Infrared lens assembly with athermalization element and method
First Claim
1. An infrared lens assembly, comprising:
- a lens set including one or more refractive lenses;
the lens set positioned along an optic axis to receive infrared radiation;
the lens set designed to focus infrared radiation of a scene at an image plane;
an athermalization element positioned along the optic axis in optical communication with the lens set;
the athermalization element comprising an infrared transmitting member supporting a diffractive pattern;
the infrared transmitting member comprising an infrared transmitting polymer; and
the diffractive pattern configured to compensate for temperature induced changes in a focal length of the lens set to maintain infrared radiation of the scene in focus at the image plane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An infrared lens assembly may comprise a lens set (32) including one or more refractive lenses. The refractive lens may be positioned along an optic axis (30) to receive infrared radiation. The lens set (32) may be designed to focus infrared radiation of a scene (14) at an image plane (15). An athermalization element (34) may be positioned along the optic axis (30) in optical communication with the lens set (32). The athermalization element (34) may include an infrared transmitting member (40) supporting a diffractive pattern (42). The infrared transmitting member (40) may comprise an infrared transmitting polymer. The diffractive pattern (42) may compensate for temperature induced changes in a focal length of the lens set (32) to maintain infrared radiation of the scene (14) in focus at the image plane (15).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An infrared lens assembly, comprising:
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a lens set including one or more refractive lenses; the lens set positioned along an optic axis to receive infrared radiation; the lens set designed to focus infrared radiation of a scene at an image plane; an athermalization element positioned along the optic axis in optical communication with the lens set; the athermalization element comprising an infrared transmitting member supporting a diffractive pattern; the infrared transmitting member comprising an infrared transmitting polymer; and the diffractive pattern configured to compensate for temperature induced changes in a focal length of the lens set to maintain infrared radiation of the scene in focus at the image plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An infrared imaging system, comprising:
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an infrared detector including an image plane positioned along an optic axis; a lens set comprising one or more refractive lenses; the lens set positioned along the optic axis to receive infrared radiation; the lens set designed to focus infrared radiation of a scene at the image plane; an athermalization element positioned along the optic axis in optical communication with the lens set; the athermalization element comprising an infrared transmitting member supporting a diffractive pattern; the infrared transmitting member comprising an infrared transmitting polymer; and the diffractive pattern configured to compensate for temperature induced changes in a focal length of the lens set to maintain infrared radiation of the scene in focus at the image plane. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of athermalizing an infrared lens assembly, comprising the steps of:
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transmitting infrared radiation of a scene through a lens set including one or more refractive lenses positioned along an optic axis; transmitting infrared radiation of the scene through an infrared transmitting member positioned along the optic axis in optical communication with the refractive lens; adjusting a polymer of the infrared transmitting member in response to a temperature change to alter a diffractive pattern of the infrared transmitting member to compensate for temperature induced changes in a focal length of the lens set to maintain infrared radiation of the scene in focus at an image plane.
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Specification