CANON LENS TECHNOLOGY Canon lens design, production and evaluation technology has won major support from demanding and critical professionals. The steppers used in printing the circuits of high-performance semiconductors are optical and precision technology systems that combine more than 100 individual lens elements. These lens elements achieved the world's highest value for numerical aperture (NA), a standard indicator of performance. Canon has also reduced aberrations, such as the curvature of the field. For broadcast-use lenses, of which Canon produces 60 percent of those used world-wide, we continue to develop and design a wide range of lenses aimed at producing extremely fine images. These incorporate internal-focus technology to control focus while moving the individual lens elements within the lens. Canon also produces the world's most powerful telephoto zoom lens. Nanometric measurements and simulations, based on our vast store of technological know-how are used in our evaluation procedures with a view to charting hitherto unexplored areas of technology. Ultrasonic Motors Canon introduced the world's first market version of an ultrasonic motor. It acts as the focus drive component for the EF lenses in EOS auto-focus single-lens reflex cameras. An ultrasonic motor works when a piezoelectric element extends and contracts in response to voltage, converting its oscillation into rotary movements. It is structurally very simple, high powered, and has several outstanding features including free control of the angle rotation and operation at low speeds. The super-quiet ultrasonic motor is also friendly to the environment. In addition to the ring-type, Canon has developed a pencil-type micro ultrasonic motor as we examine possible applications in other fields.