Optical apparatus

• US 7,054,053 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2004
• Issued: 05/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Inventors: Nishioka, Kimihiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRA, TUYEN Q
• Application Number:
  US10/887,925
• Publication Number:
  US 20050036195A1
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 359/290, 359/291, 359/298, 359/726, 359/754, 359/212, 359/319, 359/320, 359/666, 359/667, 359/676, 359/631, 359/720, 359/739, 359/209, 359/210, 359/211, 349/1, 349/2, 349/13, 349/57, 349/193, 349/200, 349/113, 349/115, 349/116
• US Class Current: 359/291
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0825 the reflecting element being a flexible sheet or membrane, e.g. for varying the focus flexible mirrors for cosmetic use A45D42/24
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/14 of variable focal length

Abstract

An optical system having a deformable mirror is such that, in order to minimize variation of an image position on an imaging plane, or of a ray position, in at least two states where shapes of the deformable mirror are different, first- and lower-order terms of an equation expressing a surface of the deformable mirror are changed in the two states. As a result, an optical system including variable optical-property elements such as a variable focal-length lens, a deformable mirror, and a variable prism, and an optical apparatus having the optical system can be provided which is small in power consumption, noiseless, short in response time, simple in mechanical structure, and low in cost, minimize variation of the image position on the imaging plane, and permits sufficient correction for aberration caused by a shape error or the like.

Claims

1. A variable optical-property element comprising:

a surface configured to deflect light;

a driving device configured to drive the surface; and

positioning marks formed on the surface,

wherein the positioning marks are positioned within a beam passing portion of the surface.

2. A variable optical-property element according to claim 1, wherein a sum area of the positioning marks is ⅕

or less of an area of a portion of the variable optical-property element where an axial beam passes.

3. A variable optical-property element according to claim 1, wherein a sum area of the positioning marks is 1/10 or less of an area of a portion of the variable optical-property element where an axial beam passes.

4. A variable optical-property element according to claim 1, wherein the variable optical-property element is a deformable mirror.

5. An optical apparatus comprising:

a variable optical-property element having a surface configured to deflect light;

a frame configured to hold the variable optical-property element; and

positioning marks,

wherein the positioning marks are provided on the frame.

8. An optical apparatus according to any one of claims 5, 6 and 7, wherein the variable optical-property element is a deformable mirror.

9. An optical apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an image sensor and a display element.

10. An optical apparatus according to any one of claims 5, 6 and 7, further comprising an image sensor and a display element.

6. An optical apparatus comprising:

a variable optical-property element having a surface configured to deflect light;

a frame configured to hold the variable optical-property element; and

positioning marks,

wherein the positioning marks are provided on the frame or a member in a vicinity thereof.

7. An optical apparatus comprising:

a variable optical-property element having a surface configured to deflect light;

a holder member configured to hold the variable optical-property element; and

positioning marks,

wherein the positioning marks are provided in one of the following positions;

on the surface and inside a beam passing portion of the surface;

an a circumference of a surface deformable portion of the variable optical-property element;

outside the circumference of the surface deformable portion;

on a frame on which the variable-optical property element is mounted; and

on a member arranged in a vicinity of the frame.

11. A deformable mirror that satisfies one of the following conditions:

0.3<

S₁/S₂<

0.995

0.4<

S₁/S₂<

0.95

where S₁ is an area of a beam passing portion of the deformable mirror, and S₂ is an area of a surface deformable portion of the deformable mirror.

12. An optical apparatus comprising:

a deformable mirror;

an image sensor; and

a display element,

wherein the deformable mirror satisfies one of the following conditions;

0.3<

S₁/S₂<

0.995

0.4<

S₁/S₂<

0.95

where S₁ is an area of a beam passing portion of the deformable mirror, and S₂ is an area of a surface deformable portion of the deformable mirror.

13. An optical apparatus comprising:

an image sensor;

a display element; and

a variable optical-property element comprising;

a surface configured to deflect light;

a driving device configured to drive the surface; and

positioning marks formed on the surface,

wherein the positioning marks are positioned within a beam passing portion of the surface, and

wherein the variable optical-property element is a deformable mirror.

14. An optical apparatus comprising:

an image sensor;

a display element; and

a variable optical-property element comprising;

a surface configured to deflect light;

a driving device configured to drive the surface; and

positioning marks formed on the surface,

wherein the positioning marks are positioned within a beam passing portion of the surface.

15. A variable optical property element comprising:

a surface; and

positioning marks formed on the surface,

wherein the positioning marks are positioned within a beam passing portion of the surface, and

wherein a sum area of the positioning marks is ⅕

or less of an area of a portion of the variable optical-property element where an axial beam passes.

16. A variable optical property element comprising:

a surface; and

positioning marks formed on the surface,

wherein the positioning marks are positioned within a beam passing portion of the surface, and

wherein a sum area of the positioning marks is 1/10 or less of an area of a portion of the variable optical-property element where an axial beam passes.