Filled plastic mirrors and low-cost infrared optics system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An optics system, comprising:
- a mirror body having at least two mirror surfaces thereon arranged such that the mirror surfaces define an optical path extending between the at least two mirror surfaces, the mirror body being made of a mixture of plastic and a filler distributed therein, wherein the filler is generally equiaxed; and
a reflective coating on each mirror surface.
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Abstract
A mirror includes a mirror body with a reflective coating on at least one mirror surface. The mirror body is formed of a plastic into which a filler is mixed. The mirror body is preferably formed by injection molding of a mixture of the plastic and the solid filler. The mirror is used in optical imaging applications such as an infrared optical system.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. An optics system, comprising:
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a mirror body having at least two mirror surfaces thereon arranged such that the mirror surfaces define an optical path extending between the at least two mirror surfaces, the mirror body being made of a mixture of plastic and a filler distributed therein, wherein the filler is generally equiaxed; and a reflective coating on each mirror surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An infrared optics system for use with infrared radiation, comprising:
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an infrared detector; and a mirror positioned to reflect a beam of infrared radiation toward the infrared detector, the mirror comprising; a solid mirror body made of a mixture of plastic and a filler, the plastic being a thermoformable plastic, at least two mirror surfaces on the mirror body, the at least two mirror surfaces being arranged to define an optical path extending between the at least two mirror surfaces and the infrared detector, and a reflective coating on each of the mirror surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for detecting infrared radiation, comprising the steps of:
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providing an infrared detector; providing a mirror, the mirror comprising; a solid mirror body made of a mixture of a thermoformable plastic and a filler, the step of providing including the step of injection molding the mixture of thermoformable plastic and filler into a shape of the mirror body, and a reflective coating on at least one surface of the mirror body, the mirror being positioned to reflect a beam of infrared radiation from the reflective coating toward the infrared detector; and directing a beam of infrared radiation against the reflective coating of the mirror, whereupon the beam is reflected into the infrared detector. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification