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Optical system

  • US 4,515,444 A
  • Filed: 06/30/1983
  • Issued: 05/07/1985
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1983
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An optical system comprisingat least two gradient index lenses of predetermined diameter,and spacer means between said lenses for increasing the light throughput transmitted through said lenses by substantial maximization of the optical invariant of said system,the image transmitted through said system being represented by a chief ray and an axial ray,a first said gradient index lens disposed uplight of said spacer means having a length preselected whereby at the downlight surface of said first lens a first of said rays has a slope of essentially zero and a second of said rays has a negative slope,said spacer means being of substantially homogeneous substance and affixed to the downlight surface of said first gradient index lens, said spacer means being adapted to transmit said rays received through said first lens essentially without refraction, and said spacer means having a length preselected to cause said ray that has a negative slope to intersect the center axis of said optical system approximately at the downlight surface of said substantially homogeneous spacer means,a second said gradient index lens affixed to the downlight surface of said substantially homogeneous spacer means, the transmitted image received at the first surface of said second gradient index lens thereby having a height substantially approaching the radius of said optical system,whereby the optical invariant of said second gradient index lens is substantially maximized for increased light throughput.

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