A multiple depth display provided for displaying images at different depths comprises a single display device (61), for displaying all of the images. An optical system (62, 63, 64) is disposed in front of the display device (61). The optical system comprises first and second spaced-apart partial reflectors (62, 63) and polarization optics (64) for providing first and second light paths for first and second images or sequences of images displayed by the device (61). The first light path (65) comprises partial transmission through the first reflector (62), partial reflection from the second reflector (63), partial reflection from the first reflector (62), and partial transmission through the second reflector (65) towards a viewing region.

Display, instrument panel, optical system and optical instrument

The present invention relates to an optical system for directing light from an image source to a viewer's eye. The system includes an image source providing an image source light; a collimator for receiving the image source light and converting the received image source light into a collimated light projected along a first optical path; and a planar diffractive relay including opposing planar surfaces longitudinally oriented substantially along a second optical path, the opposing planar surfaces terminating into an input tilted surface and an output tilted surface. The collimated light is projected along the first optical path and redirected by the input tilted surface as propagated light travelling in the second optical path. The propagated light travelling in the second optical path is redirected by the output tilted surface into a third optical path directed toward the viewer's eye.

Planar diffractive relay

The assembly includes a plurality of individual pulse lasers arranged to be successively triggered at predetermined time intervals. A single light transmissive body receives the output pulses from the lasers at different input angles so that the respective pulses follow different path lengths in the body. The sequence of firing of the lasers and the respective angles are such that pulses exiting from the body will all exit substantially simultaneously. The result is a high energy concentration of output light.

Multiple pulse laser assemblies

A prism partly of a solid glass block enclosed with inoperative planes is provided on the inoperative planes with transparent members each of which comprises a light transmission part and a light attenuation part having a great number of either superfine prismatic protuberances or small acute indentations formed over the whole outer surface thereof. The transparent member has a refractive index of n 1 which satisfies the following condition: n.sub.1 ≧n.sub.0 -0.03 wherein n 0 is the refractive index of the prism. A ray of light incident upon the polished surface of the inoperative plane at an angle less than a critical angle passes the through transmission part and then is gradually attenuated as it is repeatedly reflected by the internal surfaces of the prismatic protuberance.

Prism with no detrimental internal reflection

A beam splitting apparatus generates, from incident light having a specific polarization, first and second split light that has the specific polarization.

Beam splitting apparatus, transmittance measurement apparatus, and exposure apparatus

A method of forming two diverging beams of energy from a single beam of energy including the steps of splitting the single beam of energy into an externally reflected beam and an internally transmitted beam at a first surface on a wedge shaped energy beam splitting device; splitting the internally transmitted beam into an internally reflected beam and an externally transmitted beam at a second surface of the wedge shaped energy beam splitting device, and substantially totally reflecting the internally reflected beam between the first and second surfaces until the internally reflected beam reaches an end of the wedge shaped energy beam splitting device. The above method may further include steps paralleling the above steps wherein two diverging beams of energy are formed from a second beam of energy impinging on the second surface and then combining the two diverging beams with the two diverging beams formed from the beam of energy split by the first surface, to form first and second combined beams. The preferred apparatus for performing the method is an energy beam splitting device having a first surface for splitting an incident beam energy into an externally reflected beam and an internally transmitted beams, a second surface spaced from the first surface for splitting the internally transmitted beam into an externally transmitted beam and into an internally reflected beam, and the second surface intersecting the first surface at an angle that impinges the internally transmitted beam on the second surface at an angle of incidence that is less than the minimum angle necessary for substantially total internal reflection and impinges said internally reflected beam on the first surface at an angle of incidence that exceeds the minimum angle necessary for substantially total internal reflection. The above device may further be used as a beam combiner by having the second surface split a second incident beam of energy into two diverging beams of energy and combining the two beams produced by the first surface with the two beams produced by the second surface to form first and second combined beams.

/pdf/method-and-apparatus-for-splitting-a-beam-of-energy-3np9ng780a.pdf

Leeb Walter Robert Ing

Papers

Method and apparatus for splitting a beam of energy

Procede et appareil pour diviser un rayonnement d'energie