Abstract: An improved light beam combiner is disclosed that creates a more uniform light source across the UV, Visual, and NIR range. It is an optical mechanical device made up of a standard high low dielectric thin film which, when placed at a 45 degree angle between a Deuterium lamp and a Halogen or Tungsten lamp, reflects the UV portion of a Deuterium lamp and passes the visual portion while also allowing the visual energy of a Halogen or Tungsten lamp to pass resulting in a more uniform light source for use in spectroscopy.

Abstract: Films for optical use, articles containing such films, methods for making such films, and systems that utilize such films, are disclosed.

Abstract: An optical system and method comprising acquiring radiation in a plurality of spectral bands, each acquired by a discrete collector, receiving the acquired radiation in one or more of the spectral bands with one or more afocal zoom optics, each receiving radiation from a different collector, and aligning each point of fields of view of the collectors to a fraction of a pixel.

Abstract: In a display device comprising an optical region containing a plurality of pigment grains utilized for wavelength selection, anti-reflection, improvement of the light emitting performance and the like, dyestuff molecules utilized for forming the pigment grains to be dissolved in a solvent in which the dyestuff molecules are insoluble originally are chemically modified, and then the solubility of the modified dyestuff molecules in the solvent is reduced by energy transfer thereto to aggregate the dyestuff molecules, so that grain sizes of pigment grains are suitably controlled for the optical region in accordance with its use.

Abstract: A multiband wavelength multiplexed optical device for bidirectional communication over one light path. The device may use dichroic filters or reflectors, or other mechanisms for wavelength or bandwidth separation or discrimination of sent or received light signals. It may have a multitude of light sources and detectors for sending and receiving light signals such as those for optical-based communications, controls and so forth. For instance, the optical device may be utilized in transceiver systems.

Abstract: A projection lens (10) for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus has a first optical element, for example a birefringent lens (L2), that has polarization dependent properties causing intensity fluctuations in an image plane of the projection lens. These fluctuation may be produced by a second optical element (24), for example a polarization selective beam splitting layer (28), that is arranged downstream of the first optical element. A gray filter (32; 132; 232) disposed in the beam path reduces the intensity fluctuations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for chromatic vignetting in lens systems. The apparatus includes a projection lens unit having an aperture stop, and a selective filter positioned at the aperture stop. The aperture stop defines a ray bundle boundary of an image passing therethrough. The selective filter includes a transmission area having an optical perimeter based on the ray bundle boundary, and a wavelength band filter partially extending from the optical perimeter into the transmission area. The projection lens unit may be used with an illumination unit having a light source and optics conditioning the light from the light source prior to illumination of a light valve. The selective filter may optionally be positioned at a conjugate plane to the aperture stop in the illumination unit.

Abstract: A method and system for providing different images representing plural depths of field of an electronic device. The vision system has a beamsplitter for receiving an image of the device illuminated by the at least one light source, the beamsplitter providing one of the plurality of images of the device based in a wavelength of the light source; an aperture having a plurality of effective diameters based on the wavelength of light from the at least one light source, the aperture determining a depth of field of the image of the device; and an optical element for receiving the image of the device, the optical element magnifying the image by a predetermined magnification factor to produce a magnified image having the determined depth of field.

Abstract: New designs of optical devices, particularly for adding or dropping a selected wavelength or a group of wavelengths are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical filter is positioned a distance from a first lens to form an assembly with a mechanical axis. The optical filter is configured at a selected wavelength and reflecting light beams at wavelengths other than the selected wavelength and transmitting a light beam at the selected wavelength. The distance is obtained with respect to a reflection measurement of a light beam at a wavelength other than the selected wavelength such that the reflection measurement is minimized. A second lens is initially positioned towards the optical filter. Before being fixed with respect to the assembly, the second lens is laterally shifted from the mechanical axis of the assembly to collect with a minimum loss a light beam refracted from the assembly. Such lateral shift also benefits when a light beam comes out from the second lens.

Abstract: A method and system for providing different images representing plural depths of field of an electronic device. The vision system has a beamsplitter for receiving an image of the device illuminated by the at least one light source, the beamsplitter providing one of the plurality of images of the device based in a wavelength of the light source; an aperture having a plurality of effective diameters based on the wavelength of light from the at least one light source, the aperture determining a depth of field of the image of the device; and an optical element for receiving the image of the device, the optical element magnifying the image by a predetermined magnification factor to produce a magnified image having the determined depth of field.

Abstract: A single lens or optical system is used to image two different optical bands, for example visible and infrared, with the same possible adjustments in zoom and/or focus. A dual band singlet is formed of a first, larger, optical element, suitable for operating on light of a first optical band, with an aperture cut out of it. A smaller element, suitable for operating on light of a second optical band, is secured in, or on either side of, the aperture cut through the larger optical element, thus forming a dual band singlet that can operate on two different wavelength bands. Combinations of dual band lenses, lens elements, and lenses with cut-out apertures are used to form dual-band optical systems, including systems with dual-band focus and zoom.

Abstract: In an optical lens for use in an optical information recording and reproducing apparatus conducting at least one of recording information on an optical recording medium and reproducing of information recorded on the optical recording medium, by converging light on the optical recording medium, the optical lens includes: lens surfaces provided on both sides of the optical lens; and an antireflection coating provided on the lens surface on at least one side thereof. Thickness of the antireflection coating on a peripheral portion of the lens surface is greater than that of the antireflection coating provided on a center portion of the lens surface.

Abstract: Novel optical elements are provided which are capable of post fabrication modifications. Specifically, the invention includes lenses, such as intraocular lens, which can undergo changes in storage modulus after fabrication.

Abstract: A thermal imaging instrument and method is disclosed for viewing hot spots within a normally enclosed cabinet, for example, a high voltage electrical power distribution cabinet. Large and expensive thermal viewing windows normally required for thermal examination of these cabinets utilizing standard thermal imaging cameras is obviated by the use of an accessory lens assembly. The unique combination and methodology of using the lens assembly, standard thermal imaging camera and small access opening in the cabinet face allows for the retention of the safety rating of the cabinet. Further adding to the accuracy, convenience and safety of the approach, an infrared view port, together with cap and ring chain assembly, is permanently affixed to the cabinet face in relation to the small access hole. The unique combination of the instrument portion of the invention can be integrally combined in a single unit for exclusive use in detecting hot spots within a cabinet.

Abstract: In a display device comprising a optical region containing a plurality of pigment grains utilized for wavelength selection, anti-reflection, improvement for light emitting performance or else, the present invention chemically modifies dyestuff molecules utilized for forming the pigment grains to be dissolved in a solvent in which the dyestuff molecules are insoluble originally, and then reduces solubility of the modified dyestuff molecules in the solvent by energy transfer thereto to aggregate the dyestuff molecules, so that grain sizes of pigment grains are suitably controlled for the optical region in accordance with its use.

Abstract: An objective lens and optical pickup device that uses it is disclosed having an optical diffraction surface on its surface nearest a light source which may be switched in wavelength for either CD or DVD recording/replaying. The optical diffraction surface causes a selected wavelength beam to converge or diverge more than the other wavelength beam. Superimposed in a peripheral region of the diffraction grating is a step change in height (higher or lower) which causes destructive interference for light in the peripheral region for only one of the beams. In this way, an objective lens is provided that, with a simple and compact structure, enables a light beam to be converged accurately into a spot on a selected recording medium, despite the need to have the converged beam have different wavelengths and numerical apertures, depending on the recording medium used.

Abstract: An optical system of an optical pick-up includes a light source portion that selectively emits a first laser beam (shorter wavelength) and a second laser beam (longer wavelength), and an objective lens for converging the first laser beam onto a first optical disc and for converging the second laser beam onto a second optical disc. The second optical disc has lower recording density and a thicker cover layer than the first optical disc. The divergence of the second laser beam incident on the objective lens is larger than that of the first laser beam, correcting one part of spherical aberration caused by a difference in thickness of the cover layer. A diffractive lens structure is formed on a surface of the refractive lens so that the residual part of the spherical aberration is corrected by switching the wavelength of the laser beam.

Abstract: An optical component including: a substrate made from heat absorptive glass having a front surface and a rear surface, at least one of said surfaces being a crenulate surface having optical power.

Abstract: A combiner (10) has a glass reflector (11) with first and second curved surfaces (12, 13) each having an optical coating. A first prism (14) has a surface (15) which complements the surface (12) of the reflector (11) and a second prism (16) has a surface (17) which complements the surface (13) of the reflector (11). The surfaces (12 and 13) and the surfaces (15 and 17) are each primed and allowed to dry before being polished. The reflector (11) and prisms (14 and 16) are arranged with respect to one another such that surface (12) forms a well (18) with surface (15) and similarly surface (13) forms a well (19) with surface (17). The wells (18, 19) are completed with a seal (20) at a lower end (21) and bonding agent (22, 23) is injected into the wells (18, 19). The combiner (10) is placed in a vacuum chamber to remove trapped air bubbles and the agent (22, 23) is allowed to cool at a temperature which does not unduly stress the reflector (11) and prisms (14 and 16).

Abstract: An objective optical element for use in an optical pickup apparatus comprises a first optical surface including a first diffractive structure which comprises a plurality of concentric ring-shaped diffractive zones having a center on the optical axis and stepped surfaces arranged to be almost parallel to the optical axis and connecting respective neighboring ring-shaped diffractive zones; and a second optical surface including a second diffractive structure which comprises a plurality of concentric ring-shaped diffractive zones having a center on the optical axis and stepped surfaces arranged to be almost parallel to the optical axis and connecting respective neighboring ring-shaped diffractive zones. The stepped surfaces of the first diffractive structure are arranged to face an optical axis side, and the stepped surfaces of the second diffractive structure are arranged to face an opposite side of the optical axis side.

Abstract: This invention provides an optical signal processing apparatus capable of size reduction. When signal light with multiple wavelengths &lgr;1 to &lgr;4 is collimated by and output from a fiber collimator, the signal light components with multiple wavelengths &lgr;1 to &lgr;4 are diffracted by a diffraction grating at diffraction angles corresponding to the wavelengths and separated for the respective wavelengths. The separated signal light components of the respective wavelengths are output to spatially different optical paths. The signal light components having the wavelengths &lgr;n are deflected at their optical paths by prisms to increase the optical path interval and then input to fiber collimators.

Abstract: An optical communication system (10), a method (100) for parallel modulation of an optical spectrum and a method (200) for parallel demodulation of the optical spectrum of modulated optical frequencies by the system (10) are described. The optical frequencies are provided in parallel to a modulation section (14) for modulating with data bits from a data signal source (16). The data bits are associated with an optical modulator (58) that controls passage of the optical spectrum at a plurality of predetermined optical frequencies based upon the data bits. The optical frequencies of the optical spectrum, modulated by the data bits, are then transmitted via a communication section (18) to an optical receiver (20) that is coupled to a demodulation section (22) of the system (10). Modulated optical frequencies are received as a modulated optical spectrum and demodulated in parallel by an optical demodulator (92) to derive the data bits.

Abstract: One surface of an objective lens is provided with a zonal part which acts such that the quantity of light having a wavelength of &lgr;1 is apparently canceled in the outer peripheral portion of the luminous flux due to an interference effect, whereas the quantity of light having a wavelength of &lgr;2 in the outer peripheral part is kept as it is. The zonal part has such a step that light supposed to pass a position corresponding to the zonal part if the zonal part does not exist and light passing a position at which the zonal part is formed if the zonal part exists generate therebetween a phase difference satisfying a predetermined conditional expression. The numerical aperture at a boundary position of the step has a value between two numerical apertures for the respective wavelengths &lgr;1 and &lgr;2.

Abstract: An optical switching system, device, and method are disclosed that are capable of providing high throughput optical signal switching. Bandpass filters are provided for narrow-band demultiplexing of an optical signal to a plurality of switching elements. The system includes a demultiplexing device for wide-band wavelength demultiplexing to a plurality of optical switching devices.

Abstract: An optical filtering element with minimized edge effects, larger clear center aperture, and thermally stable bonding area. The element consists of a modified ball lens. The glass material that comprises the ball lens can be selected from a variety of thermally matched glass specific to the intended application such as BK7, SiO2, et cetera. The lens is polished on two sides so that the polished surfaces are nearly parallel. The polished ball lens(es) are then loaded into a coating fixture and then into a coating chamber. Multiple dielectric layers are applied to one of the polished surfaces, creating a spectral modifying filter. The other side is coated with an anti-reflection coating (some applications do not require the anti-reflection coating). At the completion of the coating run, the now polished and coated ball lenses can be spectrally measured and binned for use.

Abstract: To provide a color filter which includes a light shielding region having sufficient light shielding performance, and a transmitting region having no color mixing, and which has high contrast without pixel defect and irregularity in color tone. A color filter 1000 of the present invention includes a pixel region 100 and a spotting precision test region 200. The pixel region 100 includes a light shielding region 20 and a transmitting region 30 partitioned by the light shielding region 20. The light shielding region 20 includes a first light shielding layer 22. The transmitting region 30 includes a color element 32. The spotting precision test region 200 is positioned apart from the pixel region 100 and includes a second light shielding layer 122 and a spotting precision test layer 26 provided to cover at least the second light shielding layer 122. The spotting precision test layer region 200 includes an evaluation region partitioned by the second light shielding layer 122.

Abstract: A lens focusing system provides a lens in an optical path between a scene and a photosensitive detector to properly focus a first set of wavelengths of light. At least one representation of the scene is captured. The focal point is adjusted for a second different set of wavelengths of light. This focal adjustment may be made by moving the lens and/or the detector, offsetting the position of the lens from the first position by a predetermined amount. An alternative method would impose at least a second lens in the optical path, thereby providing focus for a different wavelength. This alternative system may include various combinations of fixed and movable lenses. At least one representation of the image is captured using this different set of wavelengths of light. The different sets of wavelengths of light can include infrared light, visible light, and subsets and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method and display system for using the light (110) passing through the spokes of a color wheel (100). The light is a mixed and rapidly changing color. Adding all of the spoke times produces white, but adding a subset creates color artifacts. The spoke times cannot all be added at the same time without altering the white point of the display. The spoke times are added in a sequence and the sequence is altered over time for the same pixel such that the pixel converges to white over time. The pattern of spoke bits is arranged so that as adjacent spoke bit pixels are added, the net spoke light converges to white. The patterns are also varied so that as more and more spoke bit periods are turned on, the net spoke light converges to white. Each spoke bit period adds n-LSBs of white light intensity, so as each spoke bit period is added, n−I LSBs of white light are subtracted from the white data.

Abstract: An optical element has a coating thereon to reflect energy, such as light, of a first polarization into a first focus zone and to allow energy, such as light, of a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization, to reach a second optical element. The second optical element, which may be reflective, diffractive, holographic, aspherical or have other optical characteristics, acts upon the energy to focus it into a second focus zone. A polarization changing element can be placed between the energy source and the optical element or the polarization can be changed by rotating the energy source. The ability to position energy into different focus zones allows for high speed processing and for the generation of useful beam patterns, such as aiming beams.

Abstract: Lenses for use with electronic imaging systems, e.g., systems employing CCDs, are provided. The lenses employ at least two lens elements, at least one of which is a dyed plastic lens element whose average percentage transmission for wavelengths between 400 nm and 550 nm is greater than its average percentage transmission for wavelengths between 550 nm and 700 nm. Through the use of such a dyed plastic lens element, the need for a separate spectral response flattening filter is eliminated thus reducing the cost, complexity, size, and weight of the electronic imaging system.

Abstract: A system is provided where a number of representative video snapshots are displayed on a timeline indicating a position to jump to in a video using control buttons, such as fast forward, reverse, or a timeline scroll bar. The video snapshots are obtained by opening a low resolution connection to a video server to receive forward looking video segments. The forward looking video segments are summarized and the representative video snapshots are selected and displayed to provide a reference frame for the user to select a timeline position, or snapshots directly linked to positions in the higher resolution video. Backward looking video segments may be similarly summarized from the low resolution connection, or alternatively from video previously played. As the video progresses, new forward looking video segments are received and new representative video snapshots are summarized and displayed in close proximity with the video being played.

Abstract: The invention provides a high quality identifiable fluoride crystalline optical microlithography lens element blank for formation into an lens element of a microlithography system. The highly qualified fluoride crystalline characteristics of the fluoride optical lithography lens blank ensure its beneficial performance in the demanding microlithography manufacturing regime which utilizes high energy short wavelength ultraviolet laser sources. The fluoride crystalline optical lithography lens element blanks are comprised of multiple adjoining abutting crystalline subgrains with low boundary angles.

Abstract: An optical pickup device which includes an objective lens having a numerical aperture of 0.7 or more collects light emitted from a light source and irradiates an optical recording medium. The objective lens and an antireflection film formed thereon are set so that the intensity of light incident on the outermost rim of the objective lens is 45% or more and 80% or less of the intensity of incident light from the light source to the center of the objective lens. According to the configuration, it is possible to provide an optical pickup device including a high NA objective lens which can suppress a reduction in the light amount at the lens rim.

Abstract: An optical system of an optical pick-up that is capable of using optical discs DVD and CD. The system includes a light source portion for selectively emitting a first laser beam (650 nm) and a second laser beam (780 nm), and an objective lens for converging the laser beam from the light source portion onto an recording layer of the optical disc. The objective lens is provided with a transmittance controlling phase grating in a peripheral region to have a wavelength dependence such that the transmittance for the first laser beam is higher than the transmittance for the second laser beam. The transmittance controlling phase grating is formed as a plurality of concentric grooves. Each of the grooves has a rectangular cross-section in a plane containing an optical axis of the objective lens.

Abstract: A luminous flux diameter variable type objective lens having a wavelength selectivity is disposed within a luminous flux. Arranged on a surface of the lens are a first region 11 with no diffraction gratings, and a second region 12 with diffraction gratings. The diffraction gratings each having a rectangular cross section are linearly arranged in the second region 12. The thickness (height) h of the diffraction grating 12A is set to such a value that the ratio of ± first-order diffracted light becomes much greater for the light having a wavelength of 780 nm used for CD-R, whereas the ratio of zero-order diffracted light becomes substantially 100% for the light having a wavelength of 635 nm used for DVD.

Abstract: A protective lens (10) for a display includes a transparent glass substrate (12) and a piece of filtering film (14) attached to an inner surface of the glass substrate. A plurality of parallel ink stripes (16) are formed on a surface of the film and are distributed symmetrically from a middle to opposite sides of the film in a predetermined pattern. A method for manufacturing the protective lens is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of (1) providing a mold having a plurality of recesses formed by etching a surface of the mold; (2) filling the recesses of the mold with ink; (3) positioning an elastically deformable body on the mold or attaching the ink in the recesses to the elastically deformable body; (4) positioning the elastically deformable body on a membrane to transfer the ink to the membrane, thereby forming a filtering film; (5) attaching the filtering film to a surface of the glass substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a high quality identifiable fluoride crystalline optical microlithography lens element blank for formation into an lens element of a microlithography system. The highly qualified fluoride crystalline characteristics of the fluoride optical lithography lens blank ensure its beneficial performance in the demanding microlithography manufacturing regime which utilizes high energy short wavelength ultraviolet laser sources. The fluoride crystalline optical lithography lens element blanks are comprised of multiple adjoining abutting crystalline subgrains with low boundary angles.

Abstract: A method and display system for using the light (110) passing through the spokes of a color wheel (100). The light is a mixed and rapidly changing color. Adding all of the spoke times produces white, but adding a subset creates color artifacts. The spoke times cannot all be added at the same time without altering the white point of the display. The spoke times are added in a sequence and the sequence is altered over time for the same pixel such that the pixel converges to white over time. The pattern of spoke bits is arranged so that as adjacent spoke bit pixels are added, the net spoke light converges to white. The patterns are also varied so that as more and more spoke bit periods are turned on, the net spoke light converges to white. Each spoke bit period adds n-LSBs of white light intensity, so as each spoke bit period is added, n−1 LSBs of white light are subtracted from the white data.

Abstract: An optical member for transmitting light of a wavelength less than about 200 nm including crystalline calcium fluoride with a potassium content less than about 0.5 ppm, wherein a degradation in a transmissivity of the optical member after an irradiation for a fixed period of time with the light of the wavelength of less than about 200 nm is less than about 5% of a transmissivity of the optical member before the irradiation.

Abstract: An optical member for transmitting light of a wavelength less than about 200 nm including crystalline calcium fluoride with a potassium content less than about 0.5 ppm, wherein a degradation in a transmissivity of the optical member after an irradiation for a fixed period of time with the light of the wavelength of less than about 200 nm is less than about 5% of a transmissivity of the optical member before the irradiation.

Abstract: A laser beam mixer combines two or more input laser beams in a coaxial manner to provide an output beam. At least one of the input beams is altered in cross-sectional profile, for example, to an annular cross-sectional shape. Another input beam is placed within the altered beam by a beam combining element having a transmissive portion and a reflective portion to respectively reflect and transmit the two input beams. The beams are combined with minimal beam losses and without diverging a beam profile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a beam of light that is substantially coherent and has a coherence length into substantially incoherent radiation. The method has the steps of collimating the beam, delaying a first portion of the beam by a first optical delay by ballistic passage through a first cell of an optical element, and delaying each of a plurality of other portions of the beam by an optical delay different from the first optical delay by an amount exceeding the coherence length of the beam.

Abstract: A laser beam mixer combines two or more input laser beams in a coaxial manner to provide an output beam. At least one of the input beams is altered in cross-sectional profile, for example, to an annular cross-sectional shape. Another input beam is placed within the altered beam by a beam combining element having a transmissive portion and a reflective portion to respectively reflect and transmit the two input beams. The beams are combined with minimal beam losses and without diverging a beam profile.

Abstract: A monochromatic image observing optical system is provided with an objective lens, a negative lens group, a monochromatic filter and a positive lens group that are arranged in this order from an object side. The monochromatic filter is a narrow bandpass interference filter. The objective lens and the negative lens constitute an afocal system on the image side, and the positive lens has a power that counterbalances the power of the negative lens group. The monochromatic filter is arranged between the negative and positive lens groups.

Abstract: In an image sensor having a photoelectric conversion element for receiving light, an illumination unit, and a lens array in which a plurality of gradient index lens elements for focusing light reflected by an original onto the photoelectric conversion element are arrayed, part of the peripheral portion of the lens of the gradient index lens element in the radius direction contains a light absorber for absorbing light having a predetermined wavelength other than the wavelength distribution of light emitted by the illumination unit.

Abstract: A light combining apparatus using two flat plates combines three separate light beams having blue, green and red wavelengths to a single combined light beam for a light source by an easier and simple small-sized device and makes the combined light beam smoothly enter the place for implementing the final information. The apparatus includes a reflection mirror for reflecting light beams with all of the wavelengths, at least one filter for transmitting only at least one light beam with a specific wavelength and reflecting light beams with the other wavelengths, and a medium located between the reflection mirror and the filter, through which the incident light beams and the reflected light beams pass, wherein the three light beams are combined into a single light beam within the medium which single light beam then exits the apparatus. A method of combining separate light beams having different wavelengths is also disclosed.

Abstract: A collimator is formed of a stack of layers (11) of different thicknesses in a way analogous to a low-pass interference filter. When illuminated by narrow-band light of a predetermined wavelength just within the pass band of the filter, the collimator preferentially transmits light incident within a predetermined angular range, usually near-normal. The collimator is especially useful with photoluminescent liquid-crystal display, having phosphor emitters (17), because the collimator layers can simply be deposited on one face of the liquid-crystal modulator (1).

Abstract: An illumination apparatus for an optical instrument includes an illumination section for outputting illumination light, and a lens made of rubber and arranged on the optical path of the illumination light output from the illumination section.

Abstract: The invention relates to photochromic transparent organic materials presenting an index of refraction of more than 1.55, which are free of optical distortions and are prepared by radical polymerization of a polymerizable composition comprising:a) 80-95 wt % of at least one monomer represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## where R=H or CH.sub.3, and m and n are independently 1 or 2; b) 5-20 wt % of at least one aromatic monovinyl monomer represented by the general formula (II): ##STR2## c) an effective quantity of at least one dye that imparts photochromic properties to the material, selected from the groups of spiroxazines, spiropyrans and chromenes;d) an effective quantity of a chain transfer agent; ande) an effective quantity of a radical polymerization initiator, characterized in that the chain transfer agent is a linear alkanethiol and the radical polymerization initiator is a diazo compound.

Abstract: Interference filters and filter arrays based on thin-metal film interference filters having at least one dielectric layer formed between two thin-metal films to form a Fabry-Perot cavity.