Abstract: In a laser light multiplexing apparatus: a collimating optical system collimates light beams emitted from semiconductor lasers so that the slow axes of the light beams become coplanar, and optical axes of the light beams become parallel to each other; a light beam rearrangement optical system constituted by prisms respectively arranged in correspondence with the light beams rearranges the light beams in such a manner that directions of the fast axes of the light beams are changed at different locations along a direction in which the light beams propagate, and the fast axes of the light beams become coplanar; and a convergence optical system converges a bundle of the light beams rearranged by the light beam rearrangement optical system, in directions of the fast axes and the slow axes of the light beams, and makes the converged bundle of the light beams enter an optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical system for enhancing the image contrast and shortening the back focal length of a projection display is disclosed, which includes a light source, a light path switching device, and a total internal reflection (TIR) prism set disposed between the light path switching device and the projection lens. The light path switching device has a first mode of operation for directing the light towards a projection lens and a second mode of operation for directing the light away from the projection lens. The TIR prism set includes a first prism, a second prism and a third prism; a first gap is formed between the first prism and the second prism, and a second gap is formed between the first prism and the third prism.

Abstract: An optical device uses in a plane image input device. The optical device comprises a body including an incident end and an emergent end. After a light beam enters the body via the incident end, undergoes a total reflection, and emerges from the emergent end. Thus, the size of the plane image input device can be minimized and the optical energy attenuation can be reduced during the transmission process.

Abstract: A high-performance and low-cost image-forming optical system with a reduced number of constituent optical elements that is made compact and thin by folding an optical path using reflecting surfaces arranged to minimize the number of reflections. The image-forming optical system has a first prism and a second prism between a stop and an image plane. The first prism includes an entrance surface, a first reflecting surface, a second reflecting surface, and an exit surface. The first reflecting surface and the exit surface are the identical surface. The second prism includes an entrance surface, a first reflecting surface, a second reflecting surface, and an exit surface. In the second prism, the second reflecting surface and the entrance surface are the identical surface.

Abstract: A color-separating and -recombining optical system includes a cubic- or square column-like first to fourth polarization beam splitters having polarization-splitting planes intersecting each other and wavelength-selective polarizing converters for rotating the plane of polarization of a specific-color light component by 90 degrees. One of the converters is placed at a light-incident side of the first splitter and another is placed at a light-emitting side of the fourth splitter. The first and fourth splitters are provided at a light-incident and light-emitting sides, respectively, of the optical system. The first and fourth splitters are arranged diagonally opposing each other. The remaining converters are placed between at least two inner facing planes of the first to fourth splitters. At least the remaining converters and three of the first to fourth splitters are joined to form an optical joint component with a gap between the component and the remaining one splitter.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lighting apparatus including a light source, an optical member that is placed in front of the light source and provided with a reflecting surface for reflecting light from the light source or prism sections each made up of a refracting surface which receives the light incident from the light source and a reflecting surface for reflecting the light incident from this refracting surface. Here, in the optical member, there is a plurality of pairs of the reflecting surfaces or prism sections arranged in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis within a plane including the radial direction of the light source centered on the optical axis. The present invention can provide a low-profile lighting apparatus using light from the light source with high efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-performance image-forming optical system made compact and thin by folding an optical path using reflecting surfaces arranged to minimize the number of reflections. A prism member 10 has a first entrance surface 11, first to fourth reflecting surfaces 12 to 15, and a first exit surface 16. An optical path incident on the first reflecting surface 12 and an optical path reflected from the second reflecting surface 13 form intersecting optical paths. An optical path incident on the third reflecting surface 14 and an optical path reflected from the fourth reflecting surface 15 form intersecting optical paths. At least either one of the first reflecting surface 12 and the second reflecting surface 13 and at least either one of the third reflecting surface 14 and the fourth reflecting surface 15 have a rotationally asymmetric curved surface configuration that gives a power to a light beam and corrects aberrations due to decentration.

Abstract: An image-erecting viewing optical system includes a first prism having an incident surface and at least two reflection surfaces, a front lens group of an objective optical system, a second prism having an incident surface and at least two reflection surfaces, a rear lens group of the objective optical system, a field stop, and an eyepiece optical system, in this order from the object. One reflection surface of the first or second prism includes a roof-mirror surface. The following conditions are satisfied: sin(????)>1/n??(1) 6°<?<16°??(2) wherein ? designates an angle between the incident surface and the first reflection surface of the first prism; ? designates a real field-of-view ? (half amount); ?? designates an angle between a light ray of a real field-of-view ? (half amount) and the optical axis within the first prism; and n designates the refractive index of the first prism.

Abstract: A fusion monitor system for vehicles which includes a sideview mirror unit having an object lens and an eye lens at both sides of a housing which is disposed backwardly from inside and outside of the vehicle and a movable reflecting mirror between two lenses to form an afocal optical system, a movable reflecting mirror driving unit for rotating the movable reflecting mirror, a terminal holder for accepting a mobile phone, a display panel for outputting the same information as that of a display window of the mobile phone through the mirror unit. According, air resistance can be reduced, information outputted on the display window of the mobile phone can be enlarged for easy viewing and reading, and it allows hands free for user's convenience.

Abstract: An illuminating apparatus has a light source emitting illumination light; and a prism having a plurality of reflecting surfaces and reflecting the illumination light from said light source by the reflecting surfaces to thereby bend an illumination optical path at an obtuse angle.

Abstract: A reflective projection display system for receiving a light ray and projecting it onto a screen in a light-state mode. The reflective projection display system includes a reflective micro-mirror panel, a projecting device and a prism set. Before reaching the reflective micro-mirror panel, the light ray is firstly reflected by the prism set. The light ray reflected by the reflective micro-mirror panel in the light-state mode directly passes through the prism set and is then received by the projection lens. The light ray reflected by the reflective micro-mirror panel in the dark-state mode is totally reflected at an interface between a prism adjacent to the reflective micro-mirror panel and an air gap adjacent to the prism.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a corner cube that comprises a first side, a second side, and a third side that cooperate to retro-reflect an incoming beam of light and output an outgoing beam of light. One or more of the first side, the second side, and the third side of the corner cube serve to contribute substantially to a decrease of over twenty percent in an amplitude of the outgoing beam of light relative to an amplitude of the incoming beam of light.

Abstract: In a laser light multiplexing apparatus: a collimating optical system collimates light beams emitted from semiconductor lasers so that the slow axes of the light beams become coplanar, and optical axes of the light beams become parallel to each other; a light beam rearrangement optical system constituted by prisms respectively arranged in correspondence with the light beams rearranges the light beams in such a manner that directions of the fast axes of the light beams are changed at different locations along a direction in which the light beams propagate, and the fast axes of the light beams become coplanar; and a convergence optical system converges a bundle of the light beams rearranged by the light beam rearrangement optical system, in directions of the fast axes and the slow axes of the light beams, and makes the converged bundle of the light beams enter an optical fiber.

Abstract: A sheet light emitting apparatus, incuding a light guiding plate of a translucent material and having light receiving and light emitting surfaces, a light source disposed to face the light receiving surface, and a prism structure provided on the light receiving surface, the prism structure having plural kinds of prisms having different apex angles.

Abstract: An optical prism 100 for reflecting light incident on its light incidence surface 12 suited for incidence of light from an LCD 20 at least twice within itself and emitting the reflected light as emitted light from a light emission surface 14 to the outside. The optical prism is coupled in use with a display element support 30 adapted to suit it. The side surfaces of the optical prism crossing the light incidence surface 12 and light emission surface 14 have projections 90L and 90R for mounting the optical prism on the display element support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-performance image-forming optical system made compact and thin by folding an optical path using reflecting surfaces arranged to minimize the number of reflections. A prism member 10 has a first entrance surface 11, first to fourth reflecting surfaces 12 to 15, and a first exit surface 16. An optical path incident on the first reflecting surface 12 and an optical path reflected from the second reflecting surface 13 form intersecting optical paths. An optical path incident on the third reflecting surface 14 and an optical path reflected from the fourth reflecting surface 15 form intersecting optical paths. At least either one of the first reflecting surface 12 and the second reflecting surface 13 and at least either one of the third reflecting surface 14 and the fourth reflecting surface 15 have a rotationally asymmetric curved surface configuration that gives a power to a light beam and corrects aberrations due to decentration.

Abstract: A highly adaptable system for creating colorful spectral displays or for achieving a prismatic effect using visible light. The invention includes a fixed-angle or monolithic prismatic element fabricated from plate glass mirror material. A compound version of this monolithic element wherein multiple single elements have been affixed to one another for the purpose of creating a more complex spectral display is also provided. The invention also includes a prism-like device that utilizes a standard mirror, mirrors, or other materials with highly reflective surfaces and water or a similar fluid that disperses light in a predictable manner at or on a specific target. Both the fixed prismatic elements and the adjustable light dispersing elements may be arranged into one or more arrays that may be used to create complex spectral displays on a variety of surfaces while utilizing one or more available light sources or a moving light source such as the sun.

Abstract: A lamp assembly including a number of light sources each utilized in conjunction with an optical element. The optical elements include a body of light transmitting material which further includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface and a plurality of facets. The facets receive light through the front surface and reflect light through the top surface. The assembly further includes a manifold defined by the optical elements. When viewed in a direction toward the top surface, a majority of the optical elements have a common shape, preferably a pie wedge shape.

Abstract: An extremely compact prism optical element, image observation apparatus and image display apparatus which are capable of providing an observation image that is clear and has minimal aberration and minimal distortion even at a wide field angle. Light rays emitted from an image display device (7) enter an ocular optical system (12) through a fourth surface (6) and are totally reflected toward an observer's pupil (1) by a third surface (5). The reflected light rays are reflected by a first surface (3) disposed immediately in front of the observer's pupil (1) and then reflected toward the observer's pupil (1) by a second surface (4). The reflected light rays pass through the first surface (3) and are projected into an observer's eyeball (15) with the observer's iris position as an exit pupil (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a beam shaping device for shaping the cross-section of a light beam, comprising at least one beam shaping unit with beam splitting means, beam deflecting means, and beam combination means. The beam splitting means are capable of diving up a light beam that is incident on the beam shaping unit into two partial beams. The beam deflecting means are capable of deflecting at least one of the partial beams onto the beam combination means and said beam combination means are capable of combining the two partial beams in such a manner that the cross-section of the light beam exiting the beam shaping unit is reduced in size in a first direction compared to the cross-section of the light beam that is incident on the beam shaping unit and is increased in size in a second direction perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-performance image-forming optical system made compact and thin by folding an optical path using reflecting surfaces arranged to minimize the number of reflections. A prism member 10 has a first entrance surface 11, first to fourth reflecting surfaces 12 to 15, and a first exit surface 16. An optical path incident on the first reflecting surface 12 and an optical path reflected from the second reflecting surface 13 form intersecting optical paths. An optical path incident on the third reflecting surface 14 and an optical path reflected from the fourth reflecting surface 15 form intersecting optical paths. At least either one of the first reflecting surface 12 and the second reflecting surface 13 and at least either one of the third reflecting surface 14 and the fourth reflecting surface 15 have a rotationally asymmetric curved surface configuration that gives a power to a light beam and corrects aberrations due to decentration.

Abstract: An image projecting apparatus has optical switches in first optical switch unit arranged in a square matrix arrangement, and a second optical switch unit of optical switches in single file for selectively reflecting the monochromatic lights reflected from the first optical switch unit. A light source irradiates a plurality of monochromatic lights of different wavelengths and the monochromatic lights are passed through the optical switches and a square beam generator such that they are incident on a panel unit to realize a monochromatic color stripe of a predetermined size. Light utilization increases through the use of first and second optical switch units, and overlapping between monochromatic color stripes can be prevented through the use of digital micromirror device (DMD) panel or liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) panel of fast responsiveness.

Abstract: First and second half or associated objects, in respective different sequential positions are aligned behind respective adjacent, first and second, inclined faces of an optical prism so that, when viewed at different angles alternately through a front face of the prism, images of the first and second half objects are seen alternately by transmission and total internal reflection at alternate faces, combining to form completed whole images of first and second objects alternatively, thereby providing an impression of animation by object movement. The half objects can be pictures of half of a same or similar face or person having respective different expressions producing a changing expression or hands producing a clapping effect. Written message portions associated with half objects can form a complete message/slogan when viewed at alternate angles. The optical prism can be solid or liquid filled and embodied in picture frames, domestic utensils or personal accessories/apparel.

Abstract: In an apparatus for watching around a vehicle, an internal reflection preventive film 37 for preventing stray light from undergoing total reflection in a prism is formed outside an effective area with respect to an imaging lens 9 disposed to the rear side 8B of the prism. Thus, the quantity of stray light is reduced by preventing the total reflection.

Abstract: A projection apparatus includes a polarizing converter which converts a light beam from a light source to a polarized beam; a color separator which separates the polarized beam into color beams based on wavelength; first through third optical path modifiers each of which modifies an optical path associated with a corresponding one of the color beams; first through third polarized light separators, each of which receives a corresponding one of the first through third color beams from the optical path modifiers; first through third reflective image display elements, each of which receives a corresponding one of the first through third color beams from the corresponding polarized light separator and provides a reflected beam to the corresponding polarized light separator; a color combiner which combines the reflected beams from the reflective image display elements of the polarized light separator; and a projection lens which projects a color image.

Abstract: An optical probe for use in accurately aligning the surfaces of microelectronic components that are to be joined together includes an optical device adapted to superimpose the images of a pair of components positioned on either side of the device. The optical device comprises an optical beam-splitter and plurality of prisms having mirror surfaces arranged so that the superposition of images takes place at the partially reflective interface within the beam-splitter. The resulting superimposed image of the die and substrate is displaced laterally from the microelectronic components so that the image is not projected onto either component.

Abstract: A viewfinder optical system includes an objective lens unit, an image inverting unit for converting an object image formed via the objective lens unit into a non-inverted erecting image, and an eyepiece lens unit for observing the non-inverted erecting image, wherein the image inverting unit comprises a first transparent body and a second transparent body which are disposed with an interval put therebetween, the second transparent body having only a function of transmitting a ray of light, and wherein the interval between the first transparent body and the second transparent body is not uniform.

Abstract: A color-separating and -recombining optical system includes a cubic- or square column-like first to fourth polarization beam splitters having polarization-splitting planes intersecting each other and wavelength-selective polarizing converters for rotating the plane of polarization of a specific-color light component by 90 degrees. One of the converters is placed at a light-incident side of the first splitter and another is placed at a light-emitting side of the fourth splitter. The first and fourth splitters are provided at a light-incident and light-emitting sides, respectively, of the optical system. The first and fourth splitters are arranged diagonally opposing each other. The remaining converters are placed between at least two inner facing planes of the first to fourth splitters. At least the remaining converters and three of the first to fourth splitters are joined to form an optical joint component with a gap between the component and the remaining one splitter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-dimensional optical scanner in which distortions upon scanning can be reduced in simplified construction and a compact, energy-saving image display system using the same. The two-dimensional optical scanner comprises a light source 10, a scanner unit 2 of gimbal structure for scanning a light beam therefrom in a two-dimensional direction and a scanning optical system 20 comprising a non-rotationally symmetric surface having an action of correcting a distortion upon scanning of the scanned light beam. The scanning optical system 20 comprises a decentered prism 20 comprising an entrance surface 22, at least one reflecting surface 23 and an exit surface 21. At least one of the entrance surface, reflecting surface and exit surface comprises a non-rotationally symmetric surface.

Abstract: A TIR prism system for DMD and a projector adopting the same make a loss of incidence light be reduced, and having a small size and light weight. In a TIR prism system having the DMD and for total reflecting the incidence light to a certain direction in accordance with that the DMD is controlled, the TIR prism system of the present invention includes a first prism for receiving the incidence light on a surface set before, refracting the light, and outputting the refracted light, and a second prism coupled to the first prism for receiving the light outputted from the first prism, transmitting the light to the DMD, and outputting the transmitted light after being totally reflected in accordance with that the DMD is controlled, whereby a loss of light energy inside the system can be reduced.

Abstract: An extremely compact prism optical element, image observation apparatus and image display apparatus which are capable of providing an observation image that is clear and has minimal aberration and minimal distortion even at a wide field angle. Light rays emitted from an image display device (7) enter an ocular optical system (12) through a fourth surface (6) and are totally reflected toward an observer's pupil (1) by a third surface (5). The reflected light rays are reflected by a first surface (3) disposed immediately in front of the observer's pupil (1) and then reflected toward the observer's pupil (1) by a second surface (4). The reflected light rays pass through the first surface (3) and are projected into an observer's eyeball (15) with the observer's iris position as an exit pupil (1).

Abstract: There is provided a light emitting device that is capable of changing the illumination angle in the transverse and vertical directions. An emission unit includes at least an arc tube being elongated in a longitudinal direction thereof, and a reflection umbrella. A light-permeable optical unit is arranged in front of the emission unit at a side thereof closer to a subject in such a manner that a relative distance between the optical unit and the emission unit is variable. The optical unit includes a plurality of light refracting sections provided at a central portion thereof and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the arc tube, and reflection surfaces provided at the opposite sides of the light refracting sections in the longitudinal direction thereof for reflecting luminous fluxes emitted from the emission unit toward a subject. The light distribution characteristics in transverse and vertical directions can be varied by changing the interval between the emission unit and the optical unit.

Abstract: A light resolution element for a light guiding apparatus is provided that is connectable in optical communication with the light guiding apparatus for guiding and re-orienting light emitted thereto from the light guiding apparatus such that light exiting the light resolution element irradiates a dental restoration piece in a manner which effects complete hardening of the piece. The light resolution element includes a prismatic body operable to guide and re-orient a light beam passed thereto from the light guiding apparatus.

Abstract: A cube corner reflector is oriented so that incident and reflected beams either entirely miss the edges at the intersections of reflective surfaces or so that the beams have only peripheral portions incident on the edges. A symmetry plane of the cube corner reflector is midway between the incident and reflected beams of the cube corner reflector and contains the central axis of the cube corner reflector and one of the edges between the reflective surfaces. For a minimum size reflector that permits the tight beam spacing, trimmed surfaces perpendicular to the symmetry plane are at different distances from the central axis. The edges, variations in the orthogonality of the reflective surfaces, and beam walk off cause less wavefront distortion that could affect measurements in systems such as interferometers.

Abstract: An image projection apparatus including a light source for emitting a plurality of monochromatic color beams having different wave lengths; a first light transmit unit; a light switch unit having a plurality of mirrors for selectively deflecting the monochromatic color beams at a predetermined angle; a quadrangular beam generating unit for converting the reflected monochromatic color beams into quadrangular beams having certain ratios of length to height; a panel for receiving the converted quadrangular beams and forming a monochromatic color bar on at least one portion of upper, mid, and lower portions thereof; and a projection lens unit disposed opposite to the panel. Accordingly, by using the light switches, a monochromatic color bar is formed on single panel with the same utilization efficiency of light as that of three panels, thereby embodying a high image quality.

Abstract: An optical probe for use in accurately aligning the surfaces of microelectronic components that are to be joined together includes an optical device adapted to superimpose the images of a pair of components positioned on either side of the device. The optical device comprises an optical beam-splitter and plurality of prisms having mirror surfaces arranged so that the superposition of images takes place at the partially reflective interface within the beam-splitter. The resulting superimposed image of the die and substrate is displaced laterally from the microelectronic components so that the image is not projected onto either component.

Abstract: Internal drum recording apparatus provided with a rotating deflecting element, comprising two (or more) beams of different wavelengths, which are simultaneously operatable, and optical elements for bringing the two or more beams to a common optical path before they reach the rotating deflecting element. The deflecting element may have dispersing properties such that beams of different wavelengths will leave it at slightly different angles. The beams of different wavelengths may be generated by laser diodes or tunable laser diodes. The apparatus may further comprise a beam combiner to combine the beams generated by the light sources.

Abstract: A spectroscope has a body having a front surface, a rear surface, and a concavity provided in the rear surface. The concavity is defined by a plurality of angled reflective surfaces. A laser beam directed at the front surface is divided into a plurality of branch laser beams, with one branch laser beam generated for each of the plurality of reflective surfaces.

Abstract: An axicon is disclosed comprising a generally cylindrical body having an exterior surface 31, a first surface 32 and a second surface 35 adjacent opposite ends of the body. A light input beam from a suitable source is directed into one of those surfaces and through the axicon to the other of those surfaces, and the beam is transformed by the axicon into a beam(s) exiting such other surface. The shape and angular extent of the exit beam will depend, in part, on the selected position of the first surface with respect to the optical axis of the axicon and/or the second surface. The axicon is an optical grade unit, preferably unitary, which can receive light of a specified pattern through a first surface, redirect and modify the light, and output light of a different pattern though a second surface. A concentrated light beam can be input to the axicon and output as a differently shaped beam, such as defining a predetermined plane or geometric surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a projection display device comprising a illumination system having a light source and an optical bar for providing an illumination beam, an image display system comprising a display panel for modulating the illumination beam with image information and projecting the image on a screen, and a color filter provided on a wheel, rotatably mounted at its hub, for transmitting colored portions of the illumination beam for illuminating the display panel. In order to improve the efficiency of the projection display device, the color filter comprises adjacent spiral-shaped filter portions for simultaneously illuminating portions of the display panel by the colored portions of the illumination beam so that the portions of the display panel are consecutively illuminated by the colored portions of the illumination beam.

Abstract: This invention discloses a color separation prism assembly. The prism assembly includes three triangular-shaped prisms having identical shape and size. Each of the three triangular-shaped prisms has two triangular surfaces as interfacing surfaces bonded to two identical triangular surfaces of two other prisms. At least two triangular surfaces of the three triangular-shaped prisms are coated with color separation filtering films for reflecting a first color light and transmitting a second color light therethrough. At least two triangular surfaces of the three triangular-shaped prisms are coated with a total reflective coating constituting at least two total internal reflective (TIR) surfaces for reflecting a light projected thereon. Each of the TIR surfaces further comprising a phase-shift compensating coating coated thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image pickup optical system which can make a sensitive tradeoff between the precision of alignment of a decentration optical prism used as an image formation element for an electronic camera or the like with respect to an image pickup element and ease of fabrication. The invention provides an optical prism 100 comprising three optical surfaces 12 to 14. An entrance surface 14 is suitable for incidence of light from a subject. The incident light is subjected to at least two internal reflections to turn back an optical path. The reflected light leaves the prism through an exit surface 12 to form an image of the subject on an image pickup surface 21 located outside of the prism. At least one of the entrance surface 14 and exit surface 12 is constructed of an optical surface having a combined transmission and internal reflection action. The optical prism is used in combination with a prism frame 30 designed to be well fit therefor.

Abstract: An optical element (10, 10′, 10″) for deflecting light beams (18, 19), which enter and re-emerge from the latter, in such a way that their angle of emergence (&ggr;) is limited, in particular for use as a luminaire-cover, having a plate-like core (11, 11′, 11″) of transparent material which on one side is occupied by microprisms (12, 13) that taper—starting from their root (15)—forming furrows (22), wherein all of the top surfaces (14) of the microprisms form the light-entry face and the other side (21) of the core forms the light-emergence face, and wherein the top surfaces (14) of the microprisms are formed convexly or concavely in a continuous or non-continuous manner, and also a method for producing the optical element (10, 10′, 10″).

Abstract: A color-separating and -recombining optical system includes a cubic- or square column-like first to fourth polarization beam splitters having polarization-splitting planes intersecting each other and wavelength-selective polarizing converters for rotating the plane of polarization of a specific-color light component by 90 degrees. One of the converters is placed at a light-incident side of the first splitter and another is placed at a light-emitting side of the fourth splitter. The first and fourth splitters are provided at light-incident and light-emitting sides, respectively, of the optical system. The first and fourth splitters are arranged diagonally opposing each other. The remaining converters are placed between at least two inner facing planes of the first to fourth splitters. At least the remaining converters and three of the first to fourth splitters are joined to form an optical joint component with a gap between the component and the remaining one splitter.

Abstract: A red-reflecting film and a blue-reflecting film are formed in a substantially X shape on joint surfaces defined by the respective side faces of four columnar prisms or right-angle prisms. The red-reflecting film is continuously formed without separating at an intersection of the two reflecting films. The blue-reflecting film is, on the other hand, divided into two pieces by the red-reflecting film and an adhesive. It is preferable that that four columnar prisms are obtained from one block of sheet glass. This arrangement ensures an improvement in properties of a resulting light-selective prism.

Abstract: An optical prism (1) for reflecting incident light from an incidence surface (2) suited for incidence of light from an LCD (20) or the like for at least twice before emitting the reflected light as emission light from a predetermined emission surface (4). The optical prism has side surfaces (6L and 6R) crossing the incidence and emission surfaces (2 and 4) and including receded surfaces 7L and 7R) formed such as not to impede an optical path of an effective size, the incident light being led along the optical path from the incidence surface to the emission surface.

Abstract: Interleavers are a useful tool in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) to separate a signal with closely spaced channels into two signals, e.g. odd and even ITU channels, each with twice the channel spacing. Alternatively, two signals with a large channel spacing can be combined into a single beam with half the channel spacing. The invention relates to an optical interferometer using rhomb prisms as resonant cavities, which, when properly designed, provide the necessary phase shifts for interleaving or de-interleaving sets of optical wavelength channels. The present invention utilizes the differential phase shift between orthogonally polarized components induced by total internal reflection (TIR) off the surfaces of the rhomb prisms. Dispersion reducing techniques are also disclosed, including multiple rhomb interleavers and multi-pass rhomb interleavers.

Abstract: A retroreflector has three mutually-orthogonal reflective surfaces arranged around an optical axis. The reflective surfaces stop short of the optical axis to provide a central region of the retroreflector which transmits incident light and a peripheral region of the retroreflector which retroreflects incident light. When the reflector is used in a Jamin-type interferometer with another reflector, this enables the interferometer to be used for measuring displacement between the reflectors. In the interferometer, a projected beam is disposed between a pair of return beams and/or one of the return beams is disposed between a pair of the projected beams. This enables a first contiguous area of a face of a beam splitter to be provided with a phase-shifting coating to produce a phase quadrature relationship between a pair of interferogram beams. This simplifies the masking required when applying the coating.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a variable mirror that is readily formable and can be readily and precisely changed into various configurations as desired. A variable mirror 20 according to this invention is a variable mirror having a mirror body 26 formed of an elastic or flexible material and having one surface 26b functioning as a reflecting surface. The mirror body 26 is capable of changing the reflecting surface configuration. The variable mirror is characterized in that the rigidity of the mirror body 26 varies in a direction parallel to the one surface.

Abstract: A 4-prism color management device (600) comprised of first, second, third, and fourth prisms (610, 612, 614, 616). The first prism (610) is adjacent to the second prism (612) with an air gap (620) interposed therebetween, the second prism (612) is adjacent to the third prism (614) with an air gap (624) interposed therebetween, and the third (614) prism is adjacent to the fourth prism (616) with an air gap (626) interposed therebetween. The first prism (610) includes a first surface (630) for inputting and outputting a beam of light. The second prism (612) includes a first dichroic surface (642) mounted at a first angle (&bgr;) with respect to the first surface (630) for reflecting light of a first color and for transmitting light of a second color and light of a third color. The third prism (614) includes a second dichroic surface (644) mounted at a second angle (&khgr;) with respect to the first surface (630) for reflecting light of the second color and for transmitting light of the third color.