IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,336,878

Granted Patent B2

US 7,336,878 · App. 10/363,663 · Granted Feb 26, 2008

Optical device

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 7,336,878
App. No.: 10/363,663
Granted: Feb 26, 2008
Kind: B2

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Abstract

The invention has an object to provide an optical device which can directly and efficiently introduce a planar incident light as it is and can efficiently obtain a planar total reflected light on a desirable interface without using a light guiding plate or an optical waveguide, and is constituted by a reflector having no absorption without depending on an incidence angle. The invention provides a planar optical device characterized by such a feature that when an incident light is introduced like a plane into the optical device, at least apart of the incident light thus introduced is totally reflected by an interface of layers constituting the optical device, while the incident light is not substantially emitted from an opposite side to an incident light introduction side.

Claims (182)

1. A planar optical device characterized in that an optical element for changing an optical path and an optical element for selecting an optical path are provided in this order from an incident light introduction side in a direction of a thickness of the optical device, a transparent medium is provided in the optical device, and when an incident light is introduced like a plane into the optical element for changing an optical path, at least a part of the incident light thus introduced is introduced into the optical element for selecting an optical path and the substantially whole incident light thus introduced is reflected through a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) by an interface of layers constituting the optical device,

wherein the incident light is totally reflected through the TIR by the interface of layers when the incident light has a greater angle component than a total reflecting critical angle, and

wherein the optical element for changing an optical path includes and forward outputs a light having an angle θt to satisfy at least a condition of sin θt>nw/nt, in which nt represents a mean refractive index of the optical element for changing an optical path, nw represents a refractive index of a medium on a forward side of a total reflecting interface in a front part of the optical path, and θt represents an angle of a light advancing in a medium of the optical element for changing an optical path.

2. A planar optical device characterized in that an optical element for selecting an optical path and a transparent medium are provided in the optical device, and at least a part of a planar incident light introduced in the optical device is introduced into the optical element for selecting an optical path and the substantially whole incident light thus introduced is totally reflected through a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) by an interface of layers constituting the optical device,

wherein the incident light is totally reflected through the TIR by the interface of layers when the incident light has a greater angle component than a total reflecting critical angle,

wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a light interference filter including a dielectric multilayer film, and

wherein the dielectric multilayer film comprises any one of an electron beam coevaporated film or a sputtered film.

3. A planar optical device characterized in that an optical element for changing an optical path and an optical element for selecting an optical path are provided in this order from an incident light introduction side in a direction of a thickness of the optical device, a transparent medium is provided in the optical device, and when an incident light is introduced like a plane into the optical element for changing an optical path, at least a part of the incident light thus introduced is introduced into the optical element for selecting an optical path and the substantially whole incident light thus introduced is reflected through a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) by an interface of layers constituting the optical device,

wherein the incident light is totally reflected through the TIR by the interface of layers when the incident light has a greater angle component than a total reflecting critical angle,

wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a light interference filter including a dielectric multilayer film, and

wherein the dielectric multilayer film comprises any one of an electron beam coevaporated film or a sputtered film.

4. A planar optical device characterized in that an optical element for changing an optical path is provided in the optical device, and at least a part of a planar incident light introduced in the optical device is introduced into the optical element for changing an optical path and the substantially whole incident light thus introduced is totally reflected through a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) by an interface of layers constituting the optical device,

wherein a medium constituting a part of the optical device is provided in a frontmost part of the optical path of the optical device, and a front or rear interface of an optical path for an incident light of the medium is set to be an interface generating the TIR, and

wherein, for the interface generating the TIR, a rear part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na>nb if sin −1 (nb/na)≦θ is set, and a front part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na>nb if sin −1 (1/na)<θ<sin −1 (nb/na) is set, and

the front part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na≦nb if sin −1 (1/na)≦θ is set,

in which nb represents a mean refractive index of the medium, na represents a mean refractive index of a layer provided in the rear part of the optical path of the medium, and θ represents an angle of a light advancing in the layer of the rear part of the optical path.

5. A planar optical device characterized in that an optical element for selecting an optical path is provided in the optical device, and at least a part of a planar incident light introduced in the optical device is introduced into the optical element for selecting an optical path and the substantially whole incident light thus introduced is totally reflected through a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) by an interface of layers constituting the optical device,

the front part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na≦nb if sin −1 (1/na)≦θ is set,

6. A planar optical device characterized in that an optical element for changing an optical path and an optical element for selecting an optical path are provided in this order from an incident light introduction side in a direction of a thickness of the optical device, and when an incident light is introduced like a plane into the optical element for changing an optical path, at least a part of the incident light thus introduced is introduced into the optical element for selecting an optical path and the substantially whole incident light thus introduced is reflected through a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) by an interface of layers constituting the optical device,

the front part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na≦nb if sin −1 (1/na)≦θ is set,

7. A planar optical device characterized in that an optical element for changing an optical path is provided in the optical device, and at least a part of a planar incident light introduced in the optical device is introduced into the optical element for changing an optical path and the substantially whole incident light thus introduced is totally reflected through a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) by an interface of layers constituting the optical device,

8. A planar optical device characterized in that an optical element for changing an optical path and an optical element for selecting an optical path are provided in this order from an incident light introduction side in a direction of a thickness of the optical device, and when an incident light is introduced like a plane into the optical element for changing an optical path, at least a part of the incident light thus introduced is introduced into the optical element for selecting an optical path and the substantially whole incident light thus introduced is reflected through a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) by an interface of layers constituting the optical device,

9. A planar optical device characterized in that an optical element for selecting an optical path and a transparent medium are provided in the optical device, and at least a part of a planar incident light introduced in the optical device is introduced into the optical element for selecting an optical path and the substantially whole incident light thus introduced is totally reflected through a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) by an interface of layers constituting the optical device,

wherein the incident light is totally reflected through the TIR by the interface of layers when the incident light has a greater angle component than a total reflecting critical angle, and

wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path has such a feature that a substantially whole transmitted light which is emitted from the optical element has a greater angle component than a total reflecting critical angle on an interface of layers in a front part of an optical path for the incident light from the optical element for selecting an optical path or an interface in a front part of the optical path for the incident light of the optical element for selecting an optical path and incident lights having other angle components are selectively reflected and are not transmitted.

10. A planar optical device characterized in that an optical element for changing an optical path and an optical element for selecting an optical path are provided in this order from an incident light introduction side in a direction of a thickness of the optical device, a transparent medium is provided in the optical device, and when an incident light is introduced like a plane into the optical element for changing an optical path, at least a part of the incident light thus introduced is introduced into the optical element for selecting an optical path and the substantially whole incident light thus introduced is reflected through a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) by an interface of layers constituting the optical device,

wherein the incident light is totally reflected through the TIR by the interface of layers when the incident light has a greater angle component than a total reflecting critical angle, and

11. A planar optical device characterized in that an optical element for selecting an optical path and a transparent medium are provided in the optical device, and at least a part of a planar incident light introduced in the optical device is introduced into the optical element for selecting an optical path and the substantially whole incident light thus introduced is totally reflected through a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) by an interface of layers constituting the optical device,

wherein the incident light is totally reflected through the TIR by the interface of layers when the incident light has a greater angle component than a total reflecting critical angle, and

wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path transmits a substantially whole light having an angle θs to satisfy a condition of sin θs>nw/ns, in which ns represents a mean refractive index of the optical element for selecting an optical path, nw represents a refractive index of a medium on a forward side of a total reflecting interface in a front part of the optical path, and θs represents an angle of a light advancing in the medium of the optical element for selecting an optical path.

12. A planar optical device characterized in that an optical element for changing an optical path and an optical element for selecting an optical path are provided in this order from an incident light introduction side in a direction of a thickness of the optical device, a transparent medium is provided in the optical device, and when an incident light is introduced like a plane into the optical element for changing an optical path, at least a part of the incident light thus introduced is introduced into the optical element for selecting an optical path and the substantially whole incident light thus introduced is reflected through a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) by an interface of layers constituting the optical device,

wherein the incident light is totally reflected through the TIR by the interface of layers when the incident light has a greater angle component than a total reflecting critical angle, and

13. A planar optical device characterized in that an optical element for selecting an optical path and a transparent medium are provided in the optical device, and at least a pan of a planar incident light introduced in the optical device is introduced into the optical element for selecting an optical path and the substantially whole incident light thus introduced is totally reflected through a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) by an interface of layers constituting the optical device,

wherein the incident light is totally reflected through the TIR by the interface of layers when the incident light has a greater angle component than a total reflecting critical angle, and

wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path has a function of selectively carrying out a reflection for a wavelength area of an incident light, and a wavelength of the incident light to be reflected selectively is shifted toward a short-wavelength side when an incidence angle of the incident light on the optical element for selecting an optical path is reduced with respect to a surface of the optical element.

14. A planar optical device characterized in that an optical element for changing an optical path and an optical element for selecting an optical path are provided in this order from an incident light introduction side in a direction of a thickness of the optical device, a transparent medium is provided in the optical device, and when an incident light is introduced like a plane into the optical element for changing an optical path, at least a part of the incident light thus introduced is introduced into the optical element for selecting an optical path and the substantially whole incident light thus introduced is reflected through a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) by an interface of layers constituting the optical device,

wherein the incident light is totally reflected though the TIR by the interface of layers when the incident light has a greater angle component than a total reflecting critical angle, and

15. The optical device according to claims 9 or 10 , wherein the substantially whole incident light which is reflected totally through the TIR is returned to the incident light introduction side of the optical device.

16. The optical device according to claims 9 or 10 , wherein the layer constituting the optical device is not substantially absorbed into a wavelength area of the incident light.

17. The optical device according to claim 10 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path and the optical element for selecting an optical path are provided in this order in a front part of an optical path of the transparent medium.

18. The optical device according to claims 9 or 10 , wherein a medium constituting a part of the optical device is provided in a frontmost part of the optical path of the optical device, and a front or rear interface of an optical path for an incident light of the medium is set to be an interface generating the TIR.

19. The optical device according to claim 18 , wherein, for the interface generating the TIR, a rear part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na>nb if sin −1 (nb/na)≦θ is set, and a front part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na>nb if sin −1 (1/na)<θ<sin −1 (nb/na) is set, and

the front part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na≦nb if sin −1 (1/na)≦θ is set,

20. The optical device according to claim 10 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path serves to change the optical path by a refraction.

21. The optical device according to claim 20 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path is any of a lens array, a prism array and a heterorefractive index distribution member having various refractive indices distributed.

22. The optical device according to claim 10 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path serves to change the optical path by a diffraction.

23. The optical device according to claim 22 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path is any of a volume hologram, a phase modulation type diffraction grating and an amplitude modulation type diffraction grating.

24. The optical device according to claim 10 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path serves to change an optical path by a light diffusion.

25. The optical device according to claim 24 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path is a porous member, a heterorefractive index distribution member, a dispersion member, a diffusion member having a concavo-convex surface or a scattering member.

26. The optical device according to claim 10 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path serves to change an optical path by a light reflection.

27. The optical device according to claims 9 or 10 , wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a light interference filter including a dielectric multilayer film.

28. The optical device according to claims 9 or 10 , wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a Bragg reflecting filter including a cholesteric liquid crystal and a volume hologram.

29. The optical device according to claims 9 or 10 , wherein the incident light is a collimated light ranging within a specific incidence angle.

30. The optical device according to claims 9 or 10 , wherein the incident light is a diffused light having an optional incidence angle.

31. The optical device according to claims 9 or 10 , wherein a light source is provided in the optical device and the incident light is emitted from the light source.

32. The optical device according to claims 9 or 10 , wherein a reflector for transmitting, toward the optical device side again, a light which is once incident on the optical device and is reflected by the optical device is provided opposite to an incident light introduction side of the optical device.

33. The optical device according to claims 9 or 10 , wherein the incident light is any of a UV light, a visible light and an infrared light.

34. The optical device according to claims 9 or 10 , wherein the incident light is emitted from any of a discharge lamp, a laser beam source, a LED, an inorganic or organic EL, an incandescent lamp, a cathode-ray lamp and an FED.

35. The optical device according to claim 9 ,

wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a light interference filter including a dielectric multilayer film, and

wherein the dielectric multilayer film comprises an organic multilayer film.

36. The optical device according to claim 10 ,

wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a light interference filter including a dielectric multilayer film, and

wherein the dielectric multilayer film comprises an organic multilayer film.

37. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein the substantially whole incident light which is reflected totally through the TIR is returned to the incident light introduction side of the optical device.

38. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein the layer constituting the optical device is not substantially absorbed into a wavelength area of the incident light.

39. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path and the optical element for selecting an optical path are provided in this order in a front part of an optical path of the transparent medium.

40. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein a medium constituting a part of the optical device is provided in a frontmost part of the optical path of the optical device, and a front or rear interface of an optical path for an incident light of the medium is set to be an interface generating the TIR.

41. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein, for the interface generating the TIR, a rear part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na>nb if sin −1 (nb/na)≦θ is set, and a front part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na>nb if sin −1 (1/na)<θ<sin −1 (nb/na) is set, and

the front part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na≦nb if sin −1 (1/na)≦θ is set,

42. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path includes and forward outputs a light having an angle θt to satisfy at least a condition of sin θt>nw/nt, in which nt represents a mean refractive index of the optical element for changing an optical path, nw represents a refractive index of a medium on a forward side of a total reflecting interface in a front part of the optical path, and θt represents an angle of a light advancing in a medium of the optical element for changing an optical path.

43. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path serves to change the optical path by a refraction.

44. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path is any of a lens array, a prism array and a heterorefractive index distribution member having various refractive indices distributed.

45. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path serves to change the optical path by a diffraction.

46. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path is any of a volume hologram, a phase modulation type diffraction grating and an amplitude modulation type diffraction grating.

47. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path is a porous member, a heterorefractive index distribution member, a dispersion member, a diffusion member having a concavo-convex surface or a scattering member.

48. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein when an incidence angle of the incident light on a total reflecting interface in a front part of an optical path for the incident light in the optical element for selecting an optical path is equal to or smaller than a total reflecting critical angle, the optical element for selecting an optical path selectively reflects the substantially whole incident light.

49. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a light interference filter including a dielectric multilayer film.

50. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a Bragg reflecting filter including a cholesteric liquid crystal and a volume hologram.

51. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein the incident light is a collimated light ranging within a specific incidence angle.

52. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein the incident light is a diffused light having an optional incidence angle.

53. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein a light source is provided in the optical device and the incident light is emitted from the light source.

54. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein a reflector for transmitting, toward the optical device side again, a light which is once incident on the optical device and is reflected by the optical device is provided opposite to an incident light introduction side of the optical device.

55. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein the incident light is any of a UV light, a visible light and an infrared light.

56. The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein the incident light is emitted from any of a discharge lamp, a laser beam source, a LED, an inorganic or organic EL, an incandescent lamp, a cathode-ray lamp and an FED.

57. The optical device according to claim 11 ,

wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a light interference filter including a dielectric multilayer film, and

wherein the dielectric multilayer film comprises any one of an electron beam coevaporated film or a sputtered film.

58. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the substantially whole incident light which is reflected totally through the TIR is returned to the incident light introduction side of the optical device.

59. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the layer constituting the optical device is not substantially absorbed into a wavelength area of the incident light.

60. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path and the optical element for selecting an optical path are provided in this order in a front part of an optical path of the transparent medium.

61. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein a medium constituting a part of the optical device is provided in a frontmost part of the optical path of the optical device, and a front or rear interface of an optical path for an incident light of the medium is set to be an interface generating the TIR.

62. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein, for the interface generating the TIR, a rear part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na>nb if sin −1 (nb/na)<θ is set, and a front part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na>nb if sin −1 (1/na)<θ<sin −1 (nb/na) is set, and

the front part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na≦nb if sin −1 (1/na)≦θ is set,

63. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path includes and forward outputs a light having an angle θt to satisfy at least a condition of sin θt>nw/nt, in which nt represents a mean refractive index of the optical element for changing an optical path, nw represents a refractive index of a medium on a forward side of a total reflecting interface in a front part of the optical path, and θt represents an angle of a light advancing in a medium of the optical element for changing an optical path.

64. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path serves to change the optical path by a refraction.

65. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path is any of a lens array, a prism array and a heterorefractive index distribution member having various refractive indices distributed.

66. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path serves to change the optical path by a diffraction.

67. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path is any of a volume hologram, a phase modulation type diffraction grating and an amplitude modulation type diffraction grating.

68. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path serves to change an optical path by a light diffusion.

69. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path is a porous member, a heterorefractive index distribution member, a dispersion member, a diffusion member having a concavo-convex surface or a scattering member.

70. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path serves to change an optical path by a light reflection.

71. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein when an incidence angle of the incident light on a total reflecting interface in a front part of an optical path for the incident light in the optical element for selecting an optical path is equal to or smaller than a total reflecting critical angle, the optical element for selecting an optical path selectively reflects the substantially whole incident light.

72. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a light interference filter including a dielectric multilayer film.

73. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a Bragg reflecting filter including a cholesteric liquid crystal and a volume hologram.

74. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the incident light is a collimated light ranging within a specific incidence angle.

75. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the incident light is a diffused light having an optional incidence angle.

76. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein a light source is provided in the optical device and the incident light is emitted from the light source.

77. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the incident light is incident from an outside of the optical device.

78. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein a reflector for transmitting, toward the optical device side again, a light which is once incident on the optical device and is reflected by the optical device is provided opposite to an incident light introduction side of the optical device.

79. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the incident light is any of a UV light, a visible light and an infrared light.

80. The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the incident light is emitted from any of a discharge lamp, a laser beam source, a LED, an inorganic or organic EL, an incandescent lamp, a cathode-ray lamp and an FED.

81. The optical device according to claim 12 ,

wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a light interference filter including a dielectric multilayer film, and

wherein the dielectric multilayer film comprises any one of an electron beam coevaporated film or a sputtered film.

82. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein the substantially whole incident light which is reflected totally through the TIR is returned to the incident light introduction side of the optical device.

83. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein the layer constituting the optical device is not substantially absorbed into a wavelength area of the incident light.

84. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path and the optical element for selecting an optical path are provided in this order in a front part of an optical path of the transparent medium.

85. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein a medium constituting a part of the optical device is provided in a frontmost part of the optical path of the optical device, and a front or rear interface of an optical path for an incident light of the medium is set to be an interface generating the TIR.

86. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein, for the interface generating the TIR, a rear part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na>nb if sin −1 (nb/na)≦θ is set, and a front part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na>nb if sin −1 (1/na)<θ<sin −1 (nb/na) is set, and

the front part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na≦nb if sin −1 (1/na)≦θ is set,

87. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path includes and forward outputs a light having an angle θt to satisfy at least a condition of sin θt>nw/nt, in which nt represents a mean refractive index of the optical element for changing an optical path, nw represents a refractive index of a medium on a forward side of a total reflecting interface in a front part of the optical path, and θt represents an angle of a light advancing in a medium of the optical element for changing an optical path.

88. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path serves to change the optical path by a refraction.

89. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path is any of a lens array, a prism array and a heterorefractive index distribution member having various refractive indices distributed.

90. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path serves to change the optical path by a diffraction.

91. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path is any of a volume hologram, a phase modulation type diffraction grating and an amplitude modulation type diffraction grating.

92. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path is a porous member, a heterorefractive index distribution member, a dispersion member, a diffusion member having a concavo-convex surface or a scattering member.

93. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein when an incidence angle of the incident light on a total reflecting interface in a front part of an optical path for the incident light in the optical element for selecting an optical path is equal to or smaller than a total reflecting critical angle, the optical element for selecting an optical path selectively reflects the substantially whole incident light.

94. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a light interference filter including a dielectric multilayer film.

95. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a Bragg reflecting filter including a cholesteric liquid crystal and a volume hologram.

96. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein the incident light is a collimated light ranging within a specific incidence angle.

97. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein the incident light is a diffused light having an optional incidence angle.

98. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein a light source is provided in the optical device and the incident light is emitted from the light source.

99. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein a reflector for transmitting, toward the optical device side again, a light which is once incident on the optical device and is reflected by the optical device is provided opposite to an incident light introduction side of the optical device.

100. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein the incident light is any of a UV light, a visible light and an infrared light.

101. The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein the incident light is emitted from any of a discharge lamp, a laser beam source, a LED, an inorganic or organic EL, an incandescent lamp, a cathode-ray lamp and an FED.

102. The optical device according to claim 13 ,

wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a light interference filter including a dielectric multilayer film, and

wherein the dielectric multilayer film comprises any one of an electron beam coevaporated film or a sputtered film.

103. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the substantially whole incident light which is reflected totally through the TIR is returned to the incident light introduction side of the optical device.

104. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the layer constituting the optical device is not substantially absorbed into a wavelength area of the incident light.

105. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path and the optical element for selecting an optical path are provided in this order in a front part of an optical path of the transparent medium.

106. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein a medium constituting a part of the optical device is provided in a frontmost part of the optical path of the optical device, and a front or rear interface of an optical path for an incident light of the medium is set to be an interface generating the TIR.

107. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein, for the interface generating the TIR, a rear part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na>nb if sin −1 (nb/na)≦θ is set, and a front part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na>nb if sin −1 (1/na)<θ<sin −1 (nb/na) is set, and

the front part of the optical path for the incident light is selected with na≦nb if sin −1 (1/na)≦θ is set,

108. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path includes and forward outputs a light having an angle θt to satisfy at least a condition of sin θt>nw/nt, in which nt represents a mean refractive index of the optical element for changing an optical path, nw represents a refractive index of a medium on a forward side of a total reflecting interface in a front part of the optical path, and θt represents an angle of a light advancing in a medium of the optical element for changing an optical path.

109. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path serves to change the optical path by a refraction.

110. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path is any of a lens array, a prism array and a heterorefractive index distribution member having various refractive indices distributed.

111. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path serves to change the optical path by a diffraction.

112. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path is any of a volume hologram, a phase modulation type diffraction grating and an amplitude modulation type diffraction grating.

113. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path serves to change an optical path by a light diffusion.

114. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path is a porous member, a heterorefractive index distribution member, a dispersion member, a diffusion member having a concavo-convex surface or a scattering member.

115. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the optical element for changing an optical path serves to change an optical path by a light reflection.

116. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein when an incidence angle of the incident light on a total reflecting interface in a front part of an optical path for the incident light in the optical clement for selecting an optical path is equal to or smaller than a total reflecting critical angle, the optical element for selecting an optical path selectively reflects the substantially whole incident light.

117. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a light interference filter including a dielectric multilayer film.

118. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a Bragg reflecting filter including a cholesteric liquid crystal and a volume hologram.

119. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the incident light is a collimated light ranging within a specific incidence angle.

120. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the incident light is a diffused light having an optional incidence angle.

121. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein a light source is provided in the optical device and the incident light is emitted from the light source.

122. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the incident light is incident from an outside of the optical device.

123. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein a reflector for transmitting, toward the optical device side again, a light which is once incident on the optical device and is reflected by the optical device is provided opposite to an incident light introduction side of the optical device.

124. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the incident light is any of a UV light, a visible light and an infrared light.

125. The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein the incident light is emitted from any of a discharge lamp, a laser beam source, a LED, an inorganic or organic EL, an incandescent lamp, a cathode-ray lamp and an FED.

126. The optical device according to claim 14 ,

wherein the optical element for selecting an optical path is a light interference filter including a dielectric multilayer film, and

wherein the dielectric multilayer film comprises any one of an electron beam coevaporated film or a sputtered film.

Assignments (2)

ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 15, 2007

From: FUJIFILM HOLDINGS CORPORATION (FORMERLY FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.)

To: FUJIFILM CORPORATION

Reel/Frame 018904/0001 →

ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2003

From: KIMURA, KOICHI

To: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.

Reel/Frame 014167/0323 →