Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and lubricant composition for an adjustable wedge that utilizes the relative positioning of adjacently disposed convex and concave surfaces with equal spherical or cylindrical curvatures contacted together by a thin layer of lubricant.

Abstract: A variable focus lens is constructed by making small changes in the equatorial diameter of an elastically deformable lens. The lens may be deformed by radial tension exerted in a plane generally perpendicular to the optical axis. The radial tension may be exerted by radially acting mechanical apparatus or by means of rings embedded or attached at the equator of the lens, whose diameter can be altered by heating, or by imposition of electrical or magnetic fields.

Abstract: Systems and methods of achieving optimal light transmittance through a gas and light transmittance region. This invention is directed at the application of specific activated carbon based materials for the protection of imaging lenses which are targeting optimal transmittance at specific wavelengths. Specifically, it outlines a use of a specific type of carbon to obtain improved/constant transmittance at a specific wavelength or range of wavelengths. In addition, it also presents the use of a mixture of activated carbon types in order to obtain improved/constant transmissions over a broad range of wavelengths.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an optoelectronic imaging system for industrial applications having at least two optical lenses (1, 2) which are spaced apart from one another and an electronic image sensor (8), wherein the imaging sharpness on the image sensor (8) and the imaging scale (zoom) are mechanically adjustable by means of a control unit.

Abstract: A technique for introducing variable phase delay across portions of a spatially coherent light beam, such as a laser, without changing the focal length of the portions of the beam. A fly's-eye lens array is utilized to distribute the light for a more uniform illumination, but different length air gaps are introduced in the lens elements to provide a variable delay of portions of the beam. In a second scheme, a set of prisms is positioned in the path of the laser beam, in which the shape of the prism introduces variable phase delay across the cross-section of the beam.

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: An inflatable optical housing is adapted to provide a visual image and be used in connection with a separate computing device. The housing is sized by one or more bladders and at least one associated alignment member. Optical elements of the device provide an image of a display and/or an enhanced magnified image via lensing. The housing preferably is constructed of lightweight materials and is adapted for rapid inflation and deflation through a variety of mechanisms and with a variety of media. Embodiments of the invention are especially advantageous with wearable computing devices and methods.

Abstract: A colliding shock wave lens consists of a set of spark gaps capable of generating a number of shock waves in a gaseous medium which coalesce at the centre of the device, forming a region of transitory high density gas. This region of high density acts as a converging lens, momentarily capable of focusing a pulsed laser beam, timed to pass through the lens at the right instant. The lens may be used to modulate a laser beam or to Q-switch a laser.

Abstract: A variable focus intraocular lens system alters the type of medium which is located between two lens surfaces of the intraocular lens system to alter the accommodation of the lens. A continuous flow path is created in the intraocular lens system which controls the flow of fluid into the optical zone of the intraocular lens. The continuous flow path contains multiple discrete segments of fluid which move through the fluid path of the lens system. The fluid segments can include segments of positively charged fluids, negatively charged fluids, air, oil, water or other fluids. The electric potential that is generated when the ciliary body contracts and relaxes is used to attract and repel certain charged fluid segments to control the type of media that is contained in the optical zone of the lens. By varying the type of media contained in the optical zone, the accommodation of the intraocular lens system can be altered.

Abstract: A method of reproducing a mirage-like phenomenon which comprises forming a structure comprising at least two see-through phases wherein the density of a lower phase in contact with an upper phase is larger than that of the upper phase, the density ratio (A) therebetween is 1<A<50 and the interface between the lower phase and the upper phase has an even or curved surface.

Abstract: An optical deflection device for redirecting and/or focusing a high-power collimated beam of light, comprising an optically transparent gas-filled hollow sphere, and a plurality of gas-filled lenses positioned within the sphere. When photorefractive or optically non-linear gases are used within the sphere and lenses, a second beam of light made to travel along the path of the original beam, will result in a local change of refractive index of the gas, thereby altering the path of the original beam. In separate embodiments thereof, the lenses may be mechanically repositioned, the internal pressure of the sphere varied, or a combination of these and the foregoing accomplished.

Abstract: A variable focal length lens integrated onto a silicon wafer. A light transmitting material such as gas or liquid is entrapped in a cavity in the wafer. The cavity has a flexible, light transmitting wall. The wall provides one surface of the lens. When the material inside the cavity is heated or cooled, the wall flexes and the focal length of the lens changes. The lens is suitable for use in temperature and pressure sensors, fiber optic communication networks, optical computers, and other applications.

Abstract: This invention describes a method and an apparatus for refracting a laser beam. The beam can be collimated, focused, or expanded in passage through a series of in-line, orthogonally-mounted modules, each of which utilizes a fully-developed thermal boundary layer within a flow, between two cooled (or heated) parallel plates to produce beam refraction. The laser beam, in passage through this device, traverses only fully-developed thermal boundary layers which generate parabolic density and refractive index profiles, hence produce an undistorted gas lens. Two (three) diverger modules can be mounted in line to produce an emerging beam which is an undistorted, spherical-wave-front diverging (or collimated or focused) beam of elliptical (circular) cross section and the same beam quality as the input beam. This gas lens is usable at high beam power densities much above those that conventional optical materials can withstand.