Multi-special decentered catadioptric optical system

• US 5,841,574 A
• Filed: 06/28/1996
• Issued: 11/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Recon/Optical, Inc. (Bourns Incorporated)
• Inventors: Willey, Gilbert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Henry, Jon W.
• Application Number:
  US08/672,452
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 359/351, 359/355, 359/366, 359/365, 359/364, 359/858, 359/859, 359/727, 359/728, 359/729, 359/731, 359/634, 250/578.1, 396/322, 396/327
• US Class Current: 359/351
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/146 with corrections for use in multiple wavelength bands, such as infrared and visible light, e.g. FLIR systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/0812 off-axis or unobscured systems in which all of the mirrors share a common axis of rotational symmetry
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/0852 having a field corrector only
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/0896 with variable magnification or multiple imaging planes, including multispectral systems systems with only refractive elements G02B15/14

Abstract

A multi-spectral decentered catadioptric-type optical system suitable for use with long range oblique aerial reconnaissance camera systems, spectrum analyzers, astronomical imagers, remote sensing, and other applications is described. The optical system includes an aspheric primary mirror receiving incident radiation and defining a central aperture. An aspheric secondary mirror is provided for receiving the radiation from the primary mirror. The primary and secondary mirrors are positioned and constructed such that entrance aperture of the system is displaced or decentered relative to the optical axis of the system, so as to thereby increase the modulation transfer function of the optical system as compared to a centrally obscured system.

The aspheric secondary mirror directs the incident radiation onto a means for splitting the radiation to a first optical path and a second optical path. A first field optical assembly is placed in the first optical path for directing radiation in a first portion of the electromagnetic spectrum onto a first radiation receiving device, such as a film camera or electro-optical detector. A second field optical assembly is placed in the second optical path for directing radiation in a second portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, for example, wavelengths in the infrared portion of the spectrum, onto a second radiation receiving device, such as an electro-optical detector.

The optical system permits dual spectrum imaging by the first and second detectors of both visible and infrared portions of the spectrum, while providing improved modulation transfer functions for both portions of the spectrum. Further, the optical system is especially suitable for applications requiring a long focal length of the optical system and a wide field of view, such as long range aerial reconnaissance camera systems and astronomical imagers.

Claims

1. A dual spectrum terrestrial aerial reconnaissance camera optical system, comprising:

a) a first detector means for imaging a scene from radiation in a first broad portion of the electromagnetic spectrum;

b) a second detector means for imaging said scene from radiation in a second broad portion of the electromagnetic spectrum;

c) a multi-spectral decentered aperture catadioptric optical system comprising a primary mirror and a secondary mirror for directing radiation from said scene onto said first detector means and second detector means, said optical system having a single entrance aperture for said radiation in said first and second broad portions of the electromagnetic spectrum for imaging by said first and second detector means and an optical axis, wherein said entrance aperture is displaced relative to said optical axis, said optical system further comprising;

1) a means for separation of said radiation into first and second optical paths,

2) a first field optical assembly in said first optical path for directing radiation in said first broad portion of said spectrum onto said first detector means, and

3) a second field optical assembly for directing said radiation from said scene in said second broad portion of said spectrum onto said second detector means;

d) wherein radiation impinging on said first and second detectors passes through said single entrance aperture and wherein said primary and secondary mirrors and said first and second field optical assemblies are constructed so as to permit high resolution images to be generated from said first and second detectors in respective first and second broad portions of the electromagnetic spectrum from said radiation.

2. The aerial reconnaissance camera optical system of claim 1, wherein said first detector means comprises an electro-optical detector.

3. The aerial reconnaissance camera optical system of claim 1, wherein said first detector means comprises a film camera.

4. The aerial reconnaissance camera optical system of claim 2, wherein said electro-optical detector comprises a charge-coupled device.

5. The aerial reconnaissance camera optical system of claim 2, wherein said second detector means comprises a charge-coupled device.

6. The aerial reconnaissance camera optical system of claim 4 wherein said charge coupled device comprises a linear charge coupled device.

7. The aerial reconnaissance camera optical system of claim 5, wherein said charge-coupled device comprises a linear charge coupled device.

8. The aerial reconnaissance camera optical system of claim 4, wherein said charge coupled device comprises an area array charge coupled device.

9. The aerial reconnaissance camera optical system of claim 5 wherein said charge coupled device comprises an area array charge coupled device.

15. The aerial reconnaissance camera optical system of claim 1, wherein said primary mirror and said secondary mirror comprise aspheric optical elements.

16. The aerial reconnaissance camera optical system of claim 15, wherein said secondary mirror comprises a conic hyperbola optical element.

10. A dual spectrum terrestrial aerial reconnaissance camera optical system, comprising:

a) a first detector means for imaging a scene from radiation in a first broad portion of the electromagnetic spectrum;

b) a second detector means for imaging said scene from radiation in a second broad portion of the electromagnetic spectrum;

c) a multi-spectral decentered aperture catadioptric optical system comprising a primary mirror and a secondary mirror for directing radiation from said scene onto said first detector means and second detector means, said optical system having a single entrance aperture for said radiation in said first and second broad portions of the electromagnetic spectrum for imaging by said first and second detector means and an optical axis, wherein said entrance aperture is displaced relative to said optical axis, said optical system further comprising;

1) a means for separation of said radiation into first and second optical paths,

2) a first field optical assembly in said first optical path for directing radiation in said first broad portion of said spectrum onto said first detector means, and

3) a second field optical assembly for directing said radiation from said scene in said second broad portion of said spectrum onto said second detector means;

wherein said first portion of the spectrum comprises the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum between about 200 nm and about 900 nmn.

11. The aerial reconnaissance camera optical system of claim 10, wherein said first portion of the spectrum comprises the portion of the spectrum between about 450 and about 900 nm.

12. The aerial reconnaissance camera optical system of claim 10, wherein said second portion of the spectrum comprises the portion of the spectrum between about 3 microns and about 14 microns.

13. The aerial reconnaissance camera optical system of claim 12, wherein said second portion of the spectrum comprises the portion of the spectrum between about 3 microns and about 5 microns.

14. The aerial reconnaissance camera optical system of claim 12, wherein said second portion of the spectrum comprises the portion of the spectrum between about 8 microns and about 14 microns.

17. A multi-spectral decentered aperture catadioptric optical system, comprising:

a primary mirror receiving incident radiation and defining a central aperture;

a secondary mirror receiving said radiation from said primary mirror, said secondary mirror directing said radiation onto a means for splitting said radiation into a least a first image forming optical path and a second image forming optical path;

said optical system having a single entrance aperture and an optical axis, wherein said entrance aperture is displaced relative to the optical axis;

a first field optical assembly in said first optical path for directing radiation in a first broad portion of the electromagnetic spectrum onto a first radiation receiving device;

a second field optical assembly in said optical path for directing radiation in a second broad portion of the electromagnetic spectrum onto a second radiation receiving device;

wherein radiation impinging on said first and second radiation receiving devices passes through said single entrance aperture and wherein said primary and secondary mirrors and said first and second field optical assemblies are constructed so as to permit high resolution images to be generated from said first and second radiation receiving devices in respective first and second broad portions of the electromagnetic spectrum from said incident radiation.

18. The optical system of claim 17, wherein said first and second radiation receiving devices comprise image recording devices.

19. The optical system of claim 18, wherein said image recording devices comprise electro-optical sensors.

20. The optical system of claim 17, wherein said primary mirror is bilaterally symmetrical about a first plane but not symmetrical about a second plane orthogonal to said first plane.

21. The optical system of claim 20, wherein said primary mirror has a first f/number along a first axis and a second f/number greater than said first f/number along said second axis, said second axis perpendicular to said first axis.

22. The optical system of claim 17, wherein said optical axis and a chief ray passing through said entrance aperture define a plane of displacement and wherein said first radiation receiving device comprises a linear detector having a long axis, and wherein said long axis is oriented perpendicular to said plane of displacement.

23. The optical system of claim 17, wherein said optical axis and a chief ray passing through said entrance aperture define a plane of displacement and wherein said first and second radiation receiving devices each comprise a linear sensor having a long axis, and wherein said long axis of said first and second sensors are oriented perpendicular to said plane of displacement.

24. The optical system of claim 17, wherein said first and second radiation receiving devices comprise astronomical imaging cameras.

25. A multi-spectral decentered optical system, said optical system defining a single entrance aperture, comprising:

an aspheric primary mirror receiving incident radiation;

an aspheric secondary mirror receiving said radiation from said primary mirror;

said optical system defining an optical axis, said entrance aperture of said optical system displaced from said optical axis so as to thereby increase the modulation transfer function of said optical system;

said aspheric secondary mirror directing said radiation onto a means for splitting said radiation into a first image forming optical path and a second image forming optical path;

a first field optical assembly in said first optical path directing radiation in a first portion of the electromagnetic spectrum onto a first radiation receiving device;

a second field optical assembly in said second optical path directing radiation in a second portion of the electromagnetic spectrum onto a second radiation receiving device;

said aspheric primary mirror, aspheric secondary mirror, first field optical assembly, second field optical assembly and means for splitting said radiation assembled in an aerial reconnaissance camera housing;

said first and second radiation receiving devices comprising charge coupled devices;

wherein radiation impinging on said charge coupled devices passes through said single entrance aperture and wherein said primary and secondary mirrors and said first and second field optical assemblies are constructed so as to permit high resolution images to be generated from said charge coupled devices in respective first and second broad portions of the electromagnetic spectrum from said incident radiation.

26. The optical system of claim 25, wherein said optical axis and a chief ray passing through said entrance aperture define a plane of displacement and wherein said linear charge coupled devices have a long axis, and wherein said long axis is oriented perpendicular to said plane of displacement.

27. A multi-spectral decentered optical system, said optical system defining a single entrance aperture, comprising:

an aspheric primary mirror receiving incident radiation;

an aspheric secondary mirror receiving said radiation from said primary mirror;

said optical system defining an optical axis, said entrance aperture of said optical system displaced from said optical axis so as to thereby increase the modulation transfer function of said optical system;

said aspheric secondary mirror directing said radiation onto a means for splitting said radiation into a first image forming optical path and a second image forming optical path;

a first field optical assembly in said first optical path directing radiation in a first portion of the electromagnetic spectrum onto a first radiation receiving device;

a second field optical assembly in said second optical path directing radiation in a second portion of the electromagnetic spectrum onto a second radiation receiving device;

said aspheric primary mirror, aspheric secondary mirror, first field optical assembly, second field optical assembly and means for splitting said radiation assembled in an aerial reconnaissance camera housing;

said first and second radiation receiving devices comprising charge coupled devices;

wherein said first and second portions of the spectrum imaged by said charge coupled devices comprise the ultraviolet and visible portions of the spectrum, respectively.

28. A multi-spectral decentered optical system, said optical system defining a single entrance aperture, comprising:

an aspheric primary mirror receiving incident radiation;

an aspheric secondary mirror receiving said radiation from said primary mirror;

said optical system defining an optical axis, said entrance aperture of said optical system displaced from said optical axis so as to thereby increase the modulation transfer function of said optical system;

said aspheric secondary mirror directing said radiation onto a means for splitting said radiation into a first image forming optical path and a second image forming optical path;

a first field optical assembly in said first optical path directing radiation in a first portion of the electromagnetic spectrum onto a first radiation receiving device;

a second field optical assembly in said second optical path directing radiation in a second portion of the electromagnetic spectrum onto a second radiation receiving device;

said aspheric primary mirror, aspheric secondary mirror, first field optical assembly, second field optical assembly and means for splitting assembled in an aerial reconnaissance camera housing;

said first and second radiation receiving devices comprising charge coupled devices;

wherein said first and second portion of the spectrum imaged by said charge coupled devices comprise the visible and infrared portions of the spectrum, respectively.

29. A multi-spectral decentered optical system, said optical system defining a single entrance aperture, comprising:

an aspheric primary mirror receiving incident radiation;

an aspheric secondary mirror receiving said radiation from said primary mirror;

said optical system defining an optical axis, said entrance aperture of said optical system displaced from said optical axis so as to thereby increase the modulation transfer function of said optical system;

said aspheric secondary mirror directing said radiation onto a means for splitting said radiation into a first image forming optical path and a second image forming optical path;

a first field optical assembly in said first optical path directing radiation in a first portion of the electromagnetic spectrum onto a first radiation receiving device;

a second field optical assembly in said second optical path directing radiation in a second portion of the electromagnetic spectrum onto a second radiation receiving device;

said aspheric primary mirror, aspheric secondary mirror, first field optical assembly, second field optical assembly and means for splitting said radiation assembled in an aerial reconnaissance camera housing;

said first and second radiation receiving devices comprising charge coupled devices;

wherein said first and second portions of the spectrum imaged by said charge coupled devices comprise the ultraviolet and infrared portions of the spectrum, respectively.

30. A multi-spectral decentered aperture catadioptric optical system, said optical system having a single entrance aperture, comprising:

an aspheric primary mirror receiving incident radiation;

an aspheric secondary mirror receiving said radiation from said primary mirror;

said optical system defining an optical axis, said entrance aperture of said optical system displaced from said optical axis so as to thereby increase the modulation transfer function of said optical system;

said aspheric secondary mirror directing said radiation onto a means for splitting said radiation into a first image forming optical path and a second image forming optical path;

a first field optical assembly in said first optical path directing radiation in a first broad portion of the electromagnetic spectrum onto a first radiation receiving device;

a second field optical assembly in said second optical path directing radiation in a second broad portion of the electromagnetic spectrum onto a second radiation receiving device;

wherein radiation impinging on said radiation receiving devices passes through said single entrance aperture and wherein the optical design of said primary and secondary mirrors and said first and second field optical assemblies is optimized in a decentered configuration so as to produce a non-circular field of view for said first and second radiation receiving devices, said non-circular field of view having a magnitude in one direction substantially greater than a magnitude in an orthogonal direction.

31. The multi-spectral decentered catadioptric optical system of claim 30, wherein said first and second radiation receiving devices comprise linear charge-coupled devices.

32. The multi-spectral decentered catadioptric optical system of claim 30, wherein said first broad portion of the electromagnetic spectrum comprises the visible portion of the spectrum.

33. The multi-spectral decentered catadioptric optical system of claim 30, wherein said first broad portion of the electromagnetic spectrum comprises the infrared portion of the spectrum.

34. The multi-spectral decentered catadioptric optical system of claim 30, wherein at least one of said radiation receiving devices comprises a area array of limited width.

35. A multi-spectral decentered aperture catadioptric optical system, said optical system having a single entrance aperture, comprising:

an aspheric primary mirror receiving incident radiation;

an aspheric secondary mirror receiving said radiation from said primary mirror;

said optical system defining an optical axis, said entrance aperture of said optical system displaced from said optical axis so as to thereby increase the modulation transfer function of said optical system;

said aspheric secondary mirror directing said radiation into at least one image forming path;

a field optical assembly in said image forming path directing radiation in a broad portion of the electromagnetic spectrum onto at least one radiation receiving device forming an image from said radiation;

said at least one radiation receiving device imaging in two broad portions of the electromagnetic spectrum;

wherein radiation impinging on said at least one radiation receiving device passes through said single entrance aperture and wherein said primary and secondary mirrors and said field optical assembly are constructed so as to permit high resolution images to be generated from radiation receiving device;

wherein said broad portion of the electromagnetic spectrum comprises the portion of the spectrum between 200 nm and 14 microns.

36. The system of claim 35, further comprises a second radiation device and a set of second field optical assemblies in a second optical path and wherein said first radiation receiving device images in a first portion of said broad portion of said electromagnetic spectrum and said second radiation receiving device images in a second portion of said broad portion of said electromagnetic spectrum.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein said first portion comprises the a first portion of the infrared spectrum below 14 microns and said second portion comprises a second portion of the infra-red spectrum below 14 microns.