Abstract: A distributed refractive index type optical transmission plastic article has a circular cross section of a radius r.sub.0 which is in a range of 0.4 to 0.6 mm. A refractive index distribution of the optical transmission article substantially approximates a predetermined ideal refractive index distribution curve at least in a range of 0.25r.sub.0 to 0.70r.sub.0 extending from a center axis toward a peripheral surface of the article. A refractive index n.sub.0 at a central part of the article is in a range of 1.4 to 1.6. The article has a refractive index distribution constant of larger than 0.15 mm.sup.-1 and smaller than 0.3 mm.sup.-1, and a modulation transfer function of at least 55%. This optical transmission article is made from uncured liquid substances each having a viscosity of between 10.sup.3 and 10.sup.8 poises. N (N.gtoreq.2) uncured liquid substances having refractive indexes n of n.sub.1 >n.sub.2 >n.sub.3 . . . n.sub.

Abstract: An optical panel 10 includes a plurality of waveguides 12 stacked together, with each waveguide 12 having a first end 12a and an opposite second end 12b. The first ends 12a collectively define a first face 16, and the second ends 12b collectively define a second face 18 of the panel 10. The second face 18 is disposed at an acute face angle relative to the waveguides 12 to provide a panel 10 which is relatively thin compared to the height of the second face. In an exemplary embodiment for use in a projection TV, the first face 16 is substantially smaller in height than the second face 18 and receives a TV image, with the second face 18 defining a screen for viewing the image enlarged.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a fiber optic display screen is disclosed where a fiber is guided onto a revolving drum and disposed into input and output clamps located on the surface of the drum. The fiber guiding device allows the fiber to be precisely located on the surface of the drum in a hexagonal offset pattern in corresponding locals in the input and output clamps. The strand is continuously guided over several layers of long thin rectangular slotted spacers until the desired height of the display is created. The fibers between the output spacers are then cut to form two or more rectangular or square shaped fiber optic display screen apparatus. Large display screens can be constructed by placing several sections of these display apparatus together.

Abstract: A flexible fiber optic illuminator 10 for inspecting an interior space, comprises a thin fiber optic element 12 composed of a plurality of optic fibers 20 arranged in at least one substantially planar layer having front and back sides 32,34. Thin stiffner members 24,26 are arranged adjacent to the optic fibers 20 to provide reinforcement. First and second layers 28,30 of adhesive material having adhering means on one side only, are fixedly adhered to the back and front sides of the planar layer 22. A protective jacket 36 for optic fibers 20 and stiffner members 24,26 is therefore defined by first and second adhesive layers 28,30. A light source 14 coupled to the fiber optic element 12 is provided for illuminating the optic fibers 20.

Abstract: A method of making an optical scanner is disclosed that includes light transmitting and receiving optical fibers to illuminate and scan an image to be copied, transmitted or stored.

Abstract: Optical waveguide array imaging devices have a darkened surface layer in the cladding portion. The imaging devices of the invention have high contrast which is generally independent of pathlength. A method for contrast enhancement in such arrays is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus as described by which very low light levels emitted typically by very small regions such as individual cells in cultured monolayers, can be more readily detected by a detector such as a CCD detector or image intensifier. The light capturing aid is a fibre optic face plate located between the light emitting material and the detector, but not in contact with the light emitting material. Where the latter is contained on a surface such as a petri dish, the face plate is positioned between the dish and the detector with at least an air gap between the face plate and the detector.

Abstract: An optical fiber array is used as a blur filter in imaging apparatus to limit high spatial frequencies incident upon an image sensor, and thereby to reduce undersampling artifacts. The optical fiber array includes optical fibers disposed in the path of incident image light at an angle to the optical axis of the sensor such that the optical fibers composing the array emit an annular pattern of light over adjacent photosites, thereby producing a blurred image. The annular pattern of light has a mean radius that remains substantially the same regardless of changes in the optical aperture of the imaging path, with only the thickness of the annular pattern changing with aperture.

Abstract: A light valve is a planar member in which liquid crystals are hermetically sealed, and allows the transmission of light in an almost parallel direction and selectively scattering undesired light. On a rear surface of the light valve is disposed a light guide tube which contains a plurality of minute apertures. Alternatively, one of the substrates which constitute the light valve may be made of a fiber plate. The fiber plate has a structure in which short optical fibers are stacked. The light guide tube or the fiber plate converges a luminous flux emitted from the light valve to improve the contrast of an image. A projection display apparatus is constituted of a light source, a light valve, either a light guide tube or a fiber plate, a lens, and a projection lens. A luminous flux emitted from either the light guide tube or the fiber plate is incident on the pupil of the projection lens by way of the lens, and the projection lens casts this luminous flux onto a screen, thus forming a projected image.

Abstract: An imaging ball lens for wide field of view applications includes three elements. A first element is a plano-convex lens element with a convex and planar surface, the convex surface positioned facing an object side of the lens. The second plano-convex lens element has a convex and a planar surface. The planar surface of the second lens element is positioned facing the object side of the lens such that it is optically coupled to the planar surface of the first lens element. Also included is a plano-concave fiber optic faceplate with a concave and a planar surface. The concave surface of the faceplate is optically coupled to the convex surface of the second lens element facing the object side of the lens such that it is optically immersed with the fiber optic faceplate.

Abstract: The present invention eliminates the relay lens systems found in conventional helmet mounted displays (HMDs) by removing field distortions and aberrations with a contoured fiber optic faceplate placed in close proximity to a liquid crystal display (LCD) or cathode ray tube. The optical system typically consists of a spherical dielectric or holographically made collimator-combiner, a dielectric or holographically made fold mirror, and a contoured fiber optic faceplate. The fold mirror is flat, and the collimator-combiner is made by coating a spherical eye glass blank. The system is configured as a folded and tilted catadioptric projector with the novel feature being the contoured faceplate. There are no dispersive elements in the imaging assembly which means it can be completely polychromatic (full color) without the need for additional color correction optics as found in all refractive color systems.

Abstract: An optical fiber array is used as a blur filter in imaging apparatus to limit high spatial frequencies incident upon an image sensor, and thereby to reduce undersampling artifacts. The optical fiber array is disposed in the path of incident image light a predetermined distance from the image sensor such that at least some of the optical fibers composing the array emit a cone of light over adjacent photosites, thereby producing a blurred image. The blurring effect can also be obtained by using a pseudo-random array of fibers, and the imaging assembly can be additionally simplified by using the fiber optic array as a protective cover plate for the sensor.

Abstract: An improved fiber optic panel having a desired illumination pattern is assembled from at least two partial panels, each comprising a plurality of fully terminated parallel fibers. Two or more such partial arrays are combined to fabricate a optical fiber substrate having an arbitrary illumination pattern. The non-illuminated fiber lengths extending from the individual fiber terminations are removed before the two partial arrays are assembled, thus further enhancing the efficiency of the device. In a preferred embodiment the fibers of each partial array have a center-to-center spacing slightly greater than twice the fiber diameters, and the fibers of the two partial arrays are intermeshed to form a closely packed parallel array of fibers in which a fully terminated shorter fiber is located between two longer fibers.

Abstract: An FOFP has a darkened surface layer in the cladding portion to reduce cross-talk. One embodiment has an intagliated surface with darkened cavity walls. Darkening is achieved on a finished piece without further reworking. The surface is substantially free of fluorescence and is substantially non-conductive.

Abstract: A fiber optic display screen for use in high ambient light environments. A source of high intensity light is provided the output of which is controlled by a light gate control. The light gate control comprises a plurality of individual light shutters which pass or obstruct light from the high intensity light. Each of the plurality of light shutters includes an optic fiber which extends from the shutter output to an area remote therefrom where the distal ends of the fibers are terminated along the same vertical plane with each of the optic fibers positioned in the same relative location as the shutter end. Light passing through individual shutters of the plurality of shutters is displayed at the same location at the distal ends thereof. By selectively operating specific shutters to allow light from the high intensity light to pass through the optic fibers intelligent information can be formed at the distal ends of the plurality of optic fibers.

Abstract: A revised image plane translator (RIPT) for a multi-pixel display is made by forming an array of subpixel position cells of refractive index n.sub.a glass frit in a binder, enclosing each cell in lower refractive index n.sub.b or n.sub.c glass frit, vitrifying the array by curing at vitrification temperature for a appropriate time, cutting the array into plates of appropriate thickness to serve as face plates, and then adding appropriate pixel controls and colorations. As a result, the face plate is inexpensive to make, robust, and of very high image quality since each pixel is a cell insulated from its neighboring cells by glass of lower refractive index n.sub.b or n.sub.c ; this traps light within the cell so that the cell can transmit the pixel without interference from its neighboring pixel position cells. There is no loss of resolution due to divergence through the thickness of the face plate.

Abstract: An improved fiber optic backlighting panel provides increased background illumination relative to the amount of light transmitted therethrough, in devices such as rubber keypads, membrane switches, liquid crystal displays, rigid panels or the like. The fiber optic panel comprises a light source and a layer of optical fibers arranged adjacent each other which transmit the light beamed therein to different locations throughout the device, to provide increased and uniform intensity of light at specific locations or uniformly distributed light throughout the device. The optical fibers are selectively terminated at the different locations by forming holes through the layer of optical fibers with a laser, according to a predetermined geometric pattern of dot locations stored in a computer memory. In one specific embodiment for application in liquid crystal displays, a layer of foam is used to diffuse and scatter light to provide uniform illumination.

Abstract: High-temperature resistant fiber optic units are produced by coating individual glass fibers, either individually or in a bundle of fibers and with or without encasing the coated fiber or fiber with a sheath or sleeve, a liquid silica sol bonding agent which optionally contains an inorganic filler and then hardening the coated fiber, bundle of fibers or a plurality of the bundles with heat or under vacuum, to produce a fiber optic unit which can be stressed at temperatures of up to about 600.degree. C.

Abstract: A bundle (12) of optical fibers (13) is fixed in a matrix array by apertures in a guiding plate (14) and a securing plate (15). The apertures (18) in the guiding plate are larger than those in the securing plate and the securing plate apertures (17) are funnel-shaped to aid in insertion of the fibers. Each row of optical fibers may be inserted simultaneously by mounting the row on a uniquely designed vacuum holder (26).

Abstract: The resolution of an LED print bar used in printing applications is modified by optically coupling the print bar, in a preferred embodiment, to a two row, square ended, reduction enlargement gradient index lens array. The lens array is modified to have a radiometric speed suitable for printing applications (f/3 or faster) with a total conjugate long enough to maintain optical quality at full field. In a preferred embodiment, a nominal 480 spi print bar is coupled to a modified 0.80X R/E lens array to provide a resolution in an image plane of 600 spi. Other embodiments are described which utilize a plurality of print bars with a combination of unity magnification gradient index lens array in conjunction with a modified R/E lens array.

Abstract: An image transmitting element is disclosed, which comprises: a transparent substrate; photo-transmissible holes one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally formed as an array in the substrate, each of the holes having a substantially cylindrical side surface and at least two substantially semi-spherical surfaces; a photo-absorptive surface formed on at least a part of the cylindrical side surface of the photo-transmissible holes; and a transparent material with which the photo-transmissible holes are filled, the transparent material having a refractive index higher than that of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention makes it possible to construct large screens by associating several image intensifier modules.A module comprises an input face (2) receiving the image to be intensified, an output face (10) reconstituting the intensified image and a bundle (8) of optical fibres.The process according to the invention consists of producing bands (16) of optical fibres, each band corresponding to a line or row of the image and collectively put into place the non-contiguous ends (12) of the output face in a matrix output support (14). The latter can be obtained either by moulding, or by constructing beforehand injection moulded strips, which are then introduced into a grid or grating.

Abstract: The photorefractive effect results in a change in the refractive index of bulk chalcogenide glass when it is exposed to certain wavelengths of light, in particular, sub-band-gap light. The effect results in a variety of device structures including a fiber optic faceplate; an optical waveguide; a fiber tap; a lens and a Bragg grating. Methods for fabricating the various devices are described.

Abstract: A flat display panel (53) including a sandwich of thin film layers (52) with indices of refraction that increase the luminance and contrast of the display is disclosed. The sandwich of thin film layers (52), progressing backward from the front major surface of the sandwich, includes a front electrode layer (56), a front dielectric layer (58), a phosphor layer (60), a back dielectric layer (62), and a back electrode layer (64). The index of refraction of the front dielectric layer (58) is greater than or equal to the index of refraction of the phosphor layer (60), such that nearly all light rays projecting forward from the phosphor layer (60) pass into the front dielectric layer (58). The front electrode layer (56) can comprise relatively wide transparent strips, separated by small distances, or the front electrode layer (104) can comprise narrow strips (106) that are opaque and highly conductive.

Abstract: An improvement for a large screen display eliminates the gap/grid line wh is otherwise present between abutted display modules. Each of the display modules has a light-emanating/reflecting display surface which provides a visual indication of the information content on a problem of a visual display for the large screen. A diverging strip is superimposed over each gap/grid line and at least a portion of the butting light-radiating display surfaces so that light is diverged from the abutted light-radiating surfaces to optically mask the gap/grid line and present a continuous uniterrupted display across the surface of the large screen display. The diverging strip can be tilted hollow fiber microchannels, tilted optical fibers or tilted plastic fibers inclined or fan-shaped at about a 10.degree.-15.degree. angle so that the gap/grip lines are optically masked.

Abstract: A fiber optic phosphor screen is made of an optical fiber bundle having individual fibers arranged in parallel with opposite ends thereof extending between internal and external surfaces of the screen. The ends of the individual fibers at the internal surface of the screen have phosphor islands bonded only to the core portions in order to provide a pseudo-intagliated phosphor layer. A reflective layer is coated over the phosphor islands in between on the cladding portions of the fibers. A method for producing the fiber optic phosphor screen includes the steps of applying a phosphor-photoresist layer to the ends of the fibers at the internal surface of the screen, illuminating the opposite ends of the fibers such that only the portions of the phosphor-photoresist layer on the core portions of the fibers are developed and bonded thereto, and removing the undeveloped portions of the phosphor-photoresist layer to leave behind phosphor islands bonded to the core portions.

Abstract: A precision glass jig is formed to properly position ribbons of optical fibers for the area end of a fiber optic bundle forming the entrance field of an optical subsystem for an electronic printer. The opposite ends of the ribbons are aligned side-by-side and coupled against an electrostatic drum. The ribbons are inserted into slots in the glass jig, each ribbon providing a bearing surface for guiding the adjacent ribbon into the respective slot. A spacing tool may be used to temporarily separate adjacent ribbons for ensuring initial alignment and also for guiding insertion of the ribbons into the slots.

Abstract: An optical fiber array is disclosed that is useful in a print head of a thermal printer. The array is comprised of materials that hold a collection of output ends of optical fibers in precise alignment to each other and to a well defined plane. The materials of the array are selected so that each material has a polishing rate that is substantially the same. This selection of materials facilitates efficient fabrication of the arrays. Additionally, a fixture that facilitates ease of assembly and finishing of the array is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for coupling a coherent fiber-optic bundle to an electro-optical sensor. This invention provides accuracy and durability of coupling in operating conditions characterized by vibrations, shocks and fluctuating temperatures and pressures. It also reduces the reject rate previously experienced in such assembly work. The apparatus and method of the present invention employ a rigid guide plate for initiating and in most cases preserving transverse and angular alignment of the component bundle and sensor, and a transparent flexible cement to establish the correct proximity between the electro-optical sensor and the fiber-optic bundle and to achieve permanent mating of those two components. In certain applications the rigid guide plate can be dispensed with after assembly and curing of the cement.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mounting a second optical component on a first optical component using a spacer layer for forming a controlled gap between the two components. In a preferred embodiment, a CCD sensor is formed having a non-active area and an active area for detecting lightwaves. A spacer layer of an epoxy or similar material is formed on at least a portion of the non-active area of the sensor. A fiber optic faceplate is mounted on the spacer layer to form the controlled gap between the active area of the CCD sensor and the faceplate. The fiber optic faceplate has a predetermined index of refraction for passing lightwaves towards the active area of the sensor. A coupling compound, having an index of refraction which substantially matches that of the faceplate, is used to fill the controlled gap between the faceplate and the active area of the sensor.

Abstract: An optical waveguide and an image sensor using the same, the optical waveguide comprising a plurality of bar-shaped cores that are aligned in a proper manner, the cores being made of transparent materials with a large refractive index, and a cladding that is disposed around the cores, the cladding being made of materials with a small refractive index that are capable of absorbing or scattering light, wherein part of each of said cores on which irradiated light is incident is uncovered, or part of said cladding on which irradiated light is incident is transparent.

Abstract: An optical writing head which is simplified in construction and reduced in production cost. The optical writing head comprises a light emitting means, and a substrate on which the light emission means is mounted. The substrate has a light transmitting property at a portion thereof which opposes to the light emitting means. Light emitted from the light emitting means is taken out through the substrate so that it may be irradiated upon a light receiving body. A fiber bundle may be provided with one end opposed to the light emitting means and with the other end opposed to an object for exposure. Where the head is of a type wherein it contacts with an object when it optically writes, the other end of the fiber bundle is formed into a curved face, but where the head is of another type wherein it does not contact with an object when writing, a gas blowing out means is provided to assure a gap between the other end of the fiber bundle and an object.