G
SECTION G — PHYSICS
 G

Note(s)

  1. In this section, the following term is used with the meaning indicated:
    • "variable" (as a noun) means a feature or property (e.g., a dimension, a physical condition such as temperature, a quality such as density or colour) which, in respect of a particular entity (e.g., an object, a quantity of a substance, a beam of light) and at a particular instant, is capable of being measured; the variable may change, so that its numerical expression may assume different values at different times, in different conditions or in individual cases, but may be constant in respect of a particular entity in certain conditions or for practical purposes (e.g., the length of a bar may be regarded as constant for many purposes).
  2. Attention is drawn to the definitions of terms or expressions used, appearing in the notes of several of the classes in this section, in particular those of "measuring" in class G01 and "control" and "regulation" in class G05.
  3. Classification in this section may present more difficulty than in other sections, because the distinction between different fields of use rests to a considerable extent on differences in the intention of the user rather than on any constructional differences or differences in the manner of use, and because the subjects dealt with are often in effect systems or combinations, which have features or parts in common, rather than "things", which are readily distinguishable as a whole. For example, information (e.g., a set of figures) may be displayed for the purpose of education or advertising (G09), for enabling the result of a measurement to be known (G01), for signalling the information to a distant point or for giving information which has been signalled from a distant point (G08). The words used to describe the purpose depend on features that may be irrelevant to the form of the apparatus concerned, for example, such features as the desired effect on the person who sees the display, or whether the display is controlled from a remote point. Again, a device which responds to some change in a condition, e.g., in the pressure of a fluid, may be used, without modification of the device itself, to give information about the pressure (G01L) or about some other condition linked to the pressure (another subclass of class G01, e.g., G01K for temperature), to make a record of the pressure or of its occurrence (G07C), to give an alarm (G08B), or to control another apparatus (G05).

    The classification scheme is intended to enable things of a similar nature (as indicated above) to be classified together. It is therefore particularly necessary for the real nature of any technical subject to be decided before it can be properly classified.

  
INSTRUMENTS
 G02
OPTICS (making optical elements or apparatus B24B, B29D 11/00, C03, or other appropriate subclasses or classes; materials per se, see the relevant places, e.g. C03B, C03C)
 G02

Note(s)

In this class, the following expression is used with the meaning indicated:

  • "optical" applies not only to visible light but also to ultra-violet or infra-red radiations.  [4]

 G02B
OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS (G02F takes precedence; optical elements specially adapted for use in lighting devices or systems thereof F21V 1/00-F21V 13/00; measuring-instruments, see the relevant subclass of class G01, e.g. optical rangefinders G01C; testing of optical elements, systems, or apparatus G01M 11/00; spectacles G02C; apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them G03B; sound lenses G10K 11/00; electron and ion "optics" H01J; X-ray "optics" H01J, H05G 1/00; optical elements structurally combined with electric discharge tubes H01J 5/02, H01J 29/89, H01J 37/22; microwave "optics" H01Q; combination of optical elements with television receivers H04N 5/72; optical systems or arrangements in colour television systems H04N 9/00; heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas H05B 3/84)  [1,7]
 G02B

Note(s)

  1. In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meanings indicated:
    • "simple lens or prism" means a single lens or prism;
    • "compound lens or prism" means an optical member, the constituents of which either are close together without air-space or (except in group G02B 11/00) are "in broken contact", i.e. with the air-space between the constituents having no essential optical influence;
    • "objective" means a lens or an optical system designed to produce a real image of a real object;
    • "eyepiece" means a lens or an optical system designed to produce a virtual image for viewing by the eye or by another optical system;
    • "front" or "rear" is determined by looking from the more distant conjugate.
  2. Attention is drawn to the Notes following the titles of class B81 and subclass B81B relating to "micro-structural devices" and "micro-structural systems". [7]
 G02B
Subclass index
OPTICAL ELEMENTS
Characterised by their structure: lenses; light guides; other elements 3/00; 6/00; 5/00
Characterised by the material 1/00
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
General structure: number and arrangements of optical components 9/00, 11/00
Special structures: according to purpose; with variable magnification; with reflecting surfaces 13/00; 15/00; 17/00
Other systems 27/00
STRUCTURAL DETAILS OF ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING LIGHT GUIDES AND OTHER OPTICAL ELEMENTS 6/00
OPTICAL APPARATUS
Condensers 19/00
Microscopes 21/00
Telescopes, periscopes, instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies, viewfinders, aiming or sighting devices 23/00
Eyepieces, magnifying glasses 25/00
Other apparatus 27/00
CONTROL OF LIGHT 26/00
MOUNTINGS, ADJUSTING MEANS, LIGHT-TIGHT CONNECTIONS 7/00
P:140 G02B 1/00
Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made (compositions of optical glasses C03C 3/00); Optical coatings for optical elements
 G02B 1/04
·  made of organic materials, e.g. plastics (G02B 1/08 takes precedence)
 G02B 1/08
·  made of polarising materials
 G02B 1/10
·  Optical coatings produced by application to, or surface treatment of, optical elements (G02B 1/08 takes precedence)
P:120 G02B 3/00
Simple or compound lenses (artificial eyes A61F 2/14; spectacle lenses or contact lenses for the eyes G02C; watch or clock glasses G04B 39/00)
 G02B 3/02
·  with non-spherical faces (G02B 3/10 takes precedence)
 G02B 3/08
·  ·  with discontinuous faces, e.g. Fresnel lens
 G02B 3/10
·  Bifocal lenses; Multifocal lenses
 G02B 3/12
·  Fluid-filled or evacuated lenses
P:130 G02B 5/00
Optical elements other than lenses (light guides G02B 6/00; optical logic elements G02F 3/00)  [4]
 G02B 5/02
·  Diffusing elements; Afocal elements
 G02B 5/04
·  Prisms
 G02B 5/06
·  ·  Fluid-filled or evacuated prisms
 G02B 5/08
·  Mirrors
 G02B 5/09
·  ·  Multifaceted or polygonal mirrors  [6]
 G02B 5/10
·  ·  with curved faces
 G02B 5/12
·  Reflex reflectors
 G02B 5/18
·  Diffracting gratings
 G02B 5/20
·  Filters (polarising elements G02B 5/30; filters specially adapted for photographic purposes G03B 11/00)
 G02B 5/22
·  ·  Absorbing filters
 G02B 5/26
·  ·  Reflecting filters (G02B 5/28 takes precedence)
 G02B 5/28
·  ·  Interference filters
 G02B 5/30
·  Polarising elements (light-modulating devices G02F 1/00)
 G02B 5/32
·  Holograms used as optical elements (processes or apparatus for producing holograms G03H)  [2]
P:0 G02B 6/00
Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings  [4,6]
 G02B 6/02
·  Optical fibre with cladding (mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection G02B 6/44)  [4,8]
 G02B 6/04
·  formed by bundles of fibres (G02B 6/24 takes precedence)  [4]
 G02B 6/06
·  ·  the relative position of the fibres being the same at both ends, e.g. for transporting images  [4]
 G02B 6/10
·  of the optical waveguide type (G02B 6/02, G02B 6/24 take precedence; devices or arrangements for the control of light by electric, magnetic, electro-magnetic or acoustic means G02F 1/00; transferring the modulation of modulated light G02F 2/00; optical logic elements G02F 3/00; optical analogue/digital converters G02F 7/00; stores using opto-electronic devices G11C 11/21; electric waveguides H01P; transmission of information by optical means H04B 10/00; multiplex systems H04J 14/00)  [4,8]
 G02B 6/12
·  ·  of the integrated circuit kind (production or processing of single crystals C30B; electric integrated circuits H01L 27/00)  [4]
 G02B 6/122
·  ·  ·  Basic optical elements, e.g. light-guiding paths  [6]
 G02B 6/124
·  ·  ·  ·  Geodesic lenses or integrated gratings  [6]
 G02B 6/125
·  ·  ·  ·  Bends, branchings or intersections  [6]
 G02B 6/126
·  ·  ·  using polarisation effects  [6]
 G02B 6/13
·  ·  ·  Integrated optical circuits characterised by the manufacturing method  [6]
 G02B 6/14
·  ·  Mode converters  [4]
 G02B 6/24
·  Coupling light guides (for electric waveguides H01P 1/00)  [4,5]
 G02B 6/245
·  ·  Removing protective coverings of light guides before coupling  [5]
 G02B 6/25
·  ·  Preparing the ends of light guides for coupling, e.g. cutting  [5]
 G02B 6/255
·  ·  Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding  [5]
 G02B 6/26
·  ·  Optical coupling means (G02B 6/36, G02B 6/42 take precedence)  [4]
 G02B 6/27
·  ·  ·  with polarisation selective and adjusting means (polarisation elements in general G02B 5/30; polarisation systems in general G02B 27/28; optical polarisation multiplex systems H04J 14/06)  [6]
 G02B 6/28
·  ·  ·  having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals  [4]
 G02B 6/287
·  ·  ·  ·  Structuring of light guides to shape optical elements with heat application (G02B 6/255 takes precedence)  [6]
 G02B 6/293
·  ·  ·  ·  with wavelength selective means (for optical elements in use, see the relevant subgroups of this subclass; optical wavelength-division multiplexing systems H04J 14/02)  [6]
 G02B 6/30
·  ·  ·  for use between fibre and thin-film device  [4]
 G02B 6/32
·  ·  ·  having lens focusing means  [4]
 G02B 6/34
·  ·  ·  utilising prism or grating  [4]
 G02B 6/35
·  ·  ·  having switching means (optical switching in general G02B 26/08; by changing the optical properties of the medium G02F 1/00)  [6]
 G02B 6/36
·  ·  Mechanical coupling means (G02B 6/255, G02B 6/42 take precedence)  [4,5]
 G02B 6/38
·  ·  ·  having fibre to fibre mating means  [4]
 G02B 6/40
·  ·  ·  having fibre bundle mating means  [4]
 G02B 6/42
·  ·  Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements  [4]
 G02B 6/43
·  ·  ·  Arrangements comprising a plurality of opto-electronic elements and associated optical interconnections (light-emissive or light-sensitive semiconductor devices H01L 27/00, H01L 31/00, H01L 33/00; semiconductor lasers monolithically integrated with other components H01S 5/00)  [6]
 G02B 6/44
·  Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables (cables incorporating electric conductors and optical fibres H01B 11/00)  [4]
 G02B 6/46
·  Processes or apparatus adapted for installing optical fibres or optical cables (installation of cables containing electric conductors and optical fibres H02G)  [6]
P:150 G02B 7/00
Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements
 G02B 7/02
·  for lenses
 G02B 7/04
·  ·  with mechanism for focusing or varying magnification  [2]
 G02B 7/06
·  ·  ·  Focusing binocular pairs
 G02B 7/08
·  ·  ·  adapted to co-operate with a remote control mechanism
 G02B 7/09
·  ·  ·  adapted for automatic focusing or varying magnification (automatic generation of focusing signals G02B 7/28)  [5]
 G02B 7/10
·  ·  ·  by relative axial movement of several lenses, e.g. of varifocal objective lens
 G02B 7/105
·  ·  ·  ·  with movable lens means specially adapted for focusing at close distances  [4]
 G02B 7/12
·  ·  Adjusting pupillary distance of binocular pairs
 G02B 7/14
·  ·  adapted to interchange lenses
 G02B 7/18
·  for prisms; for mirrors
 G02B 7/182
·  ·  for mirrors (optical devices or arrangements using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light G02B 26/00)  [5]
 G02B 7/198
·  ·  ·  with means for adjusting the mirror relative to its support  [5]
 G02B 7/20
·  Light-tight connections for movable optical elements
 G02B 7/28
·  Systems for automatic generation of focusing signals (measuring distance per se G01C, G01S; using such signals to control focus of particular apparatus, see the subclasses for the apparatus, e.g. G03B, G03F)  [5]
 G02B 7/30
·  ·  using parallactic triangle with a base line  [5]
 G02B 7/32
·  ·  ·  using active means, e.g. light emitter  [5]
 G02B 7/34
·  ·  using different areas in a pupil plane  [5]
 G02B 7/36
·  ·  using image sharpness techniques  [5]
 G02B 7/40
·  ·  using time delay of the reflected waves, e.g. of ultrasonic waves  [5]
P:80 G02B 9/00
Optical objectives characterised both by the number of the components and their arrangements according to their sign, i.e. + or – (G02B 13/00, G02B 15/00 take precedence)
 G02B 9/00

Note(s)

In this group, a component is deemed to be a simple lens or a compound lens or a divided lens equivalent to a simple or to a compound lens.

 G02B 9/12
·  having three components only
P:90 G02B 11/00
Optical objectives characterised by the total number of simple and compound lenses forming the objective and their arrangement (G02B 9/00 takes precedence; having only one simple lens G02B 3/00)
P:60 G02B 13/00
Optical objectives specially designed for the purposes specified below (with variable magnification G02B 15/00)
 G02B 13/02
·  Telephoto objectives, i.e. systems of the type + – in which the distance from the front vertex to the image plane is less than the equivalent focal length
 G02B 13/04
·  Reversed telephoto objectives
 G02B 13/06
·  Panoramic objectives; So-called "sky lenses"
 G02B 13/08
·  Anamorphotic objectives
 G02B 13/14
·  for use with infra-red or ultra-violet radiation (G02B 13/16 takes precedence)
 G02B 13/16
·  for use in conjunction with image converters or intensifiers
 G02B 13/18
·  with lenses having one or more non-spherical faces, e.g. for reducing geometrical aberration
 G02B 13/20
·  Soft-focus objectives (diffusing elements in general G02B 5/02)
 G02B 13/22
·  Telecentric objectives or lens systems
 G02B 13/24
·  for reproducing or copying at short object distances
P:70 G02B 15/00
Optical objectives with means for varying the magnification (anamorphotic objectives G02B 13/08)
 G02B 15/14
·  by axial movement of one or more lenses or groups of lenses relative to the image plane for continuously varying the equivalent focal length of the objective  [4]
 G02B 15/15
·  ·  compensation by means of only one movement or by means of only linearly related movements, e.g. optical compensation  [4]
 G02B 15/16
·  ·  with interdependent non-linearly related movements between one lens or lens group, and another lens or lens group (G02B 15/22 takes precedence)  [4]
 G02B 15/163
·  ·  ·  having a first movable lens or lens group and a second movable lens or lens group, both in front of a fixed lens or lens group (G02B 15/177 takes precedence)  [4]
 G02B 15/177
·  ·  ·  having a negative front lens or group of lenses  [4]
 G02B 15/20
·  ·  ·  having an additional movable lens or lens group for varying the objective focal length  [4]
 G02B 15/22
·  ·  with movable lens means specially adapted for focusing at close distances  [4]
P:40 G02B 17/00
Systems with reflecting surfaces, with or without refracting elements (microscopes G02B 21/00; telescopes, periscopes G02B 23/00; beam shaping not otherwise provided for G02B 27/09; for beam splitting or combining G02B 27/10; for optical projection G02B 27/18)  [6]
 G02B 17/08
·  Catadioptric systems
P:110 G02B 19/00
Condensers (for microscopes G02B 21/06)
P:10 G02B 21/00
Microscopes (eyepieces G02B 25/00; polarising systems G02B 27/28; measuring microscopes G01B 9/04; microtomes G01N 1/04;  scanning-probe techniques or apparatus G01Q)  [1,7]
 G02B 21/02
·  Objectives
 G02B 21/06
·  Means for illuminating specimen
 G02B 21/16
·  adapted for ultra-violet illumination
 G02B 21/18
·  Arrangements with more than one light-path, e.g. for comparing two specimens
 G02B 21/24
·  Base structure
 G02B 21/32
·  Micromanipulators structurally combined with microscopes
 G02B 21/33
·  Immersion oils  [6]
 G02B 21/34
·  Microscope slides, e.g. mounting specimens on microscope slides (preparing specimens for investigation G01N 1/28; means for supporting the objects or the materials to be analysed in electron microscopes H01J 37/20)
 G02B 21/36
·  arranged for photographic purposes or projection purposes (G02B 21/18 takes precedence)
P:20 G02B 23/00
Telescopes, e.g. binoculars (measuring telescopes G01B 9/06); Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies (diagnostic instruments A61B); Viewfinders (objectives G02B 9/00, G02B 11/00, G02B 15/00, G02B 17/00; eyepieces G02B 25/00); Optical aiming or sighting devices (non-optical aspects of weapon aiming or sighting devices F41G)  [4]
 G02B 23/02
·  involving prisms or mirrors (G02B 23/14 takes precedence)
 G02B 23/14
·  Viewfinders (for photographic apparatus G03B 13/02)
 G02B 23/16
·  Housings; Caps; Mountings; Supports, e.g. with counterweight (cases or receptacles A45C)
 G02B 23/24
·  Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies, e.g. fibrescopes  [4]
 G02B 23/26
·  ·  using light guides  [4]
P:100 G02B 25/00
Eyepieces; Magnifying glasses (simple lenses G02B 3/00)
P:30 G02B 26/00
Optical devices or arrangements using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light, e.g. switching, gating, modulating (mechanically operable parts of lighting devices for the control of light order F21V; specially adapted for measuring characteristics of light G01J; devices or arrangements, the optical operation of which is modified by changing the optical properties of the medium of the devices or arrangements G02F 1/00; control of light in general G05D 25/00; control of light sources H01S 3/10, H05B 37/00-H05B 43/00)  [4]
 G02B 26/02
·  for controlling the intensity of light  [4]
 G02B 26/08
·  for controlling the direction of light (in light guides G02B 6/35)  [4]
 G02B 26/10
·  ·  Scanning systems (for special applications, see the relevant places, e.g. G03B 27/32, G03F 3/00, G03G 15/04, G09G 3/00, H04N)  [4]
 G02B 26/12
·  ·  ·  using multifaceted mirrors  [6]
P:50 G02B 27/00
Other optical systems; Other optical apparatus (means for bringing-about special optical effects in shop-windows, showcases A47F, e.g. A47F 11/00; optical toys A63H 33/22; designs or pictures characterised by special light effects B44F 1/00)
 G02B 27/01
·  Head-up displays  [6]
 G02B 27/02
·  Viewing or reading apparatus (stereoscopic systems G02B 27/22; of the projection type G03B; slide-changing apparatus G03B)
 G02B 27/04
·  ·  having collapsible parts
 G02B 27/06
·  ·  with moving-picture effect
 G02B 27/08
·  ·  Kaleidoscopes
 G02B 27/09
·  Beam shaping, e.g. changing the cross-sectioned area, not otherwise provided for  [6]
 G02B 27/10
·  Beam splitting or combining systems (mixing and splitting light signals using optical waveguides G02B 6/28; polarising systems G02B 27/28)  [4]
 G02B 27/12
·  ·  operating by refraction only
 G02B 27/14
·  ·  operating by reflection only
 G02B 27/18
·  for optical projection, e.g. combination of mirror and condenser and objective
 G02B 27/20
·  ·  for imaging minute objects, e.g. light-pointer
 G02B 27/22
·  for producing stereoscopic or other three-dimensional effects (in microscopes G02B 21/18; viewing apparatus G02B 27/02)
 G02B 27/28
·  for polarising (used in stereoscopes G02B 27/22)
 G02B 27/30
·  Collimators
 G02B 27/32
·  Fiducial marks or measuring scales within the optical system
 G02B 27/40
·  Optical focusing aids (beam splitting or combining systems G02B 27/10)
 G02B 27/42
·  Diffraction optics (G02B 27/60 takes precedence)  [3]
 G02B 27/46
·  ·  Systems using spatial filters (character recognition G06K 9/00)  [3]
 G02B 27/46

Note(s)

In this group, the filter may be in any plane, e.g. the image or the Fourier transfer plane.  [3]

 G02B 27/48
·  Laser speckle optics (speckle suppression in holography G03H 1/00)  [3]
 G02B 27/50
·  Optics for phase object visualisation (in microscopes G02B 21/06)  [3]
 G02B 27/56
·  Optics using evanescent waves, i.e. inhomogeneous waves  [3]
 G02B 27/58
·  Optics for apodization or superresolution; Optical synthetic aperture systems  [3]
 G02B 27/60
·  Systems using moire fringes (means for converting the output of a sensing member using diffraction gratings G01D 5/26)  [3]
 G02B 27/62
·  Optical apparatus specially adapted for adjusting optical elements during the assembly of optical systems (adjusting means being part of the system to be assembled G02B 7/00)  [3]
 G02B 27/64
·  Imaging systems using optical elements for stabilisation of the lateral and angular position of the image (focusing systems G02B 7/04; adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface G03B 5/00)  [3]