Abstract: An anamorphic converter, which is disposed at an image side of an image-forming optical system, includes a first lens unit having one of positive and negative optical power, a second lens unit including an anamorphic lens, and a third lens unit having positive optical power, positioned in order from an object side to the image side. The second lens unit is removable from the position between the first lens unit and the third lens unit.

Abstract: A rear anamorph is disclosed with at least two cylindrically surfaced elements oriented in one direction primarily for squeezing or stretching the image with a ratio of less than 2:1, and at least two cylindrically surfaced elements oriented in a second direction primarily for aberration control. The cylindrically surfaced elements oriented in one direction may be moved as a group along the optical axis, and the cylindrically surfaced elements oriented in the second direction may also be moved as a group along the optical axis. In addition, the entire rear anamorph may be moved together, and a lens unit attached to the rear anamorph may also be moved with respect to the rear anamorph. With these adjustments, the two image planes formed by the two focal lengths created by the cylindrically surfaced elements in the two directions may be aligned with each other and superimposed on the nominal image plane.

Abstract: An optical lens whose focal length is different on first and second planes perpendicular to each other is provided. The optical lens is configured such that a convex element, which is formed integrally with a substrate having a flat face, has a convex curved face that functions as an optical lens and is shaped such that the curvature on a first cross section and the curvature on a second cross section perpendicular to and intersecting with the first cross section are different from each other, whereby the focal lengths on the first and second cross sections are different from each other. A groove of a substantially elliptical shape or a substantially rectangular shape is formed along the boundary between the substrate and the convex element. The optical lens is used to produce a focus error signal or is incorporated into an optical pickup apparatus.

Abstract: A projection optical system guiding and projecting a light beam from a projected object surface onto a projection surface in an upstream-downstream direction through a transmission dioptric system and a reflection dioptric system. An intermediate image surface of the projected object surface is positioned closer to the reflection dioptric system than to the transmission dioptric system, and an intermediate image on the intermediate image surface is formed as the final image on the projection surface via the reflecting mirrors, which include at least one anamorphic polynomial free-formed surface having different vertical and lateral powers. A light beam from the reflection dioptric system to the projection surface is guided at an angle to a normal of the projection surface and the transmission dioptric system is decentered with respect to a normal of the projected object surface, the transmission refractive elements prevented from being decentered with respect to each other.

Abstract: An optical system includes a plurality of separate light sources with a number M of the light sources arranged in a first direction and a number N of the light sources arranged in a second direction. Each of the light sources has an asymmetric light emission area. The light sources are arranged so that a light beam passing a collimator optical element has a beam width in the first direction greater than a beam width in the second direction. An anamorphic optical element is arranged to have a beam-size reduction rate in the first direction greater than a beam-size reduction rate in the second direction and converts the plurality of light beams from the light sources into a light beam having a symmetric beam cross-section. A light-condensing optical element condenses the light beam having the symmetric beam cross-section into a light receiving element, and the anamorphic optical element includes an array of a number of prisms integrally arranged.

Abstract: An optical focusing system for a MOPA device that produces an astigmatic optical beam that includes a pair of lenses for focusing the optical beam into a single mode optical fiber. The optical beam has separated first and second focal points of origin. The first lens is placed one focal length away from the nearest focal point of origin for collimating the light beam in the vertical plane of beam propagation, while focusing the horizontal plane of beam propagation down into the optical fiber. The second lens only has optical power in the vertical plane of beam propagation, and is disposed one focal length away from the optical fiber for focusing the collimated light into the optical fiber. The beam has a symmetric spot size and numerical aperture in both the vertical and horizontal planes of beam propagation at the point it coherently enters the single mode optical fiber.

Abstract: An imaging optical system images a one-dimensional image on an image surface by regarding as an object a light modulator element which has light modulator parts arranged one-dimensionally in a first direction, and regarding a bundle of rays from the light modulator element as an object light. The imaging optical system includes at least two anamorphic surfaces each having radii of curvature which are different on an object surface in the first direction and a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction, so that imaging surfaces in the first and second directions match.

Abstract: To obtain an anamorphic converter of the rear converter system which is especially most suitable for a converter for the cinema and excellent in optical performance, and in which an effective image surface of an imaging optical system can be sufficiently utilized. The anamorphic converter includes at least an anamorphic lens disposed on an image side of an imaging optical system, and in the anamorphic converter, when a focal length conversion magnification in an arbitrary cross section X containing an optical axis of the anamorphic converter is assigned ?x, a focal length conversion magnification in a cross section Y containing an optical axis and being perpendicular to the cross section X is assigned ?y, an aspect ratio of an image pickup range in an image surface of the imaging optical system is assigned AR1, and an aspect ratio of an effective area of image pickup means is assigned AR2, the following relationship is established: 0.9<(AR1×?x)/(AR2×?y)<1.1.

Abstract: A projection system for projecting a pattern of a mask onto a substrate. The projection system includes a projection optical system disposed between the mask and the substrate, and an optical element for correcting aberration produced in the projection optical system. The optical element has different refracting powers in two orthogonal directions or has a refracting power in one direction of two orthogonal directions and no refracting power in the other of the two orthogonal directions. The optical element is disposed between the mask and the substrate. An optical axis of the optical element is inclined with respect to an optical axis of the projection optical system.

Abstract: An optical lens whose focal length is different on first and second planes perpendicular to each other is provided. The optical lens is configured such that a convex element, which is formed integrally with a substrate having a flat face, has a convex curved face that functions as an optical lens and is shaped such that the curvature on a first cross section and the curvature on a second cross section perpendicular to and intersecting with the first cross section are different from each other, whereby the focal lengths on the first and second cross sections are different from each other. A groove of a substantially elliptical shape or a substantially rectangular shape is formed along the boundary between the substrate and the convex element. The optical lens is used to produce a focus error signal or is incorporated into an optical pickup apparatus.

Abstract: An optical adapter comprises an adapter body and a lens member. The lens member is a cylindrical lens having one or more curved surfaces, and has a function to extend an optical image in a horizontal direction. A taking lens and a viewfinder are arranged vertically, and the optical axes of the taking lens and the viewfinder coincide with each other in the horizontal direction. When the adapter body is attached to the front side of the lens-fitted photo film unit, the front surfaces of the taking lens and the viewfinder are covered with the lens member. The center of the lens member in the horizontal direction coincides with centers of the taking lens and the viewfinder in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: An aberration changing optical system to be used with a projection optical system of a projection exposure apparatus, includes an optical element having at least one of a cylindrical surface and a toric surface and being rotatable about and tiltable to an optical axis of the optical system. In another form, the aberration changing optical system includes an optical element having different refracting powers in two orthogonal directions or having a refracting power only in one direction, the optical element being made rotatable about and tiltable to an optical axis of the optical system.

Abstract: An optical lens whose focal length is different on first and second planes perpendicular to each other is provided. The optical lens is configured such that a convex element, which is formed integrally with a substrate having a flat face, has a convex curved face that functions as an optical lens and is shaped such that the curvature on a first cross section and the curvature on a second cross section perpendicular to and intersecting with the first cross section are different from each other, whereby the focal lengths on the first and second cross sections are different from each other. A groove of a substantially elliptical shape or a substantially rectangular shape is formed along the boundary between the substrate and the convex element. The optical lens is used to produce a focus error signal or is incorporated into an optical pickup apparatus.

Abstract: An optical lens whose focal length is different on first and second planes perpendicular to each other is provided. The optical lens is configured such that a convex element, which is formed integrally with a substrate having a flat face, has a convex curved face that functions as an optical lens and is shaped such that the curvature on a first cross section and the curvature on a second cross section perpendicular to and intersecting with the first cross section are different from each other, whereby the focal lengths on the first and second cross sections are different from each other. A groove of a substantially elliptical shape or a substantially rectangular shape is formed along the boundary between the substrate and the convex element. The optical lens is used to produce a focus error signal or is incorporated into an optical pickup apparatus.

Abstract: The optical demuxplixer/multiplexer architecture includes an anamorphic optical system that decouples first characteristics of a beam passing through the anamorphic optical system from at least second characteristics of the beam.

Abstract: An optical lens whose focal length is different on first and second planes perpendicular to each other is provided. The optical lens is configured such that a convex element, which is formed integrally with a substrate having a flat face, has a convex curved face that functions as an optical lens and is shape such that the curvature on a first cross section and the curvature on a second cross section perpendicular to and intersecting with the first cross section are different from each other, whereby the focal lengths on the first and second cross sections are different from each other. A groove of a substantially elliptical shape or a substantially rectangular shape is formed along the boundary between the substrate and the convex element. The optical lens is used to produce a focus error signal or is incorporated into an optical pickup apparatus.

Abstract: A light source device has a semiconductor laser for emitting an elliptical divergent beam having a light intensity distribution in an elliptical form; and a beam shaping element for converting an elliptical divergent beam from said semiconductor laser into an approximately circular divergent beam having a light intensity distribution in an approximately circular form; wherein the beam shaping element has a first surface formed of a cylindrical surface and a second surface formed of an anamorphic surface, in order from said semiconductor laser side, and satisfies the predetermined conditional expressions.

Abstract: A resin-made non-spherical optical element is a resin-made optical element made by plastic molding, in which at least one optical surface is formed in a non-spherical shape. The optical surface having the non-spherical shape includes an effective area and an area outside of the effective area located outside of the effective area. A shape of the optical surface in the area outside of the effective area smoothly continues to the shape in the effective area and is different from the non-spherical shape in the effective area.

Abstract: A variable astigmatic focal beam spot is formed using lasers with an anamorphic beam delivery system. The variable astigmatic focal beam spot can be used for cutting applications, for example, to scribe semiconductor wafers such as light emitting diode (LED) wafers. The exemplary anamorphic beam delivery system comprises a series of optical components, which deliberately introduce astigmatism to produce focal points separated into two principal meridians, i.e. vertical and horizontal. The astigmatic focal points result in an asymmetric, yet sharply focused, beam spot that consists of sharpened leading and trailing edges. Adjusting the astigmatic focal points changes the aspect ratio of the compressed focal beam spot, allowing adjustment of energy density at the target without affecting laser output power. Scribing wafers with properly optimized energy and power density increases scribing speeds while minimizing excessive heating and collateral material damage.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for producing lines of groups of lines of electromagnetic radiation of the optical spectral range in a definable area of space. The lines or groups of lines can be used as positioning aids or geometry detection aids, and they include at least one conversion unit which is at least partially transparent to the electromagnetic radiation used, and which can convert the electromagnetic radiation passing through it, especially coherent radiation or laser radiation, such that the electromagnetic radiation forms at least one line of group of lines in a given three-dimensional area.

Abstract: To obtain an anamorphic converter of the rear converter system which is especially most suitable for a converter for the cinema and excellent in optical performance, and in which an effective image surface of an imaging optical system can be sufficiently utilized.

Abstract: A laser array imaging lens is disclosed that is formed of, in order from the light-source side: a first lens component with or without a stop positioned at a specified distance on the image plane side of the first lens component, and a second lens component. At least one surface of the laser array imaging lens is an aspheric surface. In addition, one or more anamorphic, aspheric surfaces may be provided and a diffractive optical element (DOE) that is defined by a phase function may be provided, either superimposed on the at least one aspheric surface or formed on another surface of the laser array imaging lens. Preferably, a specified Condition (3) is satisfied so as to reduce aberrations while maintaining the laser array imaging lens so as to be substantially telecentric on the light-source side.

Abstract: A laser array imaging lens formed of a single lens component with or without a stop on the image side of the single lens component is disclosed. At least one surface of the single lens component is an anamorphic, aspheric surface. A diffractive optical element that is defined by a phase function may be provided, either superimposed on the anamorphic, aspheric surface or formed on another surface of the single lens component.

Abstract: An optical lens whose focal length is different on first and second planes perpendicular to each other is provided. The optical lens is configured such that a convex element which is formed integrally with a substrate having a flat face and has a convex curved face so as to have a function as an optical lens is shaped such that the curvature on a first cross section including an axis in a focus direction of the optical lens and the curvature on a second cross section perpendicular to the first cross section and intersecting with the first cross section along the axis in the focus direction are different from each other, whereby the focal lengths on the first and second cross sections perpendicular to each other are different from each other. A groove of a substantially elliptical shape or a substantially rectangular shape is formed along the boundary between the substrate and the convex element. The optical lens is used to produce a focus error signal or is incorporated into an optical pickup apparatus.

Abstract: A scanning lens molded with resin is disclosed. The lens has a first lens surface which a light beam incident to, and a second lens surface which emits the light beam. The lens further includes a first lens frame formed to project from the first lens surface, the first lens frame is provided on at least a part of the periphery of the first lens surface. The lens further includes a second lens frame formed to project from the second lens surface. The second lens frame is provided on at least a part of the periphery of the second lens surface. At least one of the first and second lens frames has approximately constant projection amount along with the main-scanning direction of the scanning lens.

Abstract: An imaging optical system images a one-dimensional image on an image surface by regarding as an object a light modulator element which has light modulator parts arranged one-dimensionally in a first direction, and regarding a bundle of rays from the light modulator element as an object light. The imaging optical system includes at least two anamorphic surfaces each having radii of curvature which are different on an object surface in the first direction and a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction, so that imaging surfaces in the first and second directions match.

Abstract: Provided are an optical correcting system which can form a linear image or illuminating light having a substantially uniform light intensity distribution without reducing the efficiency of use of light, and an exposure head which can perform excellent exposure by using the linear image or the illuminating light. Light flux from a light source is collimated by the function of a collimator lens, and the collimated light flux enters into an optical correcting system for correcting light intensity distribution. The optical correcting system for correcting light intensity distribution changes the width of the light flux at the exit position at which each collimated light flux exits so that the light intensity distribution of a linear image is uniform when the collimated light flux is formed into the linear image.

Abstract: An optical lens whose focal length is different on first and second planes perpendicular to each other is provided. The optical lens is configured such that a convex element, which is formed integrally with a substrate having a flat face, has a convex curved face that functions as an optical lens and is shaped such that the curvature on a first cross section and the curvature on a second cross section perpendicular to and intersecting with the first cross section are different from each other, whereby the focal lengths on the first and second cross sections are different from each other. A groove of a substantially elliptical shape or a substantially rectangular shape is formed along the boundary between the substrate and the convex element. The optical lens is used to produce a focus error signal or is incorporated into an optical pickup apparatus.

Abstract: A dielectric lens including a plurality of wedges being formed from a dielectric material, each of the plurality of wedges being substantially identical and orange-slice shaped and including two planar surfaces separated by an angular width, and each of the plurality of wedges having a plurality of gaps for altering an effective permittivity of the dielectric lens, wherein the plurality of wedges form the dielectric lens by connecting the plurality of wedges along the planar surfaces such that each of the planar surfaces intersect along a common line.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating linear patterns of light comprises a light source emitting a first light beam. An anamorphic system is positioned downstream of the light source and is adapted to receive the first light beam of the light source for concentrating the first light beam such that the first light beam would project a first linear pattern on a far field. A diffractive optical element is positioned downstream of the anamorphic system for receiving and diffusing the first light beam of the anamorphic system a plurality of second light beams. The plurality of second light beams overlap one another at least partially so as to project a second linear pattern on the far field of altered intensity with respect to the first linear pattern.

Abstract: The optical demuxplixer/multiplexer architecture includes an anamorphic optical system that decouples first characteristics of a beam passing through the anamorphic optical system from at least second characteristics of the beam.

Abstract: An improved corrective lens for copying pages of a book pressed flat upon a document support glass of a xerographic copying machine or document scanner. The corrective lens is shaped to fit in the space between the book pages to be copied and the document glass of the copier. The corrective lens has a pyramidal center extending into the crease of a typical book. The lens extends outwardly from the pyramidal center to form substantially flat side portions that hold the pages of the open book in place.

Abstract: An anamorphic lens for correcting aberration of a highly divergent beam from a laser source has first and second cylindrical surfaces having mutually perpendicular planes of symmetry. Each surface is defined from a generator polynomial including cross terms in two variables so as to correct aberration of light from a widely divergent source.

Abstract: Provided are an optical correcting system which can form a linear image or illuminating light having a substantially uniform light intensity distribution without reducing the efficiency of use of light, and an exposure head which can perform excellent exposure by using the linear image or the illuminating light. Light flux from a light source is collimated by the function of a collimator lens, and the collimated light flux enters into an optical correcting system for correcting light intensity distribution. The optical correcting system for correcting light intensity distribution changes the width of the light flux at the exit position at which each collimated light flux exits so that the light intensity distribution of a linear image is uniform when the collimated light flux is formed into the linear image.

Abstract: An optical system for distorted imaging of an object, especially for photographic cameras, is based on a distorting optical system (1) consisting of at least one lens where at least one of the lenses has at least one asymmetric aspherical optical surface and/or of at least one diffractive element, where at least one diffractive element has a surface with asymmetric diffractive structure and/or at least two lenses with mutual general space orientation.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes a semiconductor laser providing light-output in first and second mutually perpendicular axes. The light-output propagates in a direction mutually perpendicular to the first and second axes. An optical system is arranged cooperative with the semiconductor laser to focus the light-output inn the first and second axes at respectively first and second focal points spaced apart in the propagation direction. At a plane intersecting the first focal point perpendicular to the direction of propagation, the focussed diode-laser light-output is formed into a line of light having a width in the first axis and a length in the second axis.

Abstract: A digital cinema projector (100) for projection of color images onto a display surface comprises a light source (116), which produces a beam of light. Beam-shaping optics (130) homogenize and focus the beam of light and color splitting optics (132) separate focus beam of light into separate color beams. A first modulation optics system comprises a prepolarizer (212), which prepolarizes a first color beam; a wire grid polarization beamsplitter (224), which transmits a first predetermined polarization state of the prepolarized beam; a reflective spatial light modulator (204), which alters the transmitted prepolarized beam with information and reflects the image bearing first color beam through the wire grid polarization beamsplitter (224); and a wire grid polarization analyzer (228), which transmits the image bearing first color beam and attenuates unwanted polarization components.

Abstract: An auxiliary imaging lens is attachable to the main part of zoom lens on the object side; and is configured such that, when capturing an image for a screen having an aspect ratio of 4:3, an effective imaging area having such a size that the screen having an aspect ratio of 4:3 in a case without using the auxiliary imaging lens is just held therein can be secured, and a focal length yielding a field of view area substantially on a par with a field of view area obtained when capturing an image for a screen having an aspect ratio of 16:9 can be set.

Abstract: A 3D shape-measuring apparatus using biaxial anamorphic magnification comprises a light source that projects a light onto an object surface to be sensed. Via an electrical image-grabbing device, such as CCD camera, the light reflected from the object is grabbed to determine the coordinate locations sensed on the object. Before the electrical image-grabbing device, the light reflected from the object passes respectively through a curved reflecting mirror or an assembly of telecentric cylindrical lenses to adjust an image magnification along the light projection direction, and an assembly of cylindrical lenses to adjust an image magnification along a direction perpendicular to the light projection direction. Thereby, resolution nonuniformity with respect to near and far distance is resolved while the observable range of the CCD camera can further be efficiently changed into a measurable field.

Abstract: A 3D shape-measuring apparatus using biaxial anamorphic magnification comprises a light source that projects a light onto an object surface to be sensed. Via an electrical image-grabbing device, such as CCD camera, the light reflected from the object is grabbed to determine the coordinate locations sensed on the object. Before the electrical image-grabbing device, the light reflected from the object passes respectively through a curved reflecting mirror or an assembly of telecentric cylindrical lenses to adjust an image magnification along the light projection direction, and an assembly of cylindrical lenses to adjust an image magnification along a direction perpendicular to the light projection direction. Thereby, resolution nonuniformity with respect to near and far distance is resolved while the observable range of the CCD camera can further be efficiently changed into a measurable field.

Abstract: An optical module includes a semiconductor light-emitting device and a lens structure, which are held by a housing while being optically aligned with each other. A ferrule of an optical plug to which the optical module is to be coupled is fittingly received by the housing. The lens structure includes a pair of cylindrical lens portions, which are oriented orthogonal to each other and located at positions spaced from each other in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A beam homogenizer at least includes a first optical lens for dividing a light beam into N(n′−1) beams in a vertical direction, a second optical lens for dividing the light beam into (2n+1) beams in a horizontal direction, a third optical lens for recombining the beams that are divided in the vertical and horizontal directions into (n′−1) beams while superimposing the (n′−1) beams so that they are deviated from each other in the horizontal direction, and a fourth optical lens for recombining the beams that are divided in the vertical direction.

Abstract: An anamorphic lens for a digital projection display system comprising a projection lens and an optical axis has an anamorphic factor between 1.3 and 2.0. The anamorphic lens includes a first afocal part placed in front of the projection lens and a second part placed behind the projection lens. The first part comprises a plurality of lens elements configured for magnification in a first direction transverse to the optical axis. The second part comprises at least one element configured for magnification in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A resin-made non-spherical optical element is a resin-made optical element made by plastic molding, in which at least one optical surface is formed in a non-spherical shape. The optical surface having the non-spherical shape includes an effective area and an area outside of the effective area located outside of the effective area. A shape of the optical surface in the area outside of the effective area smoothly continues to the shape in the effective area and is different from the non-spherical shape in the effective area.

Abstract: The present invention has as its object to provide an imaging lens which can read image information highly accurately even if there are changes in environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure, and an image reading apparatus using the same. To achieve this object, in an imaging lens for imaging the image information of an original on reading means, at least one of a plurality of lenses constituting the imaging lens is a lens anamorphic with respect to the optical axis thereof, and when the temperature change factor dN/dT (1/° C.) of the refractive index dN of the anamorphic lens for e-line at the use temperature dT is defined as CT, and the focal length (mm) of the anamorphic lens for e-line is defined as fanm, the condition that |CT/fanm|≦4.30×10−6 is satisfied.

Abstract: As the output of laser oscillators become higher, it becomes necessary to develop a longer linear shape beam for a process of laser annealing of a semiconductor film. However, if the length of the linear shape beam is from 300 to 1000 mm, or greater, then the optical path length of an optical system for forming the linear shape beam becomes very long, thereby increasing its footprint size. The present invention shortens the optical path length. In order to make the optical path length of the optical system as short as possible, and to increase only the length of the linear shape beam, curvature may be given to the semiconductor film in the longitudinal direction of the linear shape beam. For example, if the size of the linear shape beam is taken as 1 m×0.4 mm, then it is necessary for the optical path length of the optical system to be on the order of 10 m.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes a semiconductor laser providing light-output in first and second mutually perpendicular axes. The light-output propagates in a direction mutually perpendicular to the first and second axes. An optical system is arranged cooperative with the semiconductor laser to focus the light-output inn the first and second axes at respectively first and second focal points spaced apart in the propagation direction. At a plane intersecting the first focal point perpendicular to the direction of propagation, the focussed diode-laser light-output is formed into a line of light having a width in the first axis and a length in the second axis.

Abstract: A light intensity distribution converting device is formed by a transparent body having a first curved surface, a second curved surface, and an outer circumferential surface extending between the first and second curved surfaces. One of first and second surfaces has a concave surface configuration and the other has a convex surface configuration. Diverging light is made incident to the first curved surface, for example. The light intensity distribution of light made incident to the body from first curved surface is different from that of light emerging the body from the second curved surface, due to refractions at the first and second curved surfaces. The light intensity distribution converting device can be used as a collimator lens or an objective lens in an optical data storing apparatus.

Abstract: A projection system includes a light source, a deformable micromirror device (DMD) having a plurality of mechanical mirrors which pivot about respective tilt axes, and an anamorphic optical system disposed in between the light source and the DMD along an optical path, the anamorphic optical system providing a higher magnification along a first axis and a lower magnification along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, wherein the first axis is aligned perpendicular to the tilt axes of the mirrors. The light source may have a pre-distorted shape which corresponds to the shape of the DMD as imaged through the anamorphic optical system. For example, the light source has the shape of a parallelogram.

Abstract: An anamorphic lens for a digital projection display system comprising a projection lens and an optical axis has an anamorphic factor between 1.3 and 2.0. The anamorphic lens includes a first afocal part placed in front of the projection lens and a second part placed behind the projection lens. The first part comprises a plurality of lens elements configured for magnification in a first direction transverse to the optical axis. The second part comprises at least one element configured for magnification in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.