Dual band infrared lens assembly using diffractive optics
First Claim
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1. An infrared lens assembly operative in the near and far infrared wavebands, comprising:
- a focusing component positioned along an optical axis to receive infrared radiation, the focusing component comprising at least one focusing lens formed from a material that has a minimal change in Abbe V-number between the far and near infrared wavebands;
a collecting component positioned along the optical axis in optical communication with the focusing component, the collecting component comprising at least one collecting lens formed from the material;
a diffracting component positioned along the optical axis 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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Abstract
An infrared lens assembly (16, 60 and 80) operative in the near and far infrared wavebands to focus infrared radiation at an image plane (15) of an infrared detector (18). The infrared lens assembly (16, 60 and 80) includes a focusing component (33, 63 and 83), a collecting component (37, 65 and 85) and a diffracting component (41, 67 and 87). The focusing component (33, 63 and 83) and the collecting component (37, 65 and 85) may be formed from high dispersion, low index material. The diffracting component (41, 67 and 87) may be used to correct color aberrations associated with an infrared waveband.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An infrared lens assembly operative in the near and far infrared wavebands, comprising:
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a focusing component positioned along an optical axis to receive infrared radiation, the focusing component comprising at least one focusing lens formed from a material that has a minimal change in Abbe V-number between the far and near infrared wavebands; a collecting component positioned along the optical axis in optical communication with the focusing component, the collecting component comprising at least one collecting lens formed from the material; a diffracting component positioned along the optical axis 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, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. 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 positioned along an optical axis; and an infrared 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 positioned along the optical axis to receive infrared radiation, the focusing component comprising at least one focusing lens formed from a material that has a minimal change in Abbe V-number between the far and near infrared wavebands; a collecting component positioned along the optical axis in optical communication with the focusing component, the collecting component comprising at least one collecting lens formed from the material; a diffracting component positioned along the optical axis 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 (20, 21)
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22. A method of focusing infrared radiation at an image plane of an infrared detector, comprising the steps of:
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transmitting, at a focusing component positioned along an optical axis, infrared radiation via a material that has a minimal change in Abbe V-number between the far and near infrared wavebands; transmitting, at a collecting component in optical communication with the focusing component, the infrared radiation via the material; and diffracting, at a diffracting component in optical communication with the focusing and collecting components, the infrared radiation to correct color aberrations.
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23. An apparatus comprising an infrared lens system, said infrared lens system including:
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a collecting and focusing section and a diffracting section which cooperate to focus infrared radiation at an image plane; said collecting and focusing section including a plurality of lens elements which are located along an optical axis in optical communication with each other, and which are each made of a material having similar optical characteristics in each of first and second infrared wavebands that are respectively, a near infrared waveband and a far infrared waveband; and said diffracting section including a diffracting element having thereon a diffractive surface, wherein said diffractive element can be moved between operational and nonoperational locations in which said diffracting element is respectively located along and spaced from the optical axis, wherein when said diffracting element is in the operational location, said diffracting element is in optical communication with said lens elements, and said diffractive surface thereon corrects color aberrations in a selected one of the first and second wavebands. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification