A wavelength de-multiplexing system that receives a wavelength multiplexed signal and generates electrical signals corresponding to the optical signals is disclosed. The optical receiver module includes a lens, a lens unit, and an optical de-multiplexer (O-DeMux). The lens converts the wavelength multiplexed signal into a quasi-collimated beam. The lens unit narrows a diameter of the quasi-collimated beam. The O-DeMux de-multiplexes the narrowed quasi-collimated beam coming from the lens unit by wavelength selective filters (WSFs) each having optical distances from the lens unit different from each other.

A system and method for combining multiple emitters into a multi-wavelength output beam having a certain band and combining a plurality of these bands into a single output using non-free space combining modules.

Ethoxy-nonafluorobutane (C.sub.4F.sub.9OC.sub.2H.sub.5) is used as an immersion medium for immersing an immersion objective of a cryo-light microscope. The cryo-light microscope comprising an immersion objective, a front lens mount holding a front lens of the immersion objective, a sample holder and a cold stage carrying the sample holder further has a heating device coupling a heat flow into the front lens mount.

Optical systems including an image surface, a stop surface, a partial reflector disposed between the image surface and the stop surface, a reflective polarizer disposed between the stop surface and the partial reflector, and a quarter wave retarder disposed between the reflective polarizer and the partial reflector are described. The reflective polarizer is convex along two orthogonal axes. The reflective polarizer may be a thermoformed multilayer reflective polarizer.

A free-form surface lens is made of a transparent resin forming an oblique projection optical system including a free-form surface mirror in a projection type video display apparatus, this lens includes a lens effective region having a surface on which a predetermined free-form surface is formed, and an edge surface formed to surround the lens effective region, the lens effective region and the edge surface in a part of a circumference surrounding the lens effective region where the edge surface is not formed are joined to each other by at least either one of a curved surface and a flat surface set so as not to change a direction of a tilt of the lens effective region in vicinity of the lens effective region, and an end surface including at least either one of the curved surface and the flat surface is set as a tapered surface.

A free-form surface lens is made of a transparent resin forming an oblique projection optical system including a free-form surface mirror in a projection type video display apparatus, this lens includes a lens effective region having a surface on which a predetermined free-form surface is formed, and an edge surface formed to surround the lens effective region, the lens effective region and the edge surface in a part of a circumference surrounding the lens effective region where the edge surface is not formed are joined to each other by at least either one of a curved surface and a flat surface set so as not to change a direction of a tilt of the lens effective region in vicinity of the lens effective region, and an end surface including at least either one of the curved surface and the flat surface is set as a tapered surface.

Optical systems including an image surface and an exit surface are described. First second and third optical lenses, a partial reflector, a multilayer reflective polarizer and a retarder are disposed between the image surface and the exit surface. At least one location on at least one layer of the multilayer reflective polarizer is substantially uniaxially oriented. Each chief light ray that passes from the image surface to the exit surface is incident on the multilayer reflective polarizer with an angle of incidence less than about 30 degrees. The optical system may include a plurality of major surfaces disposed between the image surface and the exit surface where each major surface is convex toward the image surface and where at least six different major surfaces have six different convexities.

An optical system includes a reflective surface, a display adapted to emit image light toward the reflective surface, and a multilayer reflective polarizer disposed proximate the reflective surface. The multilayer reflective polarizer is curved about two orthogonal axes and includes at least one layer that is substantially optically uniaxial at at least one location. The image light is transmitted by the multilayer reflective polarizer after it is first reflected by the multilayer reflective polarizer. A head-mounted display includes a first optical system and a second optical system disposed proximate the first optical system.

Methods and systems of performing an assay. A system for performing an assay includes an enclosure defining a temperature-controlled space. An imaging system, an actuator and a dispenser are disposed within the space. The actuator receives a well plate having wells. The actuator is to move the well plate relative to the imaging system to enable the imaging system to obtain image data of one of the wells. The dispenser includes a pump, an outlet and a reservoir holder to receive a reservoir containing a compound. The pump is to be fluidly coupled to the reservoir and an outlet. The pump is to pump the compound from the reservoir through the outlet into one of the wells. The system also includes a controller. The controller is to cause the dispenser to dispense the compound into the first one of the wells while the imaging system obtains the image data.

Optical systems including an image surface, a stop surface, a partial reflector disposed between the image surface and the stop surface, a reflective polarizer disposed between the stop surface and the partial reflector, and a quarter wave retarder disposed between the reflective polarizer and the partial reflector are described. The reflective polarizer is convex along two orthogonal axes. The reflective polarizer may be a thermoformed multilayer reflective polarizer.