Abstract: An apochromatic grism (42) includes a first prism (48) with a second prism (50) disposed adjacent to it. A grating (44) is adjacent to the front surface of the first prism (48) and the Abbe number and dispersion coefficient of the grating are chosen such that the primary and secondary angular spread for a given spectral band is approximately zero. The apochromatic grism is a simple and compact device with minimal amounts of residual chromatic and anamorphic aberrations.

Abstract: A rear view mirror unit of the type in which light from a region behind an observer is directed to the observer's eye by an optical system including a reflecting component and a refracting component in which the refracting component of the optical system includes a plurality of refracting interfaces inclined to one another and including first and second interfaces of an objective refractor, which converge towards a first side of the longitudinal median plane of the unit and third and fourth interfaces of an ocular refractor which converge towards a second side of the longitudinal median plane of the unit opposite the first. The ocular retractor is transversed twice by the light in its path to the observer's eye from the object, and the refractors may be formed as Fresnel prisms.

Abstract: An achromatic anamorphic prism pair for the conversion of the elliptical output beam of a tunable diode laser to a circular beam. The achromatic design prevents a directional shift in the output beam with respect to the optical axis of the system laser wavelength is varied.

Abstract: An optical rear view system for a vehicle, having a reflector mounted to receive light from objects to the rear of the vehicle and to reflect it towards an observer, is provided with at least one further optical component between the reflector and the observer effective to direct towards the observer, by refraction or reflection, a portion of the light which upon reflection at the reflector is not directed towards the observer, whereby to provide a wider field of view than that obtainable from the reflector alone. The reflector is positioned forwardly of the observer so as to be in his field of view and the surface of the system on which light from an object behind the vehicle is first incident lies at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and is inclined such that a forward part of the incident surface is further from the vehicle axis than a rearward part.

Abstract: In an optical element, an optically transparent substance is sandwiched between transparent paired plate-shaped elements by utilizing a connection member capable of deforming, and the angle formed by the paired plate-shaped elements is caused to vary by a force applied thereto from the outside, so that a predetermined optical characteristic for the passing light rays is obtained. The connection member is constructed from a high-molecular material capable of molding.

Abstract: A planar parallel plate direct vision prism including two glasses for dispersing light as a function of color is disclosed. Also disclosed is an optical system which includes a first optical assembly having two planar parallel plate direct vision prisms for dispersing light as a function of color. The degree and orientation of the light dispersed is controlled by rotating the two prisms of the first assembly in relation to each other and together in unison. A fiber optic bundle transmits the dispersed light and a second optical assembly having two planar parallel plate direct vision prisms recombines the dispersed light emerging from the fiber optic bundle. The degree and orientation of the light recombined is controlled by rotating the prisms of the second optical assembly in relation to each other and together in unison.

Abstract: A display device for motor vehicles in which an image on the display is reflected by a reflecting member on the windshield to allow the virtual image to be viewed by the driver. The display device includes a display having an upwardly facing display surface, a first prism having a vertical angle .theta. formed by two surfaces of a first prism arranged so as to face the driver with one of the two surfaces arranged so as to face the display surface of the display and a second prism having substantially the same vertical angle as the first prism and being arranged in mating relation to the first prism with the vertical angles thereof opposing each other. In one embodiment, the bottom surface of the second prism confronting the vertical angle .theta. is matted, whereas other surfaces than the two surfaces forming the vertical angle .theta. are coated in a dark color.

Abstract: Disclosed is a projection system wherein light provided from a source passes through a prism and is then incident on an array of reflecting elements which are individually adjustable between a first and second position. Light reflected from each element re-enters the prism. Light from elements in the first position pass through the prism and into a lens. Light from elements in the second position travel through the prism, but do not enter the lens. The principal plane of the lens and the plane in which the elements are located are each parallel to the adjacent surface of the prism.

Abstract: An optical beam homogenizer includes an entrance pupil through which a non-uniform optical beam propagates. A first optical component having plural flat surfaces receives the input beam. The flat surfaces of the first optical component effectively segment the entrance pupil by dividing the input beam into plural beamlets, one beamlet for each pupil segment and flat surface. The beamlets are received by a second optical component which also has multiple flat surfaces, each flat surface receiving a beamlet. The second optical component directs the beamlets toward each other such that they overlap at an exit pupil of the system. The second optical component also focuses the beamlets such that an image of each entrance pupil segment is formed at the exit pupil. The images of the individual entrance pupil segments are superimposed upon each other at the exit pupil to form a uniform optical output beam.

Abstract: A rear view system for a vehicle (10) includes in combination a light transmitting member (2) and a light reflective medium (16) spatially displaced from the member. The member has a first face (4) for light emergence from which in use light rays are directed towards the medium (16) and a second face (6) for light incidence, each face being disposed on a respective side of a median plane (8). The member (2) comprises a plurality of elemental prismatic sections, the prismatic angles of the elemental sections progressively changing along the length of the member whereby rays of refracted light emerging through the first face are in parallelism or substantial parallelism one with the other irrespective of the angles of incidence of the rays. The shape of the light transmitting member (2) is such as to afford a wide angular scope of view to the system thereby to enhance safety.

Abstract: A lighting source arrangement comprising a light conducting cable formed of an optical fibre consisting of a plurality of elementary fibres, a device for holding and fastening the optical fibre onto a supporting structure and means for steering the light beam issuing from the fibre, wherein said fastening device is a device for holding the optical fibre in a stationary position and the device for steering the light beam emitted by the fibre comprises at least one member for deviating the beam which is mounted rotatably about the axis of the optical fibre onto a stationary holder.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical pickup device which enables cost reduction and has improved optical characteristics. In the optical pickup device according to the present invention, as a function to shape a light flux outputted from a semiconductor laser chip to a substantially circular beam and a function to separate reflected light from an optical recording medium from the source light are realized with one optical element, a number of required parts can be reduced, which in turn enables substantial cost reduction as well as size reduction of the device.

Abstract: A stereo image forming apparatus for observing a stereo image based on two images obtained by two image taking systems. In front of each image taking system, such as a television camera, two wedge-shaped prisms are placed and made rotatable in mutually opposite directions, thus deflecting the direction of light for a varying distance to the object, in synchronization with the focusing operation of the image taking system. Thus, the apparatus can promptly focus on the object at varying distances without rotating the image taking systems themselves.

Abstract: A device for lighting a medical treatment field is disclosed and includes an optical member for focusing a plurality of light rays. The device also includes a prism assembly formed of a plurality of sectors of prisms. Each prism has an entry face and an exit face. The vertices of the sectors are substantially located in the center of the prism assembly. The sectors of prisms are configured and dimensioned so that the optical focusing member can focus the plurality of light rays generally onto the entry faces of the prisms. In addition, the device includes a mechanism for displacing at least a predetermined number of sectors such that the exit faces of the prisms of the predetermined sectors can be selectively positioned in one of a generally planar or a non-planar configuration. In an alternative embodiment, the device includes an optical focusing member and a prism assembly wherein the exit faces of the prisms are generally arc shaped along the length of the sector.

Abstract: An optical device having a transparent body and including two prism surfaces formed thereon. The composite structure exhibits two axis stability in that the angular relationship between the input beam and the output beam remains fixed for slight movement of the device about two orthogonal axes.

Abstract: An image stabilizing apparatus is disclosed comprising an imaging optical system for forming an image of a subject onto an imaging surface. A deflector has first and second liquid prisms disposed with a movable transparent plate therebetween, and a controller changes vertex angles of the respective prisms by inclining the movable transparent plate in order to correct for a displacement of the image on the imaging surface.

Abstract: The laser beam emitted by a laser light source is first brought to an image in an auxiliary scanning plane, and reflected by a slit mirror provided in a prism block. The arrangement is such that this laser light is incident on the scanning deflector along the optic axis of the scanning lens, and a screen is provided for obstructing ghosting in the vicinity of the scanning surface. Further, either the side of the prism block on which the light is incident or the side from which it emerges is curved, or both are curved, or one side of the prism block is treated to prevent reflection. Further, a screen is provided between the laser light source and the slit mirror so as to obstruct that part of the light incident on the mirror which is reflected by the mirror after being reflected by the scanning deflector.

Abstract: A plural beam optical head is constituted by an optical system for imaging a plurality of light beams onto an optical information recording medium, a double-refractive crystal prism and a sensor. The plurality of light beams obtained from the optical information recording medium are separated into components the polarized direction of which are orthogonal one another by the double-refractive crystal prism. The direction of arrangement of the plurality of light beams incident on the double-refractive crystal prism is substantially perpendicular to the direction of separation of the light beams obtained from the double-refractive crystal prism. The light beams from the double-refractive crystal prism are received by the sensor.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a disposable probe and a non-disposable focusing ocular. The probe includes a transfer module assembly including one or more relay modules, and an objective element including a distal glass window, a molded plastic prism and three molded plastic lenses. Each of the relay modules contains an entry glass rod, an intermediate glass rod, and an exit rod, each having flat end surfaces and two identical molded plastic doublets. The elements of the ocular are all of glass and include an axially movable focusing doublet and two non-movable doublets. The disposable probe introduces certain aberrations into the image. The non-disposable focusing ocular corrects these aberrations. A single curved surface is formed on the distal glass window of the probe; all other curved optical surfaces of the disposable probe are formed on molded plastic members, thereby reducing the cost of the probe sufficiently to be cost-effective for single patient, disposable use.

Abstract: An optical novelty device comprising a pair of wedge prisms disposed in a container having a viewing port and a light-entry port whereby an image viewed through said device appears as a symmetrical right-side-up refracted image regardless of the orientation of the device

Abstract: This invention relates to an instrument for a vehicle in which a front cover is attached to a front face of an instrument case for protecting inside of the instrument. An instrument for a vehicle according to the present invention comprising: a meter; a case for accommodating the meter; and a prism disposed at a front portion of the case for regulating amount of light which is emitted from the prism upward by bending light emitted from the meter downward, the prism also acting as a front cover of the case.

Abstract: An optical axis adjusting apparatus is provided and includes a laser beam source, a beam shaping prism for shaping a laser beam of elliptical flux emitted from the laser beam source into a laser beam of circular flux, and an angle adjusting device which adjusts the angular direction of the outgoing laser beam emitted from the shaping prism.

Abstract: An optical axis adjusting apparatus is provided and includes a laser beam source, a beam shaping prism for shaping a laser beam of elliptical flux emitted from the laser beam source into a laser beam of circular flux, a parallel shift mechanism which shifts the light rays of the laser beam in a parallel fashion, and a rotation adjusting mechanism for rotatably adjusting a parallel plate.

Abstract: An optical filter 10 for filtering spatial frequencies from an output of an optical imaging system comprises a substantially transparent, or reflective, optical element 12 having a plurality of light refracting, or reflecting, segments 18 arranged on a surface thereof. Each of the plurality of segments 18 is provided with a predetermined angle of refraction, or reflection, distinct from adjacently located segments 18, wherein the different angles of refraction, or reflection, and the arrangement of the segments 18 on the optical element 12, are determined based on a desired spatial frequency transfer function for the filter 10. The optical spatial filter 10 reduces errors in optically formed images by accurately confining a broadened Point Spread Function (PSF) to a desired spot size.

Abstract: A light deflecting device for use in a light scanner, comprises a deflector (4) and a dove prism (13) mounted together on a rotatable support (16). The support (16) rotates about a nominal axis (2) coaxial with an incident light beam direction (11). A beam is incident on the deflector (4) so as to be deflected through a fixed angle (.THETA.) relative to the nominal axis (2) independently of any angular movement of the support (16) about the nominal axis.

Abstract: A real image mode variable magnification finder optical system comprising an objective lens system including a rotatable prism, an image erecting optical system for erecting an image formed by the objective lens system and an eyepiece lens system having a positive refractive power. The prism is rotated 180.degree. for changing the finder optical system between a wide angle condition and a telephoto condition. This variable magnification finder optical system permits minimizing a space required for operating an optical member for changing a magnification thereof and composing the objective lens system compactly of a small number of component parts.

Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus that provides uniform illumination with at least partially incoherent light that could produce interference fringes. The projection exposure apparatus includes a light source emitting at least partially coherent light, a dispersion element for dispersing the light according to wavelength, a dividing element for dividing the dispersed light into plural light beams, a condenser unit for introducing each of the plural light beams in an overlapping manner onto a mask including circuit patterns, and a projection lens unit for projecting the light passing through the mask onto a surface of a wafer.

Abstract: A prism providing an optical window for a process refractometer. The prism is manufactured from a material that has predetermined optical properties and a refractory index higher than the refractory index of the process material to be measured. One face of the prism is arranged to provide an interface in contact with the process material to be measured. To optimise the selection of the material of the prism, an optically transparent material layer is provided onto the surface of the interface in contact with the process material, the refractory index of the material layer being higher than the refractory index of the material that the prism is manufactured from.

Abstract: An applanating member is provided for use in an applanation tonometer and comprises an optical element replaceably held in a tubular carrier. The element is formed as a replaceable plastics moulding with integral means for locating it in the member axially and rotationally. Such an optical element can be used disposably so as to achieve higher standards of hygiene without excessive costs.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a measuring objective having a large free operating space and having very small imaging errors with respect to coma, astigmatism and distortion. The main rays are, at least at one objective side, inclined to each other in one directional component and are parallel to each other in the directional component perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to a windshield deflector shield for deflecting insects and debris above the hood and windshield of a vehicle and for increasing the driver's field of vision. The deflector shield includes a lens coupled to the middle deflector section for increasing the field of vision in front of the vehicle. The deflector shield may also include rearview mirrors coupled to the ends of the deflector shield for increasing the driver's field of vision at the sides of the vehicle.

Abstract: An arrangement for enabling a person to view/observe alphanumeric/pictorial information provided upon a surface of an information storage cassette while being located within an associated case, container, enclosure, housing or the like that is adapted for placement in one-above-the-other relationship and/or in side-by-side relationship in such manner that the information to be viewed/observed is out of direct line of vision of the viewer thereof. The library case, container, enclosure, housing or the like incorporates means for establishing at least one optical path within the case, container enclosure, housing or the like and from the information to be viewed and to the associated part/parts of the case, container, enclosure, housing or the like which is/are presentable in a line of direct view of said viewer.

Abstract: A thermal imager system comprises a scanning system 1 for scanning a required scene 2 and an anamorphic optical system 3 for focusing the scanned scene onto a Sprite detector 4, the optical anamorphic system comprises a pair of optical prisms 17, 19 disposed between a collimating element 15 and a focusing element 21, one or both of the prisms 17, 19 being pivotally mounted whereby the anamorphic ratio and hence the focal length of said optical system 3 may be changed. (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A three color separation/synthesis mirror device for a liquid crystal projector comprises four dichroic mirrors whose joint part has a V-shaped notch in which a higher refractive index is filled thereby to eliminate stray lights. The device may have a prism at the joint part for causing an emitted light to be parallel with an incident light.

Abstract: A real image type finder optical system comprising, in order from the object side, an objective lens, a reticle, a condenser lens and an eyepiece lens. The reticle has a surface of incidence which is located in the vicinity of a plane on which a primary image is to be formed by the objective lens and is configured so as to diffuse a light bundle in different directions by central portion and marginal portion thereof. This finder optical system is capable of forming a sharp image with distortion favorably corrected, has high accuracy for detecting a focused condition and can be composed compactly.

Abstract: An optical axis adjusting apparatus is provided and includes a laser beam source, a beam shaping prism for shaping a laser beam of elliptical flux emitted from the laser beam source into a laser beam of circular flux, and an angle adjusting device which adjusts the angular direction of the outgoing laser beam emitted from the shaping prism.

Abstract: In an optical head, a light beam emitted from a semiconductor laser is collimated by a collimator lens and the collimated light beam is incident on a unitary structure of first and second refractive members. The first and second refractive member have first and second refractive coefficients, respectively and the first refractive coefficient is smaller than the second refractive coefficient. The light beam is refracted at an incident surface of the first refractive member, the light beam passing through the first refractive member is also refracted at an interface between the first and second refractive members and the light beam passing through the second refractive member is emerged from a exit surface of the second refractive member and is directed in a predetermined direction. When a wavelength of the light beam is varied, a refraction angle at the incident surface of the first refractive member is changed.

Abstract: A prism is installed at a lower part of the windshield near the dashboard with a first surface of the prism directed toward a viewing point of a driver and a second surface held in contact with the inner side of the windshield. The first or second surface of the prism is made a reflecting surface. The third surface is formed with a dark paint layer. The apex of the prism where the first and second surfaces join is tilted toward the driver seat in such a manner that the second surface becomes a total reflection surface for light from the third surface with respect to the viewing point of a driver. The display image of an indicator installed in the dashboard below the prism is reflected either by the first or second reflecting surface of the prism toward the driver's viewing point. Light from the dark third surface of the prism is totally reflected by the second surface toward the driver to provide a dark background for the display, enhancing the display contrast.

Abstract: An optical element for collimating and rectifying divergent incident radiation comprises a first optical surface and a second optical surface titled with respect to the first optical surface. The first optical surface has sufficient power to collimate incident radiation, while the second optical surface is tilted sufficiently to provide rectification.

Abstract: An optical transmission spectrometer for transmission measurements of absorbing and scattering samples includes light sources mounted parallel to each other in a holder. The beams of light emanating from the light sources are directed through a beam-combiner. The beam-combiner includes a first refractive surface at an angle of incidence of 45.degree.. The first refractive surface refracts light toward a common axis. The beam-combiner includes a second refractive surface parallel to the first refractive surface for refracting the beam of light along a common axis parallel to the original direction of the beam of light. The beam-combiner can include additional refractive surfaces for other beams of light to combine the beams of light into a primary beam. The spectrometer includes a collimating tube extending along the common axis for baffling stray light and directing the primary beam through a sample.

Abstract: A multi-element, air-spaced prism system for use in a reflective-type optical media device having a light source to provide an incident light beam provides an achromatic, anamorphic prism which corrects for astigmatism and ellipticity in the light beam from the light source. One embodiment of the prism system provides at least two reflections of a return beam from the reflective-type optical media. The return prism provides these reflections from various optical surfaces in the multi-element prism system. In one embodiment, the prism system also provides a reflection of a portion of the incident beam. This reflection is directed to a detector which can, for instance, monitor the intensity of the light beam.

Abstract: A display apparatus for a vehicle or the like prevents occurrence of a washout phenomenon or the like and is stable and high in visual observation even in an intense external light condition. The display apparatus includes a display unit, and a prism having first and second mutually intersecting faces opposed to the display unit such that light from the display unit is emitted by way of the prism to provide a display of a display image of the display unit. The prism is disposed such that incidence light to the first face thereof remote from the display unit is totally reflected by the second face thereof adjacent the display unit to restrict the incidence angle to the prism of light which can pass through the prism toward the display unit.

Abstract: A multiple diode laser ROS scanning system is modified to eliminate the need for buffering scan lines so that they can be brought into the required adjacent lines at a photosensitive surface. The wavelength of the diode outputs are selected such that each diode differs from the other within a selected range. The beams are collimated and directed through a dispersive element such as a prism which is positioned so as to cause the beams to converge towards each other. After reflection from a reflective facet surface of a polygon, the beams are swept across the surface of an image media as adjacent scan lines.

Abstract: A method of patterning a photoresist layer to provide an aperture having retrograde sidewalls is described. Illumination may be through a conical prism arrangement or a conical reflecting mirror and cylindrical mirror arrangement. The method includes the step of directing energy towards a mask which selectively exposes portions of a photoresist layer disposed on the substrate. The energy is directed to the mask at an oblique angle with respect to the normal to the surface of the substrate. The underlying photoresist layer is obliquely sensitized by the obliquely directed illumination. The portions of the layer which are obliquely sensitized are removed leaving behind an aperture having retrograde sidewalls. The retrograde sidewalls are a preferred photoresist profile for easy and reliable lift-off of deposited material from the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A scanning thermal imager includes means to compensate for a degree of undesirable asymmetry introduced by an element such as a spherical lens operating in an off axis manner. The means can advantageously include an optical element mounted in the optical path with at least one main face at an angle other than normal to the path and arranged to introduce a desired degree of compensating asymmetry.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for detecting focus errors in an optical head by positioning a prism in the optical path of a return light beam reflected from an optical recording medium. The prism reduces the beam in one dimension by a factor of M and concurrently increases the divergence/convergence angle associated with a focus-error of the beam by a factor of M in this dimension, thereby desirably enhancing the focus error signal by a factor of M.sup.2. A focus error is detected by a segmented photodetector having inner and outer photosensitive regions. The photodetector generates an electrical signal indicative of the focus error from the difference in light intensities at the inner and outer regions. The photodetector preferably is segmented in such manner as to also provide a track error signal.