Anamorphic optical system

An anamorphic optical system, comprising:

• a. at least one first optical prism, wherein said at least one first optical prism comprises:
• i. a first surface;
• ii. a second surface, wherein said first and second surfaces are inclined relative to one another about a first apex;
• and
• iii. at least one optical medium between said first surface and said second surface;
• b. at least one second optical prism, wherein said at least one second optical prism comprises:
• i. a third surface;
• ii. a fourth surface, wherein said third and fourth surfaces are inclined relative to one another about a second apex;
• and
• iii. at least one optical medium between said third surface and said fourth surface, wherein said first and second apexes are substantially parallel with respect to one another, a first axis along which the anamorphic optical system receives light of an image is substantially perpendicular to each of said first and second apexes, said at least one first and at least one second optical prisms s are arranged in a complementary relationship, so that said first and second apexes are on opposite sides of said first axis, said at least one first and at least one second optical prisms in combination provide for anamorphic magnification of said light of said image when said light passes through said at least one first and at least one second optical prisms, a direction of said anamorphic magnification is substantially perpendicular to said first and second apexes, and said at least one first and at least one second optical prisms in combination generate at least one first aberration in said light of said image;
• and
• c. an optical corrector comprising at least one refractive or diffractive element, wherein said optical corrector exhibits anamorphic optical power associated with at least one linear axis of cylindrical curvature, said optical corrector is rotated about an axis of rotation by a corresponding rotation angle that provides for at least partially compensating for at least one said at least one first aberration responsive to said rotation angle, wherein said axis of rotation is substantially parallel to both said first and second apexes, and said rotation angle is relative to said first axis and in excess of 10 degrees off normal to said optical corrector.

A method of anamorphically magnifying an image, comprising:

• a. projecting light of the image from an image projector through an anamorphic optical system generally along a first axis, wherein said anamorphic optical system operates on said light to provide anamorphic magnification of said image along or in a direction of a magnification axis of said image, and said anamorphic optical system produces at least one optical aberration in said image;
• and
• b. passing said light of said image through an optical corrector, wherein said optical corrector incorporates at least one refractive or diffractive element, said optical corrector exhibits anamorphic optical power so as to provide for at least partially compensating for at least one said at least one optical aberration;
• and said optical corrector is rotated about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to said magnification axis by an angle that is off normal relative to said first axis and in excess of 10 degrees.