Dual purpose infrared lens assembly using diffractive optics
First Claim
1. An infrared zoom lens assembly, comprising:
- a focusing zoom component located along an optical axis to receive infrared radiation, the focusing zoom component including;
a first focusing zoom lens which provides both a focusing function and a zoom function, the first focusing zoom lens being located along the optical axis at a first location when said zoom lens assembly is at a first zoom position and when said zoom lens assembly is at a second zoom position different from the first zoom position; and
a second focusing zoom lens which provides both a focusing function and a zoom function, the second focusing zoom lens being movably supported in said infrared zoom lens assembly;
a collecting component located along the optical axis and in optical communication with the focusing zoom component, the collecting component including at least one collecting lens; and
a diffracting component located along the optical axis and in optical communication with the focusing zoom component and the collecting component, the diffracting component including at least one diffractive surface to correct color aberrations associated with an infrared waveband;
the focusing zoom component and the collecting component cooperating with the diffracting component to focus infrared radiation at an image plane of an infrared detector;
the first focusing zoom lens being movably supported in said infrared zoom lens assembly; and
the first focusing zoom lens being located along the optical axis at a second location different from the first location when said zoom lens assembly is between the first and second zoom positions.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An infrared zoom lens assembly (16) operative as either a continuous zoom or a two-position zoom lens. The infrared zoom lens assembly (16) includes a focusing component (33), a collecting component (37) and a diffracting component (41). The focusing component (33) includes a first focusing zoom lens (34) positioned at the same location at the ends of the zoom range and a second focusing zoom lens (36) movably mounted in the infrared zoom lens assembly (16). The diffracting component (41) may be used 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).
68 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An infrared zoom lens assembly, comprising:
-
a focusing zoom component located along an optical axis to receive infrared radiation, the focusing zoom component including; a first focusing zoom lens which provides both a focusing function and a zoom function, the first focusing zoom lens being located along the optical axis at a first location when said zoom lens assembly is at a first zoom position and when said zoom lens assembly is at a second zoom position different from the first zoom position; and a second focusing zoom lens which provides both a focusing function and a zoom function, the second focusing zoom lens being movably supported in said infrared zoom lens assembly; a collecting component located along the optical axis and in optical communication with the focusing zoom component, the collecting component including at least one collecting lens; and a diffracting component located along the optical axis and in optical communication with the focusing zoom component and the collecting component, the diffracting component including at least one diffractive surface to correct color aberrations associated with an infrared waveband; the focusing zoom component and the collecting component cooperating with the diffracting component to focus infrared radiation at an image plane of an infrared detector; the first focusing zoom lens being movably supported in said infrared zoom lens assembly; and the first focusing zoom lens being located along the optical axis at a second location different from the first location when said zoom lens assembly is between the first and second zoom positions.
-
-
2. An infrared zoom lens assembly, comprising:
-
a focusing zoom component located along an optical axis to receive infrared radiation, the focusing zoom component including; a first focusing zoom lens which provides both a focusing function and a zoom function, the first focusing zoom lens being located along the optical axis at a first location when said zoom lens assembly is at a first zoom position and when said zoom lens assembly is at a second zoom position different from the first zoom position; and a second focusing zoom lens which provides both a focusing function and a zoom function, the second focusing zoom lens being movably supported in said infrared zoom lens assembly; a collecting component located along the optical axis and in optical communication with the focusing zoom component, the collecting component including at least one collecting lens; a diffracting component located along the optical axis and in optical communication with the focusing zoom component and the collecting component, the diffracting component including at least one diffractive surface to correct color aberrations associated with an infrared waveband, and the focusing zoom component and the collecting component cooperating with the diffracting component to focus infrared radiation at an image plane of an infrared detector; and an aperture stop mounted on a movably supported lens, the aperture stop being operable to vary the F/Number of said zoom lens assembly between the first and second zoom positions. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. An infrared imaging system, comprising:
-
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 at least one of the near and far infrared wavebands, the infrared zoom lens assembly being in optical communication with the infrared detector and including; a focusing zoom component located along the optical axis to receive infrared radiation, the focusing zoom component further including; a first focusing zoom lens which provides both a focusing function and a zoom function, and which is formed from a high dispersion, low index material, the first focusing zoom lens being located along the optical axis at a first location when the zoom lens assembly is at a first zoom position and when the zoom lens assembly is at a second zoom position different from the first zoom position; and a second focusing zoom lens which provides both a focusing function and a zoom function, and which is formed from a high dispersion, low index material, the second focusing zoom lens being movably mounted in the infrared zoom lens assembly; a collecting component located along the optical axis and in optical communication with the focusing zoom component, the collecting component including at least one collecting lens formed from a high dispersion, low index material; and a diffracting component located along the optical axis and in optical communication with the focusing zoom component and the collecting component, the diffracting component including at least one diffractive surface to correct color aberrations associated with an infrared waveband; the focusing zoom component and the collecting component cooperating with the diffracting component to focus infrared radiation at the image plane of the infrared detector; the first focusing zoom lens being movably supported in said infrared zoom lens assembly; and the first focusing zoom lens being located along the optical axis at a second location different from the first location when the zoom lens assembly is between the first and second zoom positions.
-
-
19. An infrared imaging system, comprising:
-
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 at least one of the near and far infrared wavebands, the infrared zoom lens assembly being in optical communication with the infrared detector and including; a focusing zoom component located along the optical axis to receive infrared radiation, the focusing zoom component further including; a first focusing zoom lens which provides both a focusing function and a zoom function, and which is formed from a high dispersion, low index material, the first focusing zoom lens being located along the optical axis at a first location when the zoom lens assembly is at a first zoom position and when the zoom lens assembly is at a second zoom position different from the first zoom position; and a second focusing zoom lens which provides both a focusing function and a zoom function, and which is formed from a high dispersion, low index material, the second focusing zoom lens being movably mounted in the infrared zoom lens assembly; a collecting component located along the optical axis and in optical communication with the focusing zoom component, the collecting component including at least one collecting lens formed from a high dispersion, low index material; a diffracting component located along the optical axis and in optical communication with the focusing zoom component and the collecting component, the diffracting component including at least one diffractive surface to correct color aberrations associated with an infrared waveband, and the focusing zoom component and the collecting component cooperating with the diffracting component to focus infrared radiation at the image plane of the infrared detector; and an aperture stop mounted on a movably supported lens, the aperture stop being operable to vary the F/Number of said zoom lens assembly between zoom positions. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification