Midwave infrared discrete zoom lens
AssigneeBAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
InventorsMark Oskotsky, Daniel Engheben, Vincent Lipari, Michael Russo, Jr.
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Abstract
A mid-wave infrared (MWIR) discrete zoom lens for use with remote surveillance and identification having a dual focal length of 9 and 6.39 inches and F #2.8 and F #2, respectively. In one case, a full field of view is about 30.8 degrees for a 9 inch focal length configuration and about 43 degrees for a 6.39 inch focal length configuration. The lens is corrected for monochromatic and chromatic aberrations over the wavelength range 5100 nm-3300 nm. The focal plane may constitute a pixel array consisting of MWIR sensitive material (e.g. InSb, HgCdTe, nBn, SLS, etc.) for use in high-resolution, wide-area imaging applications.
Claims20
A discrete zoom lens, with elements arranged in order from a remote object to an image plane, comprising:
- a scanning mirror;
- a first group having a positive optical power, the first group comprising one of a first changeable optical group according to a first configuration and a second changeable optical group according to a second configuration, wherein the first changeable optical group and the second changeable optical group are configured to be interchangeable to provide different properties for the discrete zoom lens;
- a fold mirror;
- a second group having a positive optical power;
- an aperture stop;
- and
- a focal plane array;
- wherein the discrete zoom lens having the first changeable optical group has a focal length of 6.39 inches and the discrete zoom lens having the second changeable optical group has a focal length of 9 inches.
A discrete zoom lens, with elements arranged in order from a remote object to an image plane, comprising:
- a scanning mirror;
- a first group having one of the following:
- a first changeable optical group having a positive optical power, wherein the first changeable optical group is configured to receive light from the remote object and to direct converged light onto the second group, the first changeable optical group comprising three optical elements having in order from the remote object to the image plane positive, negative, and positive optical powers;
- or
- a second changeable optical group having a positive optical power, wherein the second changeable optical group is configured to receive light from the remote object and to direct converged light onto the second group, the second changeable optical group comprising three optical elements having in order from the remote object to the image plane positive, negative, and positive optical powers;
- a fold mirror;
- a second group having a positive optical power, wherein the second group comprises eight elements having in order from the remote object to the image plane positive, positive, negative, positive, negative, positive, positive, positive optical powers;
- an aperture stop;
- and
- a focal plane array;
- wherein a magnification of the second group is about 1x.
A discrete zoom lens, with a plurality of elements arranged in order from a remote object to an image plane, comprising:
- a scanning mirror;
- a first group with an interchangeable first or second configuration, comprising:
- if in a first configuration, a first changeable optical group having a positive optical power;
- and
- if in a second configuration, a second changeable optical group having a positive optical power;
- a fold mirror;
- a second group having a positive optical power, comprising:
- a first element having a positive optical power and made in a form of a double convex lens;
- a second element having a positive optical power and made in a form of a positive meniscus lens whose concave surface faces toward the image;
- a third element having a negative optical power and made in a form of negative meniscus lens whose concave surface faces toward the image;
- a fourth element having a positive optical power and made in a form of a positive meniscus lens whose concave surface faces toward the remote object;
- a fifth element having a negative optical power and made in a form of negative meniscus lens whose concave surface faces toward the remote object;
- a sixth element having a positive optical power and made in a form of a positive meniscus lens whose concave surface faces toward the remote object;
- a seventh element having a positive optical power and made in a form of a positive meniscus lens whose concave surface faces toward the image;
- and
- an eighth element having a positive optical power and made in a form of a positive meniscus lens whose concave surface faces toward the remote object;
- an aperture stop;
- and
- a focal plane array.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.