Abstract: An optical subsystem of a near-eye display system provides for projecting light of a virtual image of image content to an eye location, and provides for collecting light of the virtual image onto an exit pupil on a surface proximate to an outer surface of an eye when at the eye location. A subpupil modulator within an aperture in cooperation with the optical subsystem provides for forming a plurality of subpupils within the exit pupil, and provides for less than all of the light of the virtual image associated with one or more less than all of the plurality of subpupils to be projected to the eye location. In various independent aspects: at least two subpupils overlap by at least 20 percent; and the intensities of the subpupils are individually and independently controlled.

Abstract: Provided is a camera lens of a catadioptric optical system, consisting of two lens assemblies and one lens group and having a small height, a narrow angle, and good optical characteristics. The camera lens includes: a first lens assembly including an object side surface having a first refractive surface and a second reflective surface in a peripheral region and a central region thereof, and an image side surface having a second refractive surface, a fifth refractive surface and a sixth refractive surface that are sequentially arranged from a peripheral region to a central region thereof; a second lens assembly including an object side surface having a third refractive surface and a fourth refractive surface that are sequentially arranged from a peripheral region to a central region thereof, and an image side surface having a first reflective surface; and a third lens group having a refractive power.

Abstract: A virtual image display device includes an image element configured to display an image, a first lens disposed in an extraction position of image light and including at the image element side thereof a convex surface, a second lens disposed further toward the image element side than the first lens and including a concave surface bonded to the convex surface of the first lens, a half mirror provided in a bonding portion for bonding together the convex surface and the concave surface, a transmission/reflection selection member provided at a light emitting side of the first lens and configured to selectively perform transmission or reflection of the light depending on a polarization state of the light, and a light-guiding portion keeping close contact between the image element and the second lens and configured to guide the image light.

Abstract: A half mirror 21 provided in an optical path bends the optical path, and a semi-transmissive polarizing plate 23 increases the transmittance of image light GL in a direction along alignment of the eyes of an observer while the virtual image display device has a wide angle of view and is downsized, thus reducing luminance unevenness between the central region and the peripheral region in the image in the direction and allowing the observer to view a high quality image.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting an optimal focal plane of a lithographic projection objective lens, the apparatus including: an illumination device, a beam splitting device, a lens array, a mask plate, a reflecting device, a photoelectric detector and a controller. The illumination device generates a collimated beam, which is transmitted through the beam splitting device, focused by the lens array to the mask plate for spatial-filtering, and delivered to the lithographic projection objective lens. The reflecting device reflects a focused beam passing through the lithographic projection objective lens to generate a reflected beam. The photoelectric detector detects an intensity of the reflected beam from the reflecting device after being spatial-filtered via the mask plate and generates a beam intensity signal. The controller controls a movement of a workpiece table and/or collects the beam intensity signal generated by the photoelectric detector.

Abstract: Provided is an optical element that has at least a first optical component, a third optical component. A surface of the second optical component facing the first optical component has a convex shape and a surface of the third optical component facing the second optical component has a concave shape. At least one of the first optical component and the second optical component and the second optical component and the third optical component are bonded by an adhesive layer. The condition 0.2?Ead2/Ead1?0.5 is satisfied, where Ead1 is an elastic modulus of the adhesion layer at 20 degrees Celsius and Ead2 is an elastic modulus of the adhesion layer at 60 degrees Celsius. The condition of 0.25??1/?3<1.0 is also satisfied, where a1 and a3 are coefficients of linear expansion of the first optical component and the third optical component at 20 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Abstract: A one-piece optical element for focusing an input bundle of collimated rays around an optical axis in a focal region around a focal point. The optical element is bounded on the entry side by a truncated cone centered relative to the optical axis with a top surface pointing toward the light entry and bounded on the exit side by a cone with a cone tip pointing toward the light exit on the optical axis and a rotationally symmetric aspheric boundary surface arranged around the cone. The cone is formed as a complementary cone to the truncated cone. The aspheric boundary surface is formed as a partial surface of the convex surface of a plano-convex aspheric converging lens with a focal point located behind the light exit of the optical element on the optical axis.

Abstract: Radiation receiver apparatus with a radiation receiver and a radiation entrance face, wherein the radiation receiver includes an active region that detects radiation with a target wavelength in the near-infrared, an optical element is arranged between the radiation entrance face and the radiation receiver, an optical axis of the optical element extends through the radiation receiver, the optical element is shaped and arranged relative to the radiation receiver such that, of radiation incident on the radiation entrance face at an angle of greater than or equal to 40° to the optical axis, at most 10% is incident on the radiation receiver, and a visible light filter is formed between the radiation receiver and the radiation entrance face.

Abstract: A Wynne-Dyson projection lens for use in an ultraviolet optical lithography system is disclosed, wherein the projection lens is configured to have reduced susceptibility to damage from ultraviolet radiation. The projection lens utilizes lens elements that are made of optical glasses that are resistant to damage from ultraviolet radiation, but that also provide sufficient degrees of freedom to correct aberrations. The glass types used for the lens elements are selected from the group of optical glasses consisting of: fused silica, S-FPL51Y, S-FSL5Y, BSM51Y and BAL15Y.

Abstract: An IR microscope (1) is constituted such that, in an optical viewing mode in a beam path of visible light (VIS-R, VIS-T), a first intermediate focus (ZW1) is imaged onto a flat detector surface (15a) of a camera. The IR microscope (1) is constituted such that, in the beam path of the visible light (VIS-R, VIS-T), the first intermediate focus (ZW1) is imaged onto a second intermediate focus (ZW2), and, in the second intermediate focus (ZW2), a Mangin mirror (11) is disposed that corrects a field curvature of the Cassegrain objective (4). The invention provides an IR microscope in which the field curvature generated by the Cassegrain objective is corrected in a simple manner in the optical viewing mode when detection is performed using a flat detector and without restricting the spectral range of the IR microscope.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes an illumination system that receives a first beam and produces second and third beams from the first beam and a catadioptric objective that directs the second beam to reflect from a wafer. A first sensor detects a first image created by the reflected second beam. A refractive objective directs the third beam to reflect from the wafer, and a second sensor detects a second image created by the reflected third beam. The first and second images can be used for CD measurements. The second beam can have a spectral range from about 200 nm to about 425 nm, and the third beam can have a spectral range from about 425 nm to about 850 nm. A third sensor may be provide that detects a third image created by the third beam reflected from the wafer. The third image can be used for OV measurements.

Abstract: A reflecting telescope optical system comprises, a main reflecting mirror, a sub reflecting mirror which is disposed at a position facing a reflecting surface of the main reflecting mirror, and a plurality of lens units which is disposed at a position facing a reflecting surface of the sub reflecting mirror. The reflecting surface of the main reflecting mirror is a concave surface, and a reflecting area is formed to be ring-shaped. The reflecting surface of the main reflecting mirror and the reflecting surface of the sub reflecting mirror are mutually facing. The first operation is a movement for focusing at an object positioned between infinity and a near position, and the second operation is a reciprocating movement for changing the focused state after focusing. An amount of movement in the first operation is larger than an amount of movement in the second operation.

Abstract: A projection optical system for use in an image display apparatus having an illumination optical system applying light from a light source, and an image display device receiving the light from the illumination optical system to form a projection image includes a projector lens composed of plural lenses, a first mirror, and a second mirror formed of a concave mirror. The projection optical system is configured to project the projection image onto a projection surface. A projection luminous flux passing through the projector lens to be incident on the first mirror is a luminous flux exhibiting divergence. The projection luminous flux reflected off the second mirror after having reflected off the first mirror is converged once, and the once converged projection luminous flux is projected onto the projection surface. A lens surface of a lens located closest to the first mirror among the lenses of the projector lens is convex.

Abstract: A catadioptric optical system operates in a wide spectral range. In an embodiment, the catadioptric optical system includes a first reflective surface positioned and configured to reflect radiation; a second reflective surface positioned and configured to reflect radiation reflected from the first reflective surface as a collimated beam, the second reflective surface having an aperture to allow transmission of radiation through the second reflective surface; and a channel structure extending from the aperture toward the first reflective surface and having an outlet, between the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface, to supply radiation to the first reflective surface.

Abstract: The catadioptric system includes a first optical imaging system (catadioptric part) causing a light flux from an object to form an intermediate image and a second optical imaging system (dioptric part) causing the light flux from the intermediate image to form an image. In the first optical imaging system, the light flux sequentially passes a first transmissive portion, a second reflective portion, a first reflective portion and a second transmissive portion. In the second optical imaging system, consecutive four lens surfaces among plural lens surfaces placed between an aperture stop and an image surface have a negative combined refractive power, and a condition of ?0.52<?4n—max·Ymax<?0.14 is satisfied, ?4n—max represents a maximum value of the negative combined refractive power, and Ymax represents a maximum object height in a field-of-view of the catadioptric system at the object.

Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective has a first objective part, defining a first part of the optical axis and imaging an object field to form a first real intermediate image. It also has a second, catadioptric objective part forming a second real intermediate image using the radiation from the first objective part. The second objective part has a concave mirror and defines a second part of the optical axis. A third objective part images the second real intermediate image into the image plane and defines a third part of the optical axis. Folding mirrors deflect the radiation from the object plane towards the concave mirror; and deflect the radiation from the concave mirror towards the image plane. The first part of the optical axis defined by the first objective part is laterally offset from and aligned parallel with the third part of the optical axis.

Abstract: An RF/Optical shared aperture is capable of transmitting and receiving optical signals and RF signals simultaneously. This technology enables compact wide bandwidth communications systems with 100% availability in clear air turbulence, rain and fog. The functions of an optical telescope and an RF reflector antenna are combined into a single compact package by installing an RF feed at either of the focal points of a modified Gregorian telescope.

Abstract: A system and method is described for correcting aberrations caused by field curvature with a catadioptric objective. In one example, a catadioptric optical system includes a first catadioptric element and a second catadioptric element. The first catadioptric element includes a first surface positioned to reflect a beam and a second surface positioned to focus the beam reflected by the first surface. The second catadioptric element is configured to receive the beam reflected by the second surface of the first catadioptric element. The second catadioptric element includes a third surface positioned to reflect the beam, and a fourth reflective surface positioned to focus the beam reflected by the third reflective surface. A curvature of the third or fourth surfaces of the second catadioptric element is chosen to apply a positive contribution to a field curvature associated with the first catadioptric element.

Abstract: A method includes generating a primary beam using light emitted by a light-source. The method includes generating a secondary beam using a portion of the light using a lens of a telescope. The lens includes one or more refraction elements positioned on a first surface of the lens, and the secondary beam is generated by diverting the portion of the light using the one or more refraction elements.

Abstract: An optical system includes a first optical group configured to form, at a first intermediate image plane, a first intermediate image of an object disposed at an object plane; a second optical group and a third optical group configured to form, at an image plane, a final image of the object based on the first intermediate image. The first optical group consists of a solid lens having a first surface and a concave second surface facing the first surface; the solid lens is configured to collect light originated at the object and to reflect thereinside at least twice the collected light. The second optical group includes at least one mangin mirror and the third optical group includes a plurality of lenses. The first, second and third optical groups can appropriately control axial chromatic aberration and Petzval curvature, so that imaging with high NA illumination may be performed.

Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective has a first, refractive objective part for imaging the pattern provided in the object plane into a first intermediate image; a second objective part including at least one concave mirror for imaging the first Intermediate imaging into a second intermediate image; and a third, refractive objective part for imaging the second intermediate imaging onto the image plane; wherein the projection objective has a maximum lens diameter Dmax, a maximum image field height Y?, and an image side numerical aperture NA; wherein COMP1=Dmax/(Y?·NA2) and wherein the condition COMP1<10 holds.

Abstract: There is provided a projection optical system capable of projecting an image formed on an image forming unit on a projection plane, which has an extremely short projection distance and a small size.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, an image reading apparatus includes a substrate, light emitting elements, a catoptrics system, an imaging lens, a lens position fixing unit, and a reflective surface fixing unit. The plurality of light emitting elements is arranged on the substrate in a line and emits light to a surface of an object to be irradiated. The imaging element is disposed on the substrate and receives light reflected from the surface of the object. The first optical system guides the light emitted from the light emitting elements to the surface of the object. The second optical system guides the light reflected from the surface to the imaging element. The second optical system includes a catoptrics system including a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface so that light reflected from the first reflective surface is reflected to the substrate, and an imaging lens.

Abstract: A unit magnification Wynn-Dyson lens for microlithography has an image field sized to accommodate between four and six die of dimensions 26 mm×36 mm. The lens has a positive lens group that consists of either three or four refractive lens elements, with one of the lens elements being most mirror-wise and having a prism-wise concave aspheric surface. Protective windows respectively reside between object and image planes and the corresponding prism faces. The lens is corrected for at least the i-line LED wavelength spectrum or similar LED-generated wavelengths.

Abstract: A catadioptric system includes a first catadioptric group, a second catadioptric group, and a lens group disposed in axial alignment with each other. The first catadioptric group includes a solid lens having an input surface, a primary reflective surface, secondary reflective surface and an exit surface. The primary reflective surface is a curved surface concave towards the secondary reflective surface. A light flux entering through the input surface undergoes more than two reflections between the primary and secondary reflective surfaces, prior to exiting through the exit surface. At least one of the primary reflective surface and secondary reflective surface has a continuous and smooth topological profile.

Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern onto an image plane includes: a first objective part for imaging the pattern into a first intermediate image; a second objective part for imaging the first intermediate image into a second intermediate image; and a third objective part for imaging the second intermediate image onto the image plane. A first concave mirror having a continuous mirror surface and a second concave mirror having a continuous mirror surface are upstream of the second intermediate image. A pupil surface is formed between the object plane and the first intermediate image, between the first and the second intermediate image, and between the second intermediate image and the image plane. A plate having essentially parallel plate surfaces is positioned in the first objective part near the pupil surface. At least one plate surface is aspherized to correct for aberrations.

Abstract: An imaging element array includes a plurality of imaging elements that are arranged side by side. Each imaging element is integrally molded and includes an incident surface, an emission surface, and a plurality of reflective surfaces which is provided between the incident surface and the emission surface. The imaging element includes a first reflective element. In the first reflective element, at least one of the plurality of reflective surfaces is formed on a top of a convex portion which protrudes outwardly and has reflective sidewalls extending therefrom. In the first reflective element, a width of the reflective surface, which is formed on the top of the convex portion, in an arrangement direction thereof is less than a distance from an entrance into the concave portion to the top of the convex surface.

Abstract: A projection optical system includes first and second optical systems. The first optical system includes a transmissive-refractive element and the second optical system includes a reflective-refractive element. An image formed by a spatial light modulator is projected by the projection optical system on a projection surface. A light beam that travels along an optical path that leads from the second optical system to the projection surface in an optical path between a center of the image formed by the spatial light modulator and the projection surface is projected at an angle with respect to a normal to the projection surface. An optical axis of the first optical system is folded to a folded position by an optical path deflecting unit in an area of the first optical system where the light beam entering the optical path deflecting unit is a converging light beam or a substantially parallel light beam.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a catadioptric projection objective which includes a plurality of optical elements, including first, second and third refractive objection parts. Optical elements arranged between an object surface and a first pupil surface form a Fourier lens group that includes a negative lens group arranged optically close to the first pupil surface. The Fourier lens group is configured such that a Petzval radius RP at the first pupil surface satisfies the condition: |RP|>150 mm.

Abstract: A magnification optical system forms an enlarged image of an object. It includes a refractive optical system including a plurality of lens groups; and a mirror train including a curved mirror, arranged in this order from an object side, a first focus structure configured to move the respective lens groups of the refractive optical system by different amounts along a normal line of a conjugate surface on the object side, and a second focus structure configured to move the respective lens groups along the normal line of the conjugate surface on the object side by different amounts from those of the first focus structure.

Abstract: An optical scanner, scanner apparatus, or scanner assembly, which may be particularly advantageous for use in a multiphoton microscope, includes a first drivable bending component, a second drivable bending component mounted perpendicularly to the first component, and at least one optical waveguide coupled one or both of the first and second bending components, wherein the at least one optical waveguide provides both a propagation path for a multiphoton excitation radiation delivery between a light source and a target and a multiphoton-induced emission radiation delivery between the target and a detector. A GRIN relay lens. A multiphoton microscope incorporating the scanner and the GRIN relay lens.

Abstract: Described is a light chamber for amplifying solar radiation for purposes of generating electricity using photovoltaic panels. The light chamber includes a housing; a photovoltaic panel disposed within the housing; a plurality of wedge-shaped reflectors disposed within the housing configured to rotate along one or two axes and can be directed by an integrated circuit controller; a dome lens affixed to the upper end of the housing; a fresnel lens disposed between the dome lens and the photovoltaic panel; a reflector disposed around the inner surface of the housing; and another reflector disposed at or near the lower end of the housing.

Abstract: An all-reflective afocal lens is comprised of eight-reflective mirrors which can fold the light path into a very compact and thin configuration while maintaining diffraction limited performance. Such an afocal arrangement is usable with a traditional optical imager of an appropriate aperture dimension and FOV range, or with an annular aperture optical system with the appropriately scaled aperture and acceptable FOV angles. When combined the resulting FOV is scaled by the magnification produced by the afocal. The afocal arrangement can be used in either a magnification mode or a demagnification mode. Such an afocal arrangement can be used as either a focal length extender or as a FOV switch enabling a very short length two FOV multi-spectral system with a length that can be an order of magnitude shorter than a known optical system.

Abstract: Optical systems configured to withstand operation in high acceleration and varying temperature environments, and methods of assembling the same. In one example, an imaging optical apparatus includes a primary minor made of an unreinforced polymer, a secondary mirror made of the unreinforced polymer and optically coupled to the primary minor, a field lens optically coupled to the secondary minor, and a strut having a plurality of cross-struts and mounting features configured to mount the primary minor, the secondary mirror and the field lens. In some examples, the imaging optical apparatus further includes an outer retainer disposed behind the primary minor and coupled to the strut, and an inner retainer disposed behind the field lens and coupled to the strut, the outer and inner retainers configured to structurally support the primary minor and the field lens and to accommodate deflections of the primary minor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an optical system and an optical system module, coupled to a distal end of a fluorescence emission endoscope apparatus, an optical waveguide-based fluorescence emission endoscopy system, and a method for remotely-controlled, multi-magnification imaging of a target or fluorescence emission collection from a target with a fluorescence emission endoscope apparatus. An exemplary system includes an objective lens disposed in a distal end of an endoscope apparatus. The lens is adapted to transmit both a visible target illumination and a fluorescence-emission-inducing target illumination as well as fluorescence-emission and visible light from the target. The system can thus simultaneously provide low magnification, large field of view imaging and high magnification, high-resolution multiphoton imaging with a single lens system.

Abstract: A projection optical apparatus capable of providing high image quality and having a reduced size is disclosed. The projection optical apparatus includes a light valve and a projection optical system including a first optical system having a transmissive-refractive element and a second optical system having a reflective-refractive element. An image formed on the light valve is projected by the projection optical system on a projection surface. The optical axis in the first optical system is folded both vertically and horizontally. The first group of the first optical system is contained in a space (dead space) whose lower limit is defined by a lower edge of the second optical system, thereby reducing the depth of the apparatus.

Abstract: An objective is described consisting of a monolithic body of a material at least partly transparent for a part of an electromagnetic spectrum, and whose surfaces include a first optical refractive functional area serving as entrance area through which electromagnetic radiation can enter the objective, a second optical reflective functional area serving as a first mirror, a third optical reflective functional area serving as a second mirror, a fourth optical reflective functional area serving as a third mirror, a fifth optical reflective functional area serving as a fourth mirror, and a sixth optical refractive functional area serving as an exit area through which electromagnetic radiation can exit the objective, wherein the first to sixth optical functional areas are implemented such that a center shading-free, folded optical path extends from the entrance area through the monolithic body via first to fourth mirrors to the exit area, wherein no intermediate image level is located in the same between the entra

Abstract: A system for generating and transmitting energy including prisms, lenses, mirrors, optical conduits, heat filters, light filters, and electricity filters. The lenses comprise lens systems to capture electromagnetic signals coming from any source of radiant energy. Upon receiving the electromagnetic signals, the lens system multiplies n times the intensity of the signals by a method of infinitesimal folding of signals, a method basically consisting of an overconcentration of signals folding onto themselves multiple times in order to produce substantially concentrated signals and to project the substantially concentrated signals into one single optical cable. These substantially concentrated signals are transmitted long distances as they are reflected through the interior of these optical conduits (in a conceptual manner similar to signal reflection in Tiber optics cables). At the distal ends of the optical cable three filters will extract heat, white light and electricity.

Abstract: A system and method is described for correcting aberrations caused by field curvature with a catadioptric objective. In one example, a catadioptric optical system includes a first catadioptric element and a second catadioptric element. The first catadioptric element includes a first surface positioned to reflect a beam and a second surface positioned to focus the beam reflected by the first surface. The second catadioptric element is configured to receive the beam reflected by the second surface of the first catadioptric element. The second catadioptric element includes a third surface positioned to reflect the beam, and a fourth reflective surface positioned to focus the beam reflected by the third reflective surface. A curvature of the third or fourth surfaces of the second catadioptric element is chosen to apply a positive contribution to a field curvature associated with the first catadioptric element.

Abstract: An optical system may include an objective having at least four mirrors including an outermost mirror with aspect ratio <20:1 and focusing optics including a refractive optical element. The objective provides imaging at numerical aperture >0.7, central obscuration <35% in pupil. An objective may have two or more mirrors, one with a refractive module that seals off an outermost mirror's central opening. A broad band imaging system may include one objective and two or more imaging paths that provide imaging at numerical aperture >0.7 and field of view >0.8 mm. An optical imaging system may comprise an objective and two or more imaging paths. The imaging paths may provide two or more simultaneous broadband images of a sample in two or more modes. The modes may have different illumination and/or collection pupil apertures or different pixel sizes at the sample.

Abstract: A panoramic imaging system includes a panoramic imaging lens, a relay lens, an imaging device, and a display device. The panoramic imaging lens includes an annular incident surface and a bottom surface adjacent to the annular incident surface. The bottom surface includes an annular reflective portion substantially opposite to the annular incident surface. An image light incident through the annular incident surface can be total reflected by the annular reflective portion.

Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective has a first, refractive objective part for imaging the pattern provided in the object plane into a first intermediate image; a second objective part including at least one concave mirror for imaging the first intermediate imaging into a second intermediate image; and a third, refractive objective part for imaging the second intermediate imaging onto the image plane; wherein the projection objective has a maximum lens diameter Dmax, a maximum image field height Y?, and an image side numerical aperture NA; wherein COMP1=Dmax/(Y?·NA2) and wherein the condition COMP1<10 holds.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, an image reading apparatus includes a substrate, light emitting elements, a catoptrics system, an imaging lens, a lens position fixing unit, and a reflective surface fixing unit. The plurality of light emitting elements is arranged on the substrate in a line and emits light to a surface of an object to be irradiated. The imaging element is disposed on the substrate and receives light reflected from the surface of the object. The first optical system guides the light emitted from the light emitting elements to the surface of the object. The second optical system guides the light reflected from the surface to the imaging element. The second optical system includes a catoptrics system including a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface so that light reflected from the first reflective surface is reflected to the substrate, and an imaging lens.

Abstract: A projection optical system for use in an image display apparatus having an illumination optical system applying light from a light source, and an image display device receiving the light from the illumination optical system to form a projection image includes a projector lens composed of plural lenses, a first mirror, and a second mirror formed of a concave mirror. The projection optical system is configured to project the projection image onto a projection surface. A projection luminous flux passing through the projector lens to be incident on the first mirror is a luminous flux exhibiting divergence. The projection luminous flux reflected off the second mirror after having reflected off the first mirror is converged once, and the once converged projection luminous flux is projected onto the projection surface. A lens surface of a lens located closest to the first mirror among the lenses of the projector lens is convex.

Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective has a first, refractive objective part for imaging the pattern provided in the object plane into a first intermediate image; a second objective part including at least one concave mirror for imaging the first intermediate imaging into a second intermediate image; and a third, refractive objective part for imaging the second intermediate imaging onto the image plane; wherein the projection objective has a maximum lens diameter Dmax, a maximum image field height Y?, and an image side numerical aperture NA; wherein COMP1=Dmax/(Y?·NA2) and wherein the condition COMP1<10 holds.

Abstract: A 360 degree viewing angle lens unit, from the object side to the image side thereof, includes a 360 degree viewing angle lens and a relay lens. The viewing angle lens includes an annular incident surface, a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and an emitting surface. The annular incident surface has a positive radius of curvature and symmetrically concentric around an optical axis of the lens unit. The first reflective surface has a positive radius of curvature and is symmetrically concentric around the optical axis. The second reflective surface has a negative radius of curvature, and is coaxial with the incident surface. The emitting surface has a positive radius of curvature and is coaxial with the first reflective surface. The relay lens has a positive refractive power and is aligned with the emitting surface. The relay lens is configured for condensing image light output from the emitting surface.

Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective comprises: a first objective part for imaging the pattern provided in the object plane into a first intermediate image; a second objective part for imaging the first intermediate imaging into a second intermediate image; a third objective part for imaging the second intermediate imaging directly onto the image plane; wherein a first concave mirror having a first continuous mirror surface and at least one second concave mirror having a second continuous mirror surface are arranged upstream of the second intermediate image; pupil surfaces are formed between the object plane and the first intermediate image, between the first and the second intermediate image and between the second intermediate image and the image plane; and all concave mirrors are arranged optically remote from a pupil surface.

Abstract: A catadioptric optical system of the present invention includes a catadioptric unit configured to condense light fluxes from an object and to form an intermediate image of the object, a field lens disposed at a position where the intermediate image are formed, and a dioptric unit configured to form the intermediate image on an image surface, and when ?cat denotes a smallest Abbe number in Abbe numbers of materials of the first and second optical elements configuring the catadioptric unit and ?dio denotes a smallest Abbe number in Abbe numbers of materials of a plurality of dioptric optical elements configuring the dioptric unit, ?dio<?cat is satisfied.

Abstract: A reflection mirror assembly for use in a catadioptric imaging optical system includes two curved reflection mirrors, each including a reflection surface expressed by equation (a), where y represents height in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, z represents distance (sag amount) along the optical axis from a tangent plane at a vertex of the reflection surface to a position on the reflection surface at height y, r represents a vertex curvature radius, and R represents a conical coefficient; z=(y2/r)/[1+{1?(1+?)·y2/r2}1/2]??(a), wherein ?1<k<0.

Abstract: In a projection optical system for use in an image projection apparatus illuminating an image display panel forming an image in accordance with a modulating signal with illumination light from a light source, the projection optical system includes first and second optical systems arranged along an optical path defining an upstream-downstream direction in the order described from upstream to downstream on the downstream side of the image display panel. The first optical system includes at least one dioptric system and has positive power. The second optical system includes at least one reflecting surface having power and has positive power. The image formed by the image display panel is formed as an intermediate image in the optical path, and the intermediate image is magnified and projected.