US 10,185,133 B1 · Reflective triplet foreoptics for multi-channel double-pass dispersive spectrometers

Abstract

A non-relayed reflective triplet and a double-pass imaging spectrometer including the reflective triplet configured as its objective. In one example the reflective triplet includes a primary mirror that receives and reflects electromagnetic radiation from a viewed scene and defines an optical axis of the optical system, a secondary mirror that receives and reflects the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the primary mirror, and a tertiary mirror that receives the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the secondary mirror and focuses the electromagnetic radiation onto an image plane to form an image of the viewed scene. The primary, secondary, and tertiary mirrors together are configured to form a virtual exit pupil for the optical system, the image plane being located between the tertiary mirror and the virtual exit pupil. The reflective triplet is on-axis in aperture and off-axis in field of view.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An all-reflective, non-relayed optical system comprising:

a primary mirror configured to receive and reflect electromagnetic radiation from a viewed scene, the primary mirror defining an optical axis of the optical system;
a secondary mirror configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the primary mirror and to further reflect the electromagnetic radiation;
and
a tertiary mirror configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the secondary mirror and to focus the electromagnetic radiation onto an image plane to form an image of the viewed scene, the primary mirror, the secondary mirror, and the tertiary mirror together being configured to form a virtual exit pupil for the optical system, the image plane being located between the tertiary mirror and the virtual exit pupil;
wherein the optical system has an aperture stop that is on-axis with respect to the optical axis, and wherein a line field of view of the optical system is off-axis with respect to the optical axis.

2 more elements

A double-pass imaging spectrometer comprising:

an objective configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from a viewed scene and to focus the electromagnetic radiation onto an image plane to produce an image of the viewed scene, the objective including a reflective triplet having a virtual exit pupil and configured to be on-axis in aperture and off-axis in field of view relative to an optical axis of the reflective triplet;
a spectral optical module having a relayed optical form and a reimaged entrance pupil aligned and coincident with the virtual exit pupil of the objective, the reflective triplet of the objective and the spectral optical module being pupil-matched to one another;
and
an entrance slit aligned and coincident with the image plane of the objective, the spectral optical module being configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the objective via the entrance slit and to double-pass the electromagnetic radiation.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Reflective triplet foreoptics for multi-channel double-pass dispersive spectrometers

Life of this patent

Reflective triplet foreoptics for multi-channel double-pass dispersive spectrometers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20