Abstract: An optical element Ggi1 includes a medium that has a refractive index distribution. This optical element satisfies conditions of |?F(pmax)??gF(pmin)|?0.02, |??gFgi(p1)|?0.0272, ??gdgi(p1)|?0.0250, and |?gFgi(pmaxgi)??gFgi(pmingi)|?0.1.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a metamaterial including a first conducting layer, a second conducting layer, and a dielectric layer located between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer. Each conducting layer has holes formed therethrough, for example as an array of holes formed through the metamaterial. The holes are configured so that the metamaterial has a gradient refractive index at an operational wavelength. The operational wavelength may be an IR or visible wavelength. The apparatus may be an optical element, and for example may have the functionality of a lens or prism through the refractive index gradient. Interfaces may be parallel planar interfaces.

Abstract: The manufacture of a GRIN lens using a sol-gel process includes forming a wet gel from an alcohol solution containing a silicon alkoxide, a dopant alkoxide, and an aluminum alkoxide, first, an alcohol solution containing the silicon alkoxide and the aluminum alkoxide as is prepared, and then the dopant alkoxide is mixed thereto.

Abstract: An imaging lens comprises a first, a second, a third, and a fourth lens group from an object toward an image. The first lens group includes a first lens that is a convex meniscus lens with a convex surface on the object side. The second lens group includes a second lens having a positive refractive power, and a third lens bonded to the second lens and having a negative refractive power. The third lens group includes a fourth lens having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens bonded to the fourth lens and having a positive refractive power. The fourth lens group includes a sixth lens having a positive refractive power. The imaging lens satisfies the condition 0.10<D/f<0.19 where D denotes a sum of an air gap between the first lens and the second lens and an air gap between the fifth lens and the sixth lens, and f denotes a focal length of the entirety of the imaging lens with respect to an e-ray.

Abstract: A concave lens as an optical component is made of glass containing 20 to 22% of B2O3, 30 to 40% of La2O3, and 19 to 25% of ZnO, expressed as wt %. The concave lens has a thickness t1 in its center portion of 0.5 mm or less, and a ratio (W/t1) of a diameter W with respect to the thickness t1 of 24 or more. The concave lens can be produced suitably by press forming.

Abstract: An optical die, which is intended to be placed in front of an optical sensor of a semiconductor component, has an optically useful zone having an optical axis and exhibiting a variable refractive index. Specifically the refractive index of the die is variable in an annular peripheral zone lying between a radius Ru enveloping the useful zone and a smaller radius Ro. The index is varies as a function of radial distance from a higher value near the smaller radius Ro to a lower value near the radius Ru. The function of the variable refractive index lies between a maximum and minimum profile.

Abstract: Eyewear exhibiting a variable light transmittance functionality is achieved by including a smart lens incorporating an electrochromic (EC) polymer, switchable between a first state and a second state in response to a voltage selectively applied thereto. The smart eyewear includes the smart lens, a voltage source, and a support. The EC polymer transmits more light in the first state than in the second state, because changing the state of the EC polymer varies the light transmittance of the smart lens. The voltage source is configured to provide the voltage required to switch the EC polymer between the first state and the second state, while the support member is configured to support the smart lens and enable a user to wear the smart eyewear. Embodiments can include sensors and controllers to automate the switching, as well as energy harvesting elements to increase battery life.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a solid immersion lens includes meta-material slabs formed from multiple layers of at least two different compositions. Each meta-material slab has a first effective index of refraction. The meta-material slabs are adapted to propagate an evanescent wave in a direction parallel to an axis to form a cone-shaped wave along the axis. The solid immersion lens further includes a core sandwiched between the meta-material slabs along the axis and having a second index of refraction that is less than the first effective index of refraction. The core directs surface plasmons that are excited by the cone-shaped wave to a focused area coincident with the axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical elements with gradient structure, in particular for holographic applications, wherein the gradient structure is formed by a refractive index gradient and a method for production of said optical elements with gradient structure.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a medium that is a metamaterial over a frequency range. The medium includes a stack of layers or slabs. A mechanical, electrical, or magnetic property of the layers or slabs of the stack varies monotonically between neighboring ones of the layers or slabs.

Abstract: An optic device includes a multilayer zone forming a redirection section for redirecting and transmitting photons through total internal reflection, each multilayer zone including a high index material having a first real refractive index n1 and a first absorption coefficient ?1, a low index material having a second real refractive index n2 and a second absorption coefficient ?2, and a grading zone disposed between the high index material and the low index material and including a grading layer having a third real refractive index n3 and a third absorption coefficient ?3, wherein n1>n3>n2.

Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems and methods for determining a characteristic of a cell, such as cell type, cellular response to a biochemical event, biological state and the like. The methods typically involve using interferometry to observe membrane properties in a cell and then use this information to determine one or more characteristics of a cell. The methods of the invention are useful for applications such as drug screening as well as diagnostic techniques.

Abstract: The subject invention provides methods for creating wavefront aberrators with a desired refractive index profile that is stable against thermal and/or solar exposure. The invention further provides wavefront aberrators produced according to the methods described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gradient index progressive addition spectacle lens that provides improved optical performance and a wide visual field. The lens comprises a plurality of axially layered lens sections at least one of which has a refractive index gradient oriented transverse to a meridian of the lens that functions as a progressive intermediate vision zone between viewing portions of different refractive index that provide the refractive powers for corresponding vision portions of the lens. The other layer(s) of the lens incorporates a generally constant or similarly changing refractive index.

Abstract: An optical article includes a plastic substrate, wherein a primer layer and a hard coat layer are formed on a surface of the plastic substrate, and the primer layer is formed from a coating composition containing the following components (A) to (C): (A) a polyurethane resin; (B) metal oxide fine particles; and (C) an organosilicon compound.

Abstract: A plastic rod lens having a cylindrical shape with a radius R including a central axis; and an outer peripheral portion, wherein a refractive index nD decreases from the central axis to the outer peripheral portion, and the following requirements (1) to (3) are met: 43??1?60??(1) |{nA×?A/(nA?1)}?{nB×?B/(nB?1)}|<5??(2) n0?n1?0.01??(3) wherein n1, n0, nA, and nB represent refraction index nD in the outer peripheral portion, at the center, and at arbitrary points A and B, respectively, and ?1, ?A, and ?B represent Abbe number ? in the outer peripheral portion, and at the arbitrary points A and B, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nanostructure comprising a plurality of nanoridges wherein the height of each nanoridge is modulated whereby to form one or more peaks (e.g. a series of peaks) along the length of each nanoridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the optimization of human visual function by correcting and/or optimizing high-order optical aberrations in high performance optical devices. The optimization is particularly useful for high performance devices used under low light conditions such as binoculars, rifle scopes, telescopes, microscopes, night vision goggles and laser eye protection devices.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to various lenses, lens assemblies, and devices using such lenses and/or lens assemblies, to various methods of fabricating and/or using such lenses, lens assemblies, and/or devices, and to various processes of making such lenses, lens assemblies, and/or devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to various lenses which may include multiple regions at least two of which may define different magnifications therethrough. Accordingly, various lens assemblies of the present invention may include multiple lenses at least one of which may define multiple magnifications and may translate, rotate or otherwise move laterally with respect to the other lens while overlapping or aligning with different portions of the other lens and while providing uniform magnifications across preset portions of overlapped or aligned regions of the lenses.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein include metamaterials that exhibit negative permittivity and negative permeability at optical frequencies, methods for preparing such materials, and devices prepared from same.

Abstract: The manufacture of a GRIN lens using a sol-gel process includes forming a wet gel from an alcohol solution containing a silicon alkoxide, a dopant alkoxide, and an aluminum alkoxide, first, an alcohol solution containing the silicon alkoxide and the aluminum alkoxide as is prepared, and then the dopant alkoxide is mixed thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gradient index progressive addition spectacle lens that provides improved optical performance and a wide visual field. The lens comprises a plurality of axially layered and bonded lens sections of continuous curvature at least one of which has a refractive index gradient oriented transverse to a meridian of the lens that functions as a progressive intermediate vision zone between viewing portions of different refractive index that provide the refractive powers for corresponding vision portions of the lens. The other layer(s) of the lens incorporates a generally constant or similarly changing refractive index.

Abstract: The lens of the present invention relates to multifocal spectacle lenses, including bifocal and trifocal lenses, with improved cosmetic appearance, optical performance and wide visual field. The lens comprises a plurality of axially layered and bonded lens sections of continuous curvature at least one of which has a changing refractive index incorporating a refractive index blend area oriented transverse to a meridian of the lens. The blend eliminates visibility of the joining area of adjacent portions of generally constant refractive index and the abrupt magnification shift and image jump typical of segmented multifocal lenses. The areas of generally constant refractive index provide the refractive powers for corresponding discrete vision portions of the lens. The other layer(s) of the lens incorporates a constant or similarly changing refractive index.

Abstract: A lens, a lens array and imaging device and system containing a lens, and a method of forming a lens array and an imaging device and system containing a lens. Each lens has varying reflection indices in a radial direction.

Abstract: A distributed refractive index lens and method of producing the lens are disclosed. The lens has a plurality of areas having refractive index distributions, and includes a plate-like member containing polysilane. The refractive index distribution of these areas is a distribution that includes a change in a refractive index in a direction parallel to a plane of the plate-like member, and includes a substantial uniform refractive index in a direction perpendicular to the plane.

Abstract: A lens includes a gradient index of refraction and a curved shape. A method of making the lens includes forming a plurality of layers, forming a shaped resist on the plurality of layers, and etching the resist and the plurality of layers to transfer the shape of the resist into the plurality of layers.

Abstract: The subject invention provides methods for creating wavefront aberrators with a desired refractive index profile that is stable against thermal and/or solar exposure. The invention further provides wavefront aberrators produced according to the methods described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the optimization of human visual function by correcting and/or optimizing high-order optical aberrations in high performance optical devices. The optimization is particularly useful for high performance devices used under low light conditions such as binoculars, rifle scopes, telescopes, microscopes, night vision goggles and laser eye protection devices.

Abstract: An article includes an optical device. The optical device includes a first lens and a second lens. The first lens includes an optically active material that responds to an external stimulus that affects a refractive index of at least a portion of the first lens. A method for making a method of use of the article is also provided.

Abstract: One exemplary metamaterial is formed from a plurality of individual unit cells, at least a portion of which have a different permeability than others. The plurality of individual unit cells are arranged to provide a metamaterial having a gradient index along at least one axis. Such metamaterials can be used to form lenses, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a medium that is a metamaterial over a frequency range. The medium includes a stack of layers or slabs. A mechanical, electrical, or magnetic property of the layers or slabs of the stack varies monotonically between neighboring ones of the layers or slabs.

Abstract: An optical member includes high refractive index layers having a great refractive index and low refractive index layers having a small refractive index, which are each relatively thin as compared with an optical length, disposed alternately in the lateral direction as to an optical axis. Each width of the high refractive index layers and the low refractive index layers is equal to or smaller than the wavelength order of incident light.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system providing a microlens having a substantially flat upper surface and having a plurality of holes arranged in a pattern in a microlens material which produces a focal point at a desired location.

Abstract: Solid state lenses, lens blanks, and lens components formed of compressible mixed powders of two or more optical substances where the mixing ratio has been deliberately varied from place to place within the volume of the optical component to produce optically useful variations in the local refractive. The compressible mixed powders are ground as fine powders having mechanical properties that make them capable of being formed into cohesive monolithic masses that are low in scattering. The fine powders may be admixtures of host matrix materials and others which, when combined, provide preferred optical properties such as index and dispersion. Parts possessing transmission from within the range from the ultraviolet to the infrared are possible. The materials are suited to low temperature formation of aspheric lenses transmissive in the near and far IR.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clad glass composition that is excellent in devitrification resistance and that prevents the whole mother glass rod from devitrifying by preventing a core glass composition from devitrifying in forming a mother glass rod using a concentric crucible drawing method. The clad glass composition forms a clad of a mother glass rod for a gradient-index rod lens having a core/clad structure. The clad glass composition includes the following components, indicated by mol %: 45 to 65% SiO2; 0.5 to 10% TiO2; 0 to 15% B2O3; 0 to 7% Al2O3; 0.1 to 10% Bi2O3; 0 to 5% Li2O; 5 to 30% Na2O; 0 to 10% K2O; 0 to 15% MgO; 0 to 10% CaO; 0 to 10% SrO; 0.

Abstract: An eye piece (EL1) is formed having a first lens (L1) having a positive refractive power and a second lens (L2) having a positive refractive power, which are disposed in order from an object (O), and a contact multi-layer diffractive optical element (DOE), which has a first optical element (51) formed with a relief pattern and a second optical element (52) which is in contact with the surface of the first optical element (51) where the relief pattern is formed, is disposed on an optical surface of the first lens (L1) or the second lens (L2).

Abstract: A lens array has a plurality of rod lenses with optical axes in parallel with one another, in which the rod lens has a refractive-index distribution in a radial direction. The lens array has a radius ratio r0/r set to 0.9 or smaller, in which a radius r of the rod lens is set as the radius of the rod lens when the refractive-index distribution is formed, and in which a radius r0 of the rod lens is set as the radius of the rod lens when all or part of an outer periphery of the rod lens is removed after formation of the refractive-index distribution.

Abstract: An optical fiber coupling part that reduces the difficulty in adjusting cores, minimizes coupling loss, and prevents optical characteristics from deteriorating. An optical fiber is fused to one end of a GRIN lens which includes a quartz glass containing one or more refractive index regulating substances selected from Sb2O3, Ta2O5, TiO2 or ZrO2. Optical characteristics are not deteriorated because an adhesive is not used, and self-alignment effects facilitate adjustment of the cores of the GRIN lens and the optical fiber. Furthemore, coupling loss can be minimized by setting a refractive index distribution constant g of the GRIN lens within an appropriate range.

Abstract: A lens includes a gradient index of refraction and a curved shape. A method of making the lens includes forming a plurality of layers, forming a shaped resist on the plurality of layers, and etching the resist and the plurality of layers to transfer the shape of the resist into the plurality of layers.

Abstract: Examples of the present invention include a gradient index element formed from a material such as a metamaterial, the material having an index profile and an index gradient profile, where the index profile includes at least one discontinuity and the index gradient profile is substantially continuous.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a graded refractive index optical element, the method being capable of easily forming a graded refractive index distribution in a desired portion of a glass substrate without the need for a specific treatment atmosphere, and without using a molten salt. More specifically, the present invention provides a method of producing a graded refractive index optical element comprising applying a paste containing a copper compound, an organic resin and an organic solvent to a glass substrate containing an alkali metal component as a glass component, and then performing heat treatment at a temperature below the softening temperature of the glass substrate.

Abstract: Examples of the present invention include a gradient index element formed from a material such as a metamaterial, the material having an index profile and an index gradient profile, where the index profile includes at least one discontinuity and the index gradient profile is substantially continuous.

Abstract: An optical article includes a plastic substrate and, formed on a surface thereof, a primer layer and a hard coat layer, wherein the primer layer is formed from a coating composition containing the following components (A) to (C): (A) a polyurethane resin; (B) metal oxide fine particles; and (C) an organosilicon compound, and the hard coat layer is formed from a coating composition containing the following component (D): (D) metal oxide fine particles which do not contain titanium oxide.

Abstract: A device for magnifying an object comprising an SSID having at least one imaging array disposed on a distal end thereof. The device further comprises a first optical element disposed on the distal end of the SSID wherein the first optical element has a distal end and a proximal end defining a first longitudinal length. A GRIN lens is disposed on the distal end of the first optical element and a second optical element is disposed on the distal end of the GRIN lens defining a second longitudinal length. The first longitudinal length and the second longitudinal length are configured such that when viewing the object at a predetermined wavelength of light, the object is magnified at a predetermined level of magnification and the focal plane of the magnified object is aligned at the proximal end of the first optical element.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device that, even if the optical axis of the multifocal lens has a deviation resulting from its decentered surfaces, can prevent an image from being deteriorated by the low precision lens. The imaging device 1 comprises a solid state image sensor 6 for taking an image of an object to produce an image signal indicative of the image, an aspherical single focus lens 2, a bifocal lens 3 disposed in front of the solid state image sensor 6, the bifocal lens 3 having two focal distances, and an aperture diaphragm 4 located just before the bifocal lens 3.

Abstract: An anti-reflection coating comprising first to seventh layers formed on a substrate in this order, the first layer being an alumina-based layer, the seventh layer being a porous, silica-based layer, and each of the first to seventh layers having predetermined refractive index and optical thickness in a wavelength range of 400-700 nm.

Abstract: One exemplary metamaterial is formed from a plurality of individual unit cells, at least a portion of which have a different permeability than others. The plurality of individual unit cells are arranged to provide a metamaterial having a gradient index along at least one axis. Such metamaterials can be used to form lenses, for example.

Abstract: A glass composition suitable for producing a graded-refractive-index rod lens having an angular aperture of 16-20° without containing lead or thallium and a graded-refractive-index rod lens produced from the composition are provided. The composition is a base glass composition for graded-refractive-index rod lenses, characterized by comprising, in terms of % by mole, 20?SiO2?52, 1?B2O3?30, 12?Li2O?18, 8?Na2O?15, 0?MgO?15, 0?SrO?10, 0?BaO?10, 0?ZnO?15, 0?TiO2?15, 0?Nb2O5?5, 0?Ta2O5?5, and 3<Bi2O3?13, provided that 45?SiO2+B2O3?65, 9?MgO+ZnO+TiO2?25, and 0?Nb2O5+Ta2O5?5, and by containing substantially no lead and substantially no thallium.

Abstract: A lens unit (20) includes a lens body (24) and a thin film (22) provided thereon. The thin film comprises a plurality of sections (220, 222, 224) from a center to a periphery. Each section has a different refractive index. The refractive index of the each section of the thin film increases from the center to the periphery of the lens body/thin film. Such a lens unit can be advantageously incorporated into a compact digital camera.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a miniaturized optically imaging system with high lateral and axial resolution for endomicroscopic applications. To provide a miniaturized optical head which permits an appreciable increase in photon efficiency with high lateral and axial spatial resolution compared to conventional GRIN optics the plane side of a refractive, plano-convex, homogeneous lens defines a plane entrance surface of the optical system, and first and second GRIN lenses are arranged along the optical axis orthogonal to the entrance surface, wherein the first GRIN lens being arranged downstream of the refractive lens for reducing the divergence of the highly divergent light bundle transmitted from the object through the refractive lens, and the second GRIN lens being provided for adapting the light bundle transmitted by the first GRIN lens to the aperture and object field size of the downstream transmission system.