Multi-mode optical imager
First Claim
1. A common aperture multi-mode optical system, comprising:
- reflective first fore-optics for imaging electromagnetic radiation through a common aperture to an intermediate image plane;
a first imaging module having(a) a first beam-splitter located after the common aperture, for dividing the electromagnetic radiation between a first wavelength band and one or more second wavelength bands,(b) a first detector for detecting the first wavelength band,(c) one or more second detectors for detecting the second wavelength bands; and
an interface for attaching the first imaging module to the first fore-optics and alternatively detaching the first imaging module from the first fore-optics.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A common aperture, multi-mode optical imager for imaging electromagnetic radiation bands from a field of two or more different wavelengths is described. Fore-optics are provided to gather and direct electromagnetic radiation bands forming an image into an aperture of the multi-mode optical imager. The image is divided into two different wavelength bands, such as visible light and long-wave infrared. The first wavelength band (e.g., visible light) is detected by a first detector, such as a CCD array, for imaging thereof. The second wavelength band (e.g., long-wave infrared) is detected by a second detector, such as an uncooled microbolometer array, for imaging thereof. Additional optics may be provided for conditioning of the first and second wavelength bands, such as such as for changing the magnification, providing cold shielding, filtering, and/or further spectral separation.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A common aperture multi-mode optical system, comprising:
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reflective first fore-optics for imaging electromagnetic radiation through a common aperture to an intermediate image plane; a first imaging module having (a) a first beam-splitter located after the common aperture, for dividing the electromagnetic radiation between a first wavelength band and one or more second wavelength bands, (b) a first detector for detecting the first wavelength band, (c) one or more second detectors for detecting the second wavelength bands; and an interface for attaching the first imaging module to the first fore-optics and alternatively detaching the first imaging module from the first fore-optics. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A common aperture multi-mode optical system, comprising:
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reflective first fore-optics for imaging electromagnetic radiation through a common aperture to an intermediate image plane; a removably-attachable first imaging module configured for attachment to the reflective first fore optics, the first imaging module having; (a) a first beam-splitter for dividing the electromagnetic radiation through the common aperture between a first wavelength band and one or more second wavelength bands, (b) a first detector for detecting the first wavelength band, (c) one or more second detectors for detecting the second wavelength bands; and (d) one or more refractive elements transmissive to the second wavelength bands, for imaging the second wavelength bands to the second detectors. - View Dependent Claims (41)
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Specification