Abstract: A bi-convex solid immersion lens is disclosed. Unlike conventional plano-convex solid immersion lenses having a flat bottom surface, the disclosed lens has a convex bottom surface. The radius of curvature of the bottom surface is smaller than that of the object to be inspected. This construction allows for a more accurate determination of the location of the inspected feature, and enhances coupling of light between the immersion lens and the inspected object. The disclosed lens is particularly useful for use in microscope for inspection of semiconductor devices and, especially flip-chip (or chip scale) packaged devices. The immersion lens can also be incorporated in a read or read/write head of optical memory media.

Abstract: An microscope objective lens system comprises a first lens unit including a plurality of cemented lens components and converging light coming from an object, a second lens unit including a negative lens component having a strong concave surface on the image side, and a third lens unit including a cemented doublet composed of a negative lens element having a concave surface on the object side and a positive lens element, wherein the objective lens system satisfies the following conditions: 1.65≦nd≦1.8 25≦&ngr;d≦41 T360≧0.5 wherein nd and &ngr;d are refractive index at the Fraunhofer d-line and the Abbe's number of the positive lens element in the third lens unit, respectively, and T360 is an internal transmittance except for a reflection loss at 360 nm for 10 mm thickness of material forming the positive lens element in the third lens unit.

Abstract: An objective lens for use in an optical pickup apparatus in which first and second light sources are provided on a same flat surface, converges each of the light fluxes from the first and second light sources onto an information recording plane through each of transparent substrates of a first and second optical information recording mediums and has a coma aberration of 0.015 &lgr;1 rms or less when recording or reproducing information is conducted for the first optical information recording medium, and a coma aberration of 0.015 &lgr;2 rms or less when recording or reproducing information is conducted for the second optical information recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a dual-lens hybrid diffractive/refractive imaging system comprising: a first lens including a concave surface and a convex surface; and the second lens including a convex surface and a concave surface. The concave surface of the first lens is an objective surface facing the object. The convex surface faces the convex surface of the second lens, while the concave surface of the second lens faces the charge-coupled device (CCD) through a filter. Any surface of the first lens and the second lens is spheric or aspheric. Moreover, the imaging system comprises at least one diffractive surface, referred to as a hybrid diffractive/refractive surface, formed on any surface of the two lenses. Therefore, aberration is eliminated and image quality is improved without increasing the number of lenses.

Abstract: The invention relates to an objective (2) for stereomicroscopes of the telescope type which comprises three optical assemblies (G1, G2, G3), the first assembly (G1) being arranged towards the object side and the third assembly (G3) being arranged towards a magnification changer (3L, 3R). The proposed objective (2) meets the conditions 0.44≦ENP/F≦0.6, where ENP denotes the diameter of the entry pupil of the magnification changer (3L, 3R) at the maximum magnification and F denotes the focal length of the objective (2), and tan(w1)≧0.16, where w1 denotes the maximum field angle of the objective (2) at the lowest magnification of the magnification changer (3L, 3R). The proposed objective (2) makes it possible to use a stereomicroscope with maximum resolution and a field of vision which is adapted to the full range of magnifications of the microscope.

Abstract: A liquid immersion type microscope objective lens includes, in sequence from an object side, a first lens group containing meniscus lenses with their concave surfaces toward an object and having positive refractive power, a second lens group having the positive refractive power, and a third lens group having negative refractive power, wherein a distance from an object surface to a first lens surface of said first lens group is larger than a focal length f of a whole objective lens system, and a radius of curvature r1 of the first lens surface in relation to the focal length f satisfies a relation such as 4<|r1/f|<7.

Abstract: A viewing enhancement lens (18-NAIL) which functions to increase the numerical aperture or light gathering or focusing power of viewing optics such as a microscope (26) used to view structure within a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer or chip or of imaging optics such as media recorders. The result is to increase the resolution of the system by a factor of between n, and n2, where n is the index of retraction of the lens substrate.

Abstract: A bi-convex solid immersion lens is disclosed. Unlike conventional plano-convex solid immersion lenses having a flat bottom surface, the disclosed lens has a convex bottom surface. The radius of curvature of the bottom surface is smaller than that of the object to be inspected. This construction allows for a more accurate determination of the location of the inspected feature, and enhances coupling of light between the immersion lens and the inspected object. The disclosed lens is particularly useful for use in microscope for inspection of semiconductor devices and, especially flip-chip (or chip scale) packaged devices. The immersion lens can also be incorporated in a read or read/write head of optical memory media.

Abstract: In an imaging lens made of three lens sheets, the second and third lenses from the object side are shaped substantially similar to each other, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost while improving resolution. The first lens L1 is a biconcave lens having a surface with a stronger curvature directed onto the object side. Each of the second lens L2 and third lens L3 is a biconvex lens having a surface with a stronger curvature directed onto the imaging surface side, while the second lens L2 and third lens L3 have the same form. As the second lens L2 and third lens L3 have the same form, the cost of manufacturing the imaging lens can be reduced, though being constituted by three sheets of lenses.

Abstract: An objective lens system for optical pickups performing at least one of reading and writing of information by condensing a luminous flux from a light source on an information recording medium, has the following two lens elements from a light source side: a first lens element having a first surface convex to the light source side and a second surface convex to the light source side; and a second lens element having a third surface convex to the light source side and a plane fourth surface, wherein the first surface is an aspherical surface.

Abstract: A bi-convex solid immersion lens is disclosed. Unlike conventional plano-convex solid immersion lenses having a flat bottom surface, the disclosed lens has a convex bottom surface. The radius of curvature of the bottom surface is smaller than that of the object to be inspected. This construction allows for a more accurate determination of the location of the inspected feature, and enhances coupling of light between the immersion lens and the inspected object. The disclosed lens is particularly useful for use in microscope for inspection of semiconductor devices and, especially flip-chip (or chip scale) packaged devices. The immersion lens can also be incorporated in a read or read/write head of optical memory media.

Abstract: An objective lens for recording and/or reproducing information of an optical information recording medium, comprises a first lens group having a positive refractive power; and a second lens group having a positive refractive power.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to broadband optical metrology tools for performing measurements of patterned thin films on semiconductor integrated circuits. Particularly a family of optical designs for broadband, multi-wavelength, DUV-IR (185<&lgr;<900 nm) all-refractive optical systems. The designs have net focusing power and this is achieved by combining at least one positively powered optical element with one negatively powered optical element. The designs have small spot-size over the wavelength range spanning 185-900 nm with substantially reduced spherical aberration, axial color, sphero-chromatism and zonal spherical aberration. The refractive optical systems are broadly applicable to a large class of broadband optical wafer metrology tools including spectrophotometers, spectroscopic reflectometers, spectroscopic ellipsometers and spectroscopic scatterometers.

Abstract: A low magnification liquid immersion objective lens system uses an immersion liquid having a refractive index for the d-line within a range defined by a condition (1) shown below, and has a magnification &bgr; and a working distance WDL which satisfy the following conditions (2) and (3): 1.34≦ND≦1.80  (1) &bgr;≦15  (2) WDL≦0.35 mm.

Abstract: A liquid immersion type microscope objective lens includes, in sequence from an object side, a first lens group containing meniscus lenses with their concave surfaces toward an object and having positive refractive power, a second lens group having the positive refractive power, and a third lens group having negative refractive power, wherein a distance from an object surface to a first lens surface of said first lens group is larger than a focal length f of a whole objective lens system, and a radius of curvature r1 of the first lens surface in relation to the focal length f satisfies a relation such as 4<|r1/f|<7.

Abstract: An objective lens system includes a first lens and a second lens. The first lens has a first surface for allowing entry of light and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The second lens has a spherical third surface and a flat fourth surface opposite to the third surface. The third surface faces the second surface and has a radius of curvature r0. The second lens has a thickness d0 and a refractive index n0. The thickness n0, the radius of curvature r0 and the refractive index n0 satisfy a relation: d0>r0>n0d0.

Abstract: An microscope objective lens system comprises a first lens unit including a plurality of cemented lens components and converging light coming from an object, a second lens unit including a negative lens component having a strong concave surface on the image side, and a third lens unit including a cemented doublet composed of a negative lens element having a concave surface on the object side and a positive lens element, wherein the objective lens system satisfies the following conditions:

Abstract: An objective lens system for optical pickups performing at least one of reading and writing of information by condensing a luminous flux from a light source on an information recording medium, has the following two lens elements from a light source side: a first lens element having a first surface convex to the light source side and a second surface convex to the light source side; and a second lens element having a third surface convex to the light source side and a plane fourth surface, wherein the first surface is an aspherical surface.

Abstract: An immersion microscope objective lens comprises a first lens group G1 having a positive refracting power, a second lens group G2 having a positive refracting power and a third lens group G3 having a negative refracting power in the order from the object side. The first lens group G1 has a first cemented lens consisting of a plano-convex lens with the flat surface facing the object side and a meniscus lens with the convex lens facing the image side cemented together, a positive lens with the surface having a greater refractive power facing the image side, and a second cemented lens consisting of a negative lens and a positive lens cemented together, in the order from the object side. The second lens group G2 has a cemented lens consisting of a negative lens and a positive lens cemented together. The refractive index n12 of the meniscus lens in the first lens group G1 with respect to the d-line satisfies the following condition: n12>1.9.

Abstract: A portable TV telephone has an objective lens system configured to form an image of an object and an antenna configured to transmit and receive at least one of an image signal representing the image of the object, a dial signal and a voice signal carried by radio waves. A display unit is configured to display at least a dial number and the image of the object and a switch is configured to operate responsive to at least the dial number. The objective lens system includes a diffractive optical element configured to at least correct chromatic aberration produced by the objective lens system. The objective lens system includes, in order from an object side, a first negative lens unit and a second positive lens unit.

Abstract: An objective lens for optical recording media is constituted by two or three lenses cemented together and used for recording or reproducing two kinds of optical recording media having respective thicknesses different from each other with two light beams having wavelengths &lgr;1 and &lgr;2 different from each other. The cemented face exhibits negative and positive refracting powers with respect to light beams having wavelengths &lgr;1 and &lgr;2, respectively, according to the wavelength-dependent difference in refractive index of materials constituting the respective lenses.

Abstract: A lens system is particularly designed for use in an image reading device, essentially including three lenses elements, wherein two or three of them are plastic lenses.

Abstract: An eyepiece lens is constructed with, in order from an entrance side for light to an exit side for light, first, second, third, fourth and fifth lens units of negative, positive, positive, positive and positive refractive powers, respectively. Each of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth lens units of the eyepiece lens is composed only of one lens or a cemented lens, and an intermediate image by an objective lens is formed between the second lens unit and the third lens unit. An objective lens is constructed with, in order from an object side to an image side, first and second lens units of positive and negative refractive powers, respectively. The first and second lens units of the objective lens are composed of one positive lens and of one positive lens and one negative lens, respectively, and the various conditions are appropriately set. An optical apparatus includes the eyepiece lens, the objective lens and an erecting prism.

Abstract: An image pickup lens system according to the present invention includes a diaphragm, a first lens which has a convex fact formed on the side of an image surface in the vicinity of an optical axis and which has a positive power and radii of curvature at a center, whose signs are not opposite from each other, a second lens which has a convex face formed on the side of an object in the vicinity of the optical axis and which has a negative power and radii of curvature at a center, whose signs are not opposite from each other, and a third lens which has a convex face formed on the side of the image surface in the vicinity of the optical axis and which has a positive power. The diaphragm and the first, second and third lenses are disposed sequentially from the side of the object, and the first face of at least the second lens being formed into an aspherical shape.

Abstract: An objective lens for recording and/or reproducing an optical information recording medium, comprises a first lens having a positive refractive power; and a second lens having a positive refractive power; wherein the first lens and the second lens are aligned in this order from a light source side of the objective lens; first lens and the second lens are respectfully made of material having a specific gravity of 2.

Abstract: An immersion microscope objective lens comprises a first lens group G1 having a positive refracting power, a second lens group G2 having a positive refracting power and a third lens group G3 having a negative refracting power in the order from the object side. The first lens group G1 has a first cemented lens consisting of a plano-convex lens with the flat surface facing the object side and a meniscus lens with the convex lens facing the image side cemented together, a positive lens with the surface having a greater refractive power facing the image side, and a second cemented lens consisting of a negative lens and a positive lens cemented together, in the order from the object side. The second lens group G2 has a cemented lens consisting of a negative lens and a positive lens cemented together.

Abstract: A microscope objective lens of the present having, in the order from the object side, a first lens group, a second lens group and a third lens group. The first lens group comprises a meniscus lens with its concave surface facing the object side and a plurality of cemented lenses, and has a positive refractive power on the whole. The second lens group comprises a plurality of cemented lenses and has a positive refractive power on the whole. The third lens group comprises a plurality of cemented lenses and having a negative refractive power on the whole, and fulfills the following conditions (1) to (3): 2.5<f1/f<5  (1) 30<f2/f<70  (2) 15<|f3/f|<30  (3) where f1 is the focal length of the first lens group, f2 is the focal length of the second lens group, f3 is the focal length of the third lens group, and f is the focal length of the whole microscope objective lens system.

Abstract: A high numerical aperture objective lens assembly for focusing light includes a first objective lens assembly element of negative optical power intercepting said light; a second objective lens assembly element of positive optical power disposed adjacent to said first objective lens assembly element; a third objective lens assembly element of positive optical power disposed adjacent to said second objective lens assembly element; and wherein said first, second, and third objective lens assembly elements, in combination, include six surfaces wherein three or more of such surfaces are aspheric surfaces arranged so that the objective lens assembly has a numerical aperture equal to or greater than 0.65.

Abstract: A light collecting optical system wherein the position where light is collected is scanned in the optical axis direction by using a wavefront converting element capable of changing power without using a mechanical device, and aberration occurring during the scanning is canceled by using the wavefront converting element to minimize the degradation of light collecting performance due to the scanning in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: An optical system comprising three lens sections, a catadioptric objective lens section, a reimaging lens section and a zoom lens section, which are all aligned along the optical path of the optical system. The reimaging lens section re-images the system pupil such that the re-imaged pupil is accessible separately from any of the lens sections. The reimaging lens section includes an intermediate focus lens group, which is used to create an intermediate focus, a recollimating lens group, which is used to recollimate the light traveling from the intermediate focus lens group, refocusing group to generate the re-image of the pupil. The optical system may also include a beamsplitter, which creates a separated illumination pupil and collection pupil.

Abstract: A microscope objective lens having a large aperture and yielding satisfactorily corrected, flat images. The microscope objective lens includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1 having an overall positive refractive power and a second lens group G2. The second lens group G2 includes plural Gauss lens sets G2A, G2C. Each Gauss lens set is formed of, in order from the object side, a meniscus-shaped optical element with its concave surface on the image side, and a meniscus-shaped optical element with its concave surface on the object side. Preferably, each of these meniscus-shaped optical elements is formed of two lens elements that are cemented together. Prescribed conditions are set forth to favorably correct various aberrations.

Abstract: A Galileo type stereomicroscope permits an observer to change its eye-level by varying a space between an objective lens and a pair of a focal variable magnification lenses. The Galileo type stereomicroscope satisfies following condition: Z>f0/3, where Z denotes a variable range of the eye-level and f0 denotes a focal length of an objective lens to be used. The objective lens for the Galileo type stereomicroscope keeps imaging quality up to a periphery of an image field while the eye-level is changed.

Abstract: A variable viewing depth endoscope comprises, successively from the object side, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power and a second lens group G2 which has positive refractive power and is movable along the optical axis are arranged. Focusing at the near point side is made possible by moving the second lens group G2 to the object side, and focusing at a far point side is made possible by moving the second lens group G2 to an image side. The composite focal length fN during near point viewing is made shorter than a composite focal length fF of a whole system during far point viewing.

Abstract: An adapter lens for a Greenough-type stereomicroscope (SM1), the adapter comprising a negative lens group (4) and a positive lens group (5) along an optical axis (AX3). The adapter lens attaches to the objective lens side of the Greenough-type stereomicroscope. Variation of the distance (D54L, D54H) between the positive and the negative lens group allows an operator of the stereomicroscope to position the eye pieces (8 and 8′) of the stereomicroscope to a comfortable height for ease of use.

Abstract: An objective lens includes a first lens unit constructed with a plurality of single lenses, having a negative power as a whole, and a second lens unit constructed with a plurality of single lenses, arranged on the object side of the first lens unit.

Abstract: An illumination system which ensures a numerical aperture larger than the orientation characteristics of a light sources and achieves uniform yet bright illumination is provided. The illumination system includes a light source, a collector lens constructed and arranged to converge light emitted from the light source to substantially parallel light beams and a relay lens constructed and arranged to transmit the substantially parallel light beams to an objective. The collector lens includes a first positive lens group, a second negative lens group, and at least one aspheric optical element. The working distance WD of the collector lens satisfies 0.5<WD/f<1.5 . . . (1) where WD is the distance from the center of the light source to the apex of a surface in the collector lens, the surface is located nearest to the light source side, and f is the focal length of the collector lens.

Abstract: An objective optical system comprising, in order from the object side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power and a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, wherein the second lens unit is moved along an optical axis for changing a magnification. This objective optical system is configured to be compact and have favorable optical performance by adequately selecting an airspace between the first lens unit and the second lens unit as well as a power for the first lens unit.

Abstract: An objective lens including first, second, third, and fourth lens units in order from the object side. The first lens unit consists of a first lens of negative refractive power in the shape of a meniscus with a concave surface toward the image field side. The second lens unit consists of a second lens of positive refractive power. The third lens unit consists of a composite lens having joined together a third lens of negative refractive power with a concave surface toward the object side and a fourth lens of positive refractive power with a convex surface toward the image field side, the third lens unit having as a whole negative refractive power. The fourth lens unit consists of a fifth lens of positive refractive power. The objective lens has a predetermined condition for focal length.

Abstract: An endoscope objective lens comprises, successively from the object side, a first lens group G1 constituted by a first lens L1 made of a planoconcave lens having a concave surface directed onto the image side and a second lens L2 made of a convex meniscus lens having a convex surface directed onto the object side, a stop 1, and a second lens group G2 having a positive refracting power, wherein the image-side surface of the first lens L1 is formed as a diffraction optical surface. This endoscope objective lens further satisfies the following conditional expressions: E>0  (1) −2.0<fN/f<−0.3  (2) where E is the coefficient of the second-order term of the phase difference function of the diffraction optical surface; fN is the focal length of the lens having the diffraction optical surface and the strongest negative refracting power in the first lens group; and f is the focal length of the whole lens system.

Abstract: An achromat-class microscope objective lens, which has a magnification of about 10 times and in which various types of aberration are corrected in peripheral portions of an image, includes a first lens group having a cemented lens composed of a double-concave lens and a double-convex lens, a second lens group having a positive lens, and a third lens group having a cemented lens composed of a double-concave lens and a double-convex lens. The first, second and third lens groups are arranged in that order from an object. The microscope objective lens satisfies certain predetermined expressions.

Abstract: A lens element is disclosed which satisfies the following three conditions______________________________________ .vertline..DELTA.h/R.vertline. .gtoreq. 0.1 . . . Condition (1) .PHI. .ltoreq. 8 mm . . . Condition (2) Tg .ltoreq. 530.degree. Centigrade . . . Condition (3) ______________________________________where .DELTA.h is the change in height of the lens element surface as measured from the lens element vertex to its edge, R is radius of curvature of the lens element near the optical axis, .PHI. is the outer diameter of the lens element, and Tg is the glass transition point of the lens element. Further, if the optical material of the lens element includes lead, then its glass transition point Tg must be no more than 490 degrees to avoid the lead being precipitated onto the surface of the mold during the pressing, thereby forming a defect in the lens element.

Abstract: A gradient index lens component composed of a single radial type gradient index lens element which has planar surfaces on both side and a positive refractive power and comprising an aperture stop which is disposed in the vicinity of an object side surface of the radial gradient index lens element for restricting a light bundle. And an image pickup apparatus composed by integrating the gradient index lens component with an image pickup device.

Abstract: This invention intends to provide an optical pickup of which it is possible to limit aberrations within a tolerable limit without incorporating a special device for that purpose even if errors arise in thickness of component lenses of a two-lens system constituting an element of the pickup. This object is achieved by providing an optical pickup incorporating a two-lens system with first and second lenses 13 and 14 being arranged in the following manner: the first lens has a first surface 15 to receive a laser beam radiated from a semiconductor laser and a second surface 16 to direct the laser beam transmitted from the first surface 15 towards the second lens 14; the second lens 14 has a third surface 17 to receive the light flux transmitted from the second surface 16 and a fourth surface 18 to direct the light flux transmitted from the third surface 17 towards an optical disc placed opposite thereto; and the first and fourth surfaces are used as a reference during positioning.

Abstract: Objective lenses for endoscopes are made substantially of sapphire. The high refractive index of sapphire results in optical components with shallower curvatures, leading to smaller geometric aberrations, and consequently, fewer components are required to correct for these aberrations. Chromatic aberrations are less severe because of sapphire's low dispersion. The objectives may be either of the landscape or retrofocus type, and are compact with moderate field of view, low f-number, and less distortion than most conventional designs.

Abstract: A compact lens has a front lens group of positive refractive power and a rear lens group of negative refractive power. The front lens group is composed of, in order from a photographic object side, a negative lens element and a biconvex lens element having a surface of stronger curvature on the object side. Overall symmetry with respect to the rear lens group is achieved by using a negative meniscus lens element with its concave surface on the object side for the negative lens element in the front lens group. The rear lens group is composed of a negative meniscus lens element L.sub.3 with its concave surface on the object side. This provides a compact overall lens structure of the so-called telephoto type having only three lens elements, making it possible to boost optical performance while being inexpensive.

Abstract: An objective lens for a microscope including a first lens group and a second lens group. The first lens group is positioned far from a surface of an object and has a negative refractive power as a whole. The second lens group is disposed between the object and the first lens group and has a positive refractive power as a whole. The first lens group includes two compound lenses, each with a convex lens and a concave lens, and the second lens group has a single convex lens and compound lenses. The objective lens is composed to satisfy the following conditions:5F<D<15F (1)F<.vertline.F1.vertline.<2.5F (2)25<.nu.2p-.nu.2n<60 (3)0.01F<1/r<0.06F (4)1.6<n (5)where D is the distance between the first lens group and the second lens group, F is the focal length of the objective lens, F1 is the focal length of the first lens group, .nu.2p is the average Abbe number of the convex lenses of the second lens group, .nu.

Abstract: An objective lens system consisting of a first lens unit having a negative refractive power and a second lens unit having a positive refractive power wherein the first lens unit or the second lens unit comprises at least one radial type gradient index lens element which has a refractive index distribution in a radial direction from an optical axis. This objective lens system favorably corrects chromatic aberration and other aberrations by adequately selecting a value expressing an Abbe's number and a refractive power of medium for the radial type gradient index lens element.

Abstract: A REMA objective 123 images an object plane 1 onto the reticle plane 33 and has a lens group 300 disposed in the half of the objective close to the reticle. The object plane 1 lies at a finite spacing. In the lens group 300, the principal ray elevations are greater in magnitude than the elevations of the peripheral rays. A scattering surface 28 is arranged in the lens group 300 having a largest magnitude of sine of the angle of incidence of the principal ray in air with respect to the surface normal (.vertline.sin (i.sub.princ).vertline.) greater than 0.35 and preferably greater than 0.5.

Abstract: An apochromatic lens system which includes, in this order from the object, a positive first lens group and a positive second lens group; wherein the following conditions are satisfied:.nu..sub.I+ <80 (1).nu..sub.II+ >70 (2)1.1<f.sub.I /f<2.0 (3)wherein.nu..sub.I+ designates the largest Abbe number of a positive lens element in the first lens group;.nu..sub.II+ designates the largest Abbe number of a positive lens element in the second lens group;f.sub.I designates the focal length of the first lens group; andf designates the focal length of the entire lens system.

Abstract: An eyepiece lens has a single lens element having a positive optical power, and the single lens element has a refractive power of an aspherical surface and a diffractive power. The eyepiece lens satisfies the following condition:-0.0006<{1 /(fl.multidot..nu.)}+.phi.DOE/.nu.DOE<0.0002where fl represents the focal length resulting from both refractive effect and diffractive effect of the eyepiece lens, .nu. represents the Abbe number of the eyepiece lens, .phi.DOE represents the power resulting from the diffractive effect of the eyepiece lens, and .nu.DOE represents the Abbe-number-equivalent value resulting from the diffractive effect of the eyepiece lens.