Abstract: A reflector with high total reflection which is resistant to mechanical stresses. The reflector comprises a reflector body and superimposed thereon (a) a functional coating such as a varnish, (b) a reflecting layer structure composed of a reflecting metallic layer and optionally arranged thereon one or several transparent ceramic layers, for example, layers having an optical depth of ?/2. The reflecting layer structure contains, as its surface layer, a protective layer. The protective layer is a silicon oxide of general formula SiOx, wherein x is a number from 1.1 to 2.0, or it is aluminum oxide of formula Al2O3, in a thickness of 3 nm or more. The protective layer protects the underlying layers from mechanical damages. In the DIN 58196 abrasion test the protected surface does not show any damages after 50 test cycles with 100 abrasion strokes.

Abstract: A metal salt solution for use as a metal salt solution for forming a metallic mirror surface on a receiving surface is shown. The metal salt solution contains about 6.0 g to about 25 g of sodium hydroxide, about 20 g to about 70 g of ammonia and about 2 g to about 20 g of silver nitrate per 1 liter of water. The receiving surface is treated with an activating treatment agent solution containing stannous chloride and at least one precious metal salt of palladium, gold, silver and platinum followed by a concurrent application of the above reacting metal salt solution and reducing agent solution to form a metallic mirror surface on the receiving surface.

Abstract: A film for optical applications comprising (A) a hard coat layer which comprises a metal oxide and a substance cured by heat or by an ionizing radiation and has a thickness in a range of 2 to 20 ?m and (B) a low refractivity layer which comprises porous silica and a polysiloxane-based polymer and has a refractive index in a range of 1.30 to 1.45 and a thickness in a range of 40 to 200 nm, layers (A) and (B) being successively laminated at least on one face of a substrate film. The film exhibits an excellent property for preventing reflection of light and excellent scratch resistance and can be produced at a low cost.

Abstract: The combiner 1 has a resin base 11 and a reflecting and polarizing member 12. The reflecting and polarizing member 12 is unitarily molded with the resin base 11 as an insert and has a polarizer plate 12A covered by a reflector film 12B. At a border B of the reflector member 12 with the resin base 11, a gradation printed layer 13a is provided. Preferably, the reflector film has an undercoat layer 12d, a reflecting coat layer 12e, an overcoat layer 12f, and a top coat layer 12g. The undercoat layer prevents the reflector film from being stripped out of the polarizer plate, and the reflector film has a predetermined reflectance. The reflecting coat layer is protected by the overcoat layer, and the top coat layer has a water repellency.

Abstract: Apparatus (2) for constructing a thin film mirror, which apparatus (2) comprises a suction chamber (4), first attachment means (6) positioned at a first side (8) of the suction chamber (4) and for attaching the thin film (10) to the first side (8) of the suction chamber (4), and second attachment means (12) positioned at a second and opposite side (14) of the suction chamber (4) and for attaching the thin film (10) to the second side (14) of the suction chamber (4), the first and second attachment means (6, 12) being such that they secure the thin film (10) against movement when tension is applied in a first direction extending between the first and second attachment means (6, 12), and the first and second attachment means (6, 12) being such that they allow the thin film (10) to move and stretch in a second direction which is at right angles to the first direction and which allows the thin film (10) to be distorted to a desired geometric shape for forming the thin mirror.

Abstract: An optical scanning device for scanning a dual-layer optical record carrier. The device comprises a spherical aberration compensation optical subsystem including a switchable liquid crystal cell (10) for altering a wavefront deviation generated in a folding mirror (32) including non-periodic phase structure (NPS) located behind a polarisation-selective reflective layer.

Abstract: A heated mirror is provided. The mirror includes a plastic or glass substrate. A contact surface is provided for receiving a resistive heating layer. A plurality of spaced electrodes are electrically coupled to the resistive heating layer for inducing a current in the resistive heating layer to heat the mirror assembly. The substrate is polished in the direction of current flow through the resistive layer. The assembly may also include a separate reflective layer.

Abstract: A color shifting multilayer interference film is provided which may be used to produce foils or flakes for use in pigment compositions and colorants having color shifting properties. The flakes can be interspersed into a pigment medium to form paints, inks, or cosmetic preparations which can subsequently be applied to objects, papers, or people. Three and five layer designs of the interference film include alternating layers of a dielectric material and carbon in various configurations. The dielectric layers are formed to have an optical thickness at a design wavelength that provides a color shift as the angle of incident light or viewing angle changes.

Abstract: A color shifting multilayer interference film is provided which may be used to produce foils or flakes for use in pigment compositions and colorants having color shifting properties. The flakes can be interspersed into a pigment medium to form paints, inks, or cosmetic preparations which can be subsequently be applied to objects, papers, or people. Three and five layer designs of the interference film include alternating layers of a dielectric material and carbon in various configurations. The dielectric layers are formed to have an optical thickness at a design wavelength that provides a color shift as the angle of incident light or viewing angle changes.

Abstract: The present invention adopts a particle dispersed silicon material, comprising silicon carbide as dispersion particles, as a mirror substrate, subjects the mirror substrate to mirror finish polishing to form a mirror body, forms a reflecting film on the mirror body to form a mirror, and uses the mirror to form a large aperture optical system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beam-shaping element for optical radiation, in particular for UV laser radiation, as well as to a method for producing the beam-shaping element. This beam-shaping element comprises a carrier substrate (1) bearing a thin-layer metallization which is structured for shaping the beam of said optical radiation. The thin-layer metallization is composed of at least two metallic layers (2, 3), which, upon impingement of said optical radiation (4), react with each other accompanied by a permanent change in color as of a certain intensity and/or irradiation period of said optical radiation (4).

Abstract: An optical element such as a band-pass filter, near-infrared cut filter or antireflection film which can be prepared in high rate and hence in high productivity and whose preparation can be carried out by the application of high electric power to a target. In the optical element, a low refractive index layer is formed using conductive silicon carbide as a target by a sputtering method and a high refractive index layer is formed using conductive titanium oxide as a target by a sputtering method.

Abstract: Self-shadowed microelectromechanical structures such as self-shadowed bond pads, fuses and compliant members and a method of fabricating self-shadowing microelectromechanical structures that anticipate and accommodate blanket metalization process steps are disclosed. In one embodiment, a self-shadowed bond pad (10) configured for shadowing an exposed end (44A) of a shielded interconnect line (44) connected to the bond pad (10) from undesired metalization during a metalization fabrication process step includes electrically connected overlaying first, second and third bond pad areas (42, 72, 92) patterned from respective first, second and third layers (40, 70, 90) of material deposited on a substrate (20). The exposed end (44A) of the interconnect line (44) abuts an edge of the first bond pad area (42).

Abstract: A fillable rearview mirror assembly and method of molding a carrier for the assembly are provided. The mirror assembly has a hollow carrier that can be at least partially filled with a material having a density different than that of the carrier. A mirror can be attached to the carrier and the carrier attached to the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a weather and corrosion-resistant reflector with high overall reflection in the visible and infrared wavelength ranges. Said reflector contains a reflector body with a reflective surface consisting of aluminium or an aluminium alloy or a reflector body with a reflection coating consisting of aluminium or an aluminium alloy. The reflector also contains an outer, final, transparent protective layer consisting of a sol-gel coating which is thicker than 1 &mgr;m. The transparent sol-gel coating is a polymer consisting of cross-linked inorganic siloxanes with alcohol groups that are bonded to the silicon with a carbon bond. The sol-gel coating is produced in a sol-gel process and after having been applied to the reflector body, is dried and hardened using heat. The protective layer is characterized by its excellent resistance to weather, corrosion and abrasion.

Abstract: For an optical reflecting mirror formed by applying injection molding to a plastic material, it is an object of the present invention to suppress warpage or distortion due to molding contraction and provide an optical reflecting mirror such as an axial eccentric a spherical mirror or free curved surface mirror with a highly accurate mirror surface, which is an axial eccentric a spherical mirror or free curved surface mirror formed by applying injection molding to a plastic material, including a rib connected in such a way as to intersect with the body having the mirror surface, formed at least at the outer edge of the mirror surface closest to the maximum curvature part within the mirror surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a semitransparent mirror and a method for producing and for operating the semitransparent mirror. The semitransparent mirror has a transparent substrate, a first protective layer that is arranged on the substrate, and a layer with a phase change medium, which is arranged on the first protective layer. The layer is covered by a second protective layer that protects the phase change medium.

Abstract: In the reflecting mirror of the present invention, the film thickness of a photocatalytic hydrophilic film mainly made of silicon dioxide is set to about 90 nm, and the mass ratio of photocatalyst particles made of titanium dioxide contained in the photocatalytic hydrophilic film is set to about 60%. As a result, the hydrophilicity and the photocatalytic property can be sufficiently assured, and the surface reflectivity of the photocatalytic hydrophilic film can be effectively restrained. Therefore, the occurrence of a double image caused by the surface reflection of the photocatalytic hydrophilic film can be effectively restrained or be prevented.

Abstract: This invention is a method of producing a reflective mask comprising a substrate, a reflective multilayer film formed on the substrate to reflect exposure light, and at least one layer formed on the reflective multilayer film to define a nonreflecting region for the exposure light. The method comprises the steps of: (a) patterning a layer formed on and adjacent to a topmost layer of the reflective multilayer film; and (b) removing a reaction product produced following patterning in the step (a) and deposited on an exposed surface of the reflective multilayer film which is exposed as a result of patterning in the step (a). The step (a) may be performed by the use of an oxygen-containing plasma process.

Abstract: A device serves for reflecting electromagnetic waves in a length range less than 200 nm. It has a mirror carrier made of a material with at least approximately vanishing thermal expansion and at least one reflective layer applied on said mirror carrier. An intermediate layer made of a material which is formed such that its surface roughness is not significantly increased after beam processing methods is fitted between the mirror carrier and the reflective layer.

Abstract: A strengthened mirror structure includes a reflection mirror with a reflection surface and a back surface respectively at the opposite sides thereof, and at least one strengthening element such as a honeycomb plate. An adhesive is used to stick the strengthening element on the back surface of the reflection mirror. Whereby, the bending-resistant capability of the reflection mirror while being suspended in midair is enhanced so as to prevent the mirror from deforming and further to enhance a picture quality, and the safety problem about mirror cracking can be guarded against so as to improve a product quality.

Abstract: A reflection mirror includes an underlaying layer, a reflection layer, and a protective layer on a resin substrate in the order from the resin substrate, in which the reflection layer is composed of an Ag film, each of the underlaying layer and the protective layer includes at least one TiO2 film and at least one Al2O3 film, and a film of the underlaying layer contacting the resin substrate is a TiO2 film.

Abstract: A mirror includes: a substrate having a surface; and a thin-film finish layer provided over the surface of the substrate and having on a side thereof opposite from the substrate a surface with a polished finish. According to a different aspect of the invention, a method of making a mirror includes: providing a substrate having a surface thereon; forming a thin-film finish layer over the surface of the substrate using thin-film techniques, the finish layer having a surface on a side thereof opposite from the substrate; and polishing the surface of the finish layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laminated glass for vehicles exerting the functions that are difficult to be made compatible in combinations such as (1) a shade band in an interlayer and an optical device such as a CCD camera, (2) a heat shielding interlayer and an optical device, and (3) a heat shielding interlayer and a combiner. In this laminated glass for vehicles, the interlayer includes a first region and a second region that is either enclosed by the first region or formed by partially recessing an edge portion of the first region. The first region is provided with a light reducing function that imparts a light transmittance loss at least of visible light, and in the second region, the interlayer has a light transmittance loss of visible light that is smaller than that in the first region.

Abstract: In order to obtain a beam splitting prism which a beam can be split with simpler configuration in a state in which an optical path length is precisely controlled, there is provided a beam splitting prism having an incident and an outgoing faces orthogonal or parallel to each other, wherein transparent mediums, at least one beam splitter, and at least one reflector are combined so that the beam splitter and the reflector are located between the transparent mediums, the beam splitter and the reflector are arranged whose normal directions are orthogonal to each other, whereby a beam incident from an incident end face is outputted from an outgoing end face in the form of a plurality of split output beams.

Abstract: A phase shift mask is arranged before a laser device through a beam expander, a homogenizer and a mirror, and a processed substrate is set on an opposed surface of the phase shift mask with an image forming optical system therebetween. The processed substrate is held at a predetermined position by using a substrate chuck such as a vacuum chuck or an electrostatic chuck.

Abstract: A crystallization apparatus includes a mask and an illumination system which illuminates the mask with a light beam, the light beam from the illumination system becoming a light beam having a light intensity distribution with an inverse peak pattern when transmitted through the mask, and irradiating a polycrystal semiconductor film or an amorphous semiconductor film, thereby generating a crystallized semiconductor film. The mask includes a light absorption layer having light absorption characteristics according to the light intensity distribution with the inverse peak pattern.

Abstract: Provided is a practical reflecting mirror having a plastic substrate and offering a good balance between reflectivity and durability, both of which are excellent. The reflecting mirror includes a plastic substrate, and a stacked structure formed on the plastic substrate. The stacked structure includes an underlayer film made of aluminum oxide, a reflection film formed on the side opposite to the plastic substrate with respect to the underlayer film, and a water-repellent film having a compound containing fluorine and silicon, which is formed on the side opposite to the underlayer film with respect to the reflection film. This configuration allows preventing moisture permeating through the plastic substrate or moisture permeating through the surface of the reflecting mirror from entering the reflection film. Thus, the reflection film does not undergo corrosion, so that it is possible to ensure a good balance between the reflectivity and the durability, both of which are excellent.

Abstract: An antireflection film having a low reflectance and giving non-tinged reflected light with a low cost, which comprises: a transparent substrate; and a low-refractive layer having a lower refractive index than said transparent substrate, wherein the antireflection film has an average specular reflectance of 0.5% or less at an incidence angle of 5° in a wavelength region of from 450 to 650 nm, and, when CIE standard illuminant D65 in a wavelength region of from 380 to 780 nm is incident on the antireflection film at an incidence angle of 5°, the regular reflection light has a color having a* and b* values in a ranges specified by −7≦a*≦7 and −10*≦b*≦10 in the CIE 1976 L*a*b* color space.

Abstract: An optical element is disclosed for use in a scanning system. The optical element comprises a carbon-based substrate having a first specific stiffness, and a titanium carbide coating having a second specific stiffness. The carbon-based substrate and the titanium carbide coating form a composite having a desired shape. The composite has a third specific stiffness that is greater than the first specific stiffness and greater than the second specific stiffness.

Abstract: An active type tunable wavelength optical filter having a Fabry-Perot structure is disclosed. A tunable wavelength optical filter which comprises a lower mirror in which silicon films and oxide films are sequentially laminated in a multi-layer and the silicon film is laminated on the highest portion; an upper mirror in which silicon films and oxide films are sequentially laminated in a multi-layer and the silicon film is laminated on the highest portion and which is spaced away from the lower mirror by a predetermined distance; a connecting means for connecting and supporting the lower mirror and the upper mirror to a semiconductor substrate; and electrode pads for controlling the gap between the lower mirror and the upper mirror by an electrostatic force and the method of manufacturing the same are provided.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium for recording and reproducing information by irradiation with a laser beam having a wavelength &lgr; of 450 nm or less includes a substrate 14 and a plurality of information layers formed on the substrate. A first information layer 8 closest to an incident side of the laser beam among the plurality of information layers includes a recording layer 4, a reflection layer 6 and a transmittance adjusting layer 7. A transmittance Tc1 (%) of the first information layer 8 at the wavelength &lgr; in a case of the recording layer 4 in a crystal phase and a transmittance Ta1 (%) of the first information layer 8 at the wavelength &lgr; in a case of the recording layer 4 in an amorphous phase satisfy 46<Tc1 and 46<Ta1. Furthermore, a refractive index n1 and an extinction coefficient k1 of the transmittance adjusting layer 7 at the wavelength &lgr;, and a refractive index n2 and an extinction coefficient k2 of the reflection layer 6 at the wavelength &lgr; satisfy 1.

Abstract: When it is complete to unwind a first PVA film from a first film roll, it is started to unwind a second PVA film from a second film roll. A trailing end portion of the first and second PVA film and a leading end portion of the second PVA film are overlaid at a film connecting position. A receive stage and a seal head of a heat sealer sandwiches overlaid portions, and a head body of the seal head heats them so as to thermally melt and adhere the first and second PVA films. During the thermal melt-adhesion, a thermal melt-adhesion line is formed in the overlaid portions of the first and second PVA films.

Abstract: A security device comprising a substrate (1) formed with a surface relief (2) defining an optically variable effect generating structure. At least two different reflection enhancing materials (4, 6) are provided on, or on the same side of the substrate (1) with respect to the surface relief (2), whereby the optically variable effect can be viewed against a background defined by the reflection enhancing materials.

Abstract: A glass structure, such as a mirror facet, having a glass member, a composite structure and a support structure. The composite structure includes a rigid interlayer which is bonded to the glass member and exerts a compressive force thereon to place the glass member in compression. The support structure is used to mount the glass structure and prevents the glass member from collapsing due to the compressive force exerted by the rigid interlayer. The glass structure is particularly well adapted for use in forming heliostats, parabolic dishes, trough concentrators, or other like elements for use in solar power systems, and does not suffer from the limitations or prior forms of such devices.

Abstract: In the present invention, a coating agent comprising photocatalyst particles dispersed in a titanium peroxide solution obtainable by causing titanium hydroxide (orthotitanic acid) gel to act with hydrogen peroxide being used as a material for the photocatalyzer film is used to a photocatalyzer film (18) having photocatalyst particles (18) supported therein. By forming a porous hydrophilic substance film (12) on the photocatalyzer film (18), the defects of the film caused by the wiping can be prevented. Also, a film formed by using the coating agent comprising photocatalyst particles dispersed in a titanium peroxide solution at a temperature of from normal room temperature to 200° C. is of high porosity in comparison with a film formed at a higher temperature and with a film not having a photocatalyst particles dispersed therein. Consequently, the photocatalyzer film (18) and the hydrophilic substance film (12) have good adhesion property when use each other.

Abstract: The invention concerns some type of reflecting mirror that can be utilized as rear-view mirrors for automobiles. Such a mirror is made up of: one layer of amorphous material, not pyrolytic, with refraction index greater than 3.4 and lower than 3.8; one or more layers of materials having refraction index comprised between 1.3 and 1.5. This multi-layer may contain also: one or more layers of materials with refraction index comprised between 2.9 and 2.4; one high reflection layer of metallic type; one absorbent layer. Proposed mirrors, for the optical characteristics and for the disposition of the components, however they have an integral reflection superior to that of the already known other anti-glaring mirrors, they present a glaring in night vision lower than that one of the already known mirrors, because they reduce selectively spectral range to which human eye is more sensible.

Abstract: A method for adjusting an optical system that has a multilayer mirror that includes a multilayer film includes the steps of measuring wave front aberration of the optical system, determining a condition to remove part of the multilayer film in the multilayer mirror so that the wave front aberration measured in the measuring step may reduce, and removing the part of the multilayer film in the multilayer mirror based on the condition determined by the determining step.

Abstract: A material measure in the form of an amplitude grating including a first reflecting layer, a second transparent layer and a third layer, which is partially transparent to light, the third layer comprising a measuring graduation, wherein the second layer is arranged between the first layer and the third layer.

Abstract: A dispersive multilayer mirror (1) comprising several individual layers (2, 3) applied to a carrier substrate (4) and adjoining each other via parallel, plane surfaces having different optical constants and different thicknesses, wherein a wedge-shaped glass platelet (5) is fastened to the outermost individual layer (2) facing away from the carrier substrate (4) by optical contact.

Abstract: An optical element 11 includes a bandpass filter made of a lamination of thin films respectively having different refraction factors so as to selectively allow light emitted from a backlight 6 to pass therethrough, and a polarizer 3, a quarter-wavelength plate 2 located between the bandpass filter 6 and the polarizer 3 so as to prevent light incident from the side of the polarizer 3 from being reflected by the bandpass filter 1 and then emitted from the side of the polarizer 3.

Abstract: A multilayered polymer film includes a first set of optical layers and a second set of optical layers. The first set of optical layers is made from a polyester which is often birefringent. The polyesters of the first set of optical layers typically have a composition in which 70-100 mol % of the carboxylate subunits are first carboxylate subunits and 0-30 mol % are comonomer carboxylate subunits and 70 to 100 mol % of the glycol subunits are first glycol subunits and 0 to 30 mol % of the glycol subunits are comonomer glycol subunits, where at least 0.5 mol % of the combined carboxylate and glycol subunits are comonomer carboxylate or comonomer glycol subunits. The multilayered polymer film may be used to form, for example, a reflective polarizer or a mirror.

Abstract: An objective optical element of an optical pickup apparatus has a magnification m1 satisfying the following formula for a light flux of the wavelength &lgr;1: −1/7≦m1≦−1/25 and |m1|<|M1, M1, where M1 is an optical system magnification from the first light source to the first optical information recording medium for a light flux of the wavelength &lgr;1. The objective optical element comprises a common region and an exclusive region. The exclusive region includes an exclusive diffractive structure having a function to suppress an increase of spherical aberration due to a raise of atmospheric temperature. A light flux of a wavelength &lgr;2 having passed through the exclusive diffractive structure intersects with the optical axis at a position different from the position of the converged light spot formed on the information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium.

Abstract: A variable shape mirror comprises a frame member having an opening, and a thin film having a first region including a reflecting plane and a second region of higher rigidity than the first region disposed in the outer periphery of the first region, being supported in the opening of the frame member. Other variable shape mirror comprises a frame member having a first opening and a second opening, a first thin film having a reflecting plane, forming an electrode, and supported in the first opening of the frame member, a second thin film forming an electrode electrically conducting with the electrode of the first thin film, and supported in the second opening of the frame member, and a substrate bonded to the frame member at a specified interval, and having an electrode at a position opposite to the electrode of the second thin film.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical component for effecting frequency-selective reflection in the gigahertz and terahertz frequency ranges and for effecting wave permeability.

Abstract: A crystallization apparatus includes an image forming optical system which has an image side numerical aperture set to a value required to generate a light intensity distribution with an inverse peak pattern and sets an amorphous semiconductor film and a phase shift mask to an optically conjugate relationship. The phase shift mask has a boundary area which extends along a first axial line, and a first area and a second area which are arranged on both sides of the boundary area have a predetermined phase difference therebetween. The boundary area has a phase distribution which varies from a phase of the first area to a phase of the second area.

Abstract: A half-mirror evaporated layer is formed by spattering all over a front face of a resin substrate, and at the front faces of the reflector parts, an aluminum evaporated layers are further formed to be reflecting mirror faces on the half-mirror evaporated layer, while at the front face of an extension, the half-mirror evaporated face is exposed as a half-mirror face.

Abstract: The current invention is directed to optical MEM devices and methods for making the same. MEM devices, in accordance with the current invention, have one or more movable micro-structures which are preferably ribbon structures or cantilever structures configured for modulating light. The movable micro-structures are patterned from a device layer comprising a silicon nitride under-layer, a reflective metal top-layer and a ceramic compensating layer. The ceramic compensating layer is provided. to reduce stress in the micro-structures which can lead to curvature. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the device layer is formed on a silicon substrate that is preferably etched with trenches before forming the device layer. The device layer is then patterned using lithographic masking and etching techniques to release the patterned device layer and form the movable micro-structures. Portions of the device layer which are formed over the trenches provide support for the released patterned device layer.

Abstract: Methods for producing stress-resistant, antireflective, thin film, sol-derived, optical coatings are provided. The methods comprise providing to a substrate a thin film optical coating including a layer of sol-gel derived cerium oxide and an oxide of silicon, nickel and/or a transition metal selected from Group IIIB through Group VIB of the Periodic Table which is capable of providing a refractive index of at least about 1.90. A multilayer stress-resistant coating is prepared by coating a substrate with an inner layer containing an oxide of titanium and an oxide of silicon, coating the inner layer with a middle layer containing cerium oxide and at least one metal oxide, and coating the middle layer with an outer layer containing an oxide of silicon.

Abstract: Optical films are provided for which the retardation generated, and the wavelength dispersion of that retardation, are able to be controlled. (1) An optical film containing a thermoplastic norbomene resin with a photoelastic coefficient (CP) within a range from 0 to 100 (×10−12 Pa−1), and a stress optical co-efficient (CR) within a range from 1500 to 4000 (×10−12 Pa−1). (2) An optical film containing a thermoplastic norbornene resin either with a group represented by the general formula (2), shown below, or with at least one group selected from the general formulas (3) and (4) shown below. —(CH2)p—O—C(O)—R5.