Optical detection system having a detector lens comprising a rear landscape lens
First Claim
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1. An optical system for scanning a large detector array over a wide field of view within a desired scene of interest, said system having an optical axis and comprising:
- A. a cryogenically cooled vessel ("dewar") located substantially along said optical axis;
B. imaging lens means located within said dewar and substantially along said optical axis;
C. an optical detection means located within said dewar and substantially at the position of best focus of said imaging lens means along said optical axis, said detection means having a plurality of detecting elements;
D. an aperture stop located within said dewar and substantially along said optical axis between said imaging lens means and said scene of interest such that the diameter of the bundle of light rays from said scene of interest is limited by said aperture stop; and
E. wherein the location of said aperture stop enables the use of an optical scanning device located between said aperture stop and said scene of interest, close to said aperture stop thereby minimizing the size of optical elements within said scanning device.
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Abstract
An improved optical system for thermal imaging systems using wide field of view optics in conjunction with large detector arrays in which a detector cold shield, system aperture stop and scanning subassembly are placed in substantially the same location such that the size of the scanning optics is minimized and cold shielding efficiency is maximized.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An optical system for scanning a large detector array over a wide field of view within a desired scene of interest, said system having an optical axis and comprising:
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A. a cryogenically cooled vessel ("dewar") located substantially along said optical axis; B. imaging lens means located within said dewar and substantially along said optical axis; C. an optical detection means located within said dewar and substantially at the position of best focus of said imaging lens means along said optical axis, said detection means having a plurality of detecting elements; D. an aperture stop located within said dewar and substantially along said optical axis between said imaging lens means and said scene of interest such that the diameter of the bundle of light rays from said scene of interest is limited by said aperture stop; and E. wherein the location of said aperture stop enables the use of an optical scanning device located between said aperture stop and said scene of interest, close to said aperture stop thereby minimizing the size of optical elements within said scanning device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification