Infrared zoom lens assembly having a variable F/number
First Claim
1. An infrared zoom lens assembly, comprising:
- a focusing component located along an optical axis to receive infrared radiation, the focusing component comprising a first and a second focusing zoom lens formed from a high dispersion, low index material;
a collecting component located along the optical axis in optical communication with the focusing component, the collecting component comprising at least one collecting lens formed from the high dispersion, low index material;
an aperture stop movably mounted along the optical axis;
a diffracting component located along the optical axis and in optical communication with the focusing and collecting components, the diffracting component comprising at least one diffractive surface to correct color aberrations associated with an infrared waveband; and
the focusing and collecting components cooperating with the diffracting component to focus infrared radiation at an image plane of an infrared detector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An infrared lens assembly (16) having a variable F/Number. The infrared lens assembly (16) includes a focusing component (33), a collecting component (37), an aperture stop (46), and a diffracting component (41). The focusing component (33) may include a first and a second focusing zoom lens (34, 36) movably mounted in the infrared lens assembly (16). The focusing component (33) and the collecting component (37) may be formed from high dispersion, low index material. The aperture stop (46) may be mounted to the second focusing zoom lens (36) to vary the F/Number between a retracted zoom position and an extended zoom position. The diffracting component (41) may include a diffractive surface to correct color aberrations associated with an infrared waveband. The focusing component (33) and the collecting component (37) cooperate with the diffracting component (41) to focus infrared radiation at an image plane (15) of an infrared detector (18).
83 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An infrared zoom lens assembly, comprising:
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a focusing component located along an optical axis to receive infrared radiation, the focusing component comprising a first and a second focusing zoom lens formed from a high dispersion, low index material; a collecting component located along the optical axis in optical communication with the focusing component, the collecting component comprising at least one collecting lens formed from the high dispersion, low index material; an aperture stop movably mounted along the optical axis; a diffracting component located along the optical axis and in optical communication with the focusing and collecting components, the diffracting component comprising at least one diffractive surface to correct color aberrations associated with an infrared waveband; and the focusing and collecting components cooperating with the diffracting component to focus infrared radiation at an image plane of an infrared detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An infrared imaging system operative in the near and far infrared wavebands, comprising:
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an infrared detector operative in the near and far infrared wavebands, the infrared detector including an image plane located along an optical axis; and an infrared zoom lens assembly operative in the near and far infrared wavebands, the infrared lens assembly in optical communication with the infrared detector and comprising; a focusing component located along the optical axis to receive infrared radiation, the focusing component comprising a first and a second focusing zoom lens formed from a high dispersion, low index material; a collecting component located along the optical axis in optical communication with the focusing component, the collecting component comprising at least one collecting lens formed from the high dispersion, low index material; an aperture stop movably mounted along the optical axis; a diffracting component located along the optical axis and in optical communication with the focusing and collecting components, the diffracting component comprising at least one diffractive surface to correct color aberrations associated with an infrared waveband; and the focusing and collecting components cooperating with the diffracting component to focus infrared radiation at the image plane of the infrared detector. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification