Optical mapping apparatus
OwnerAndrew Dean, Alan H Lettington +1inventors
InventorsAndrew Dean, Alan H Lettington, David A Huckridge
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Abstract
Optical mapping apparatus in which a long, one or two dimensional detector array or higher resolution two dimensional array is synthesised using a two dimensional array (of shorter dimensions). The two dimensional array has an input mask having waveguides with a smaller input than output and the apparatus is adapted to scan the scene relative to the array to image different parts of the scene. In one embodiment the apparatus is adapted such that different parts of a line through the image which is perpendicular to the scan direction are imaged at different times as the detector array is scanned.
Claims22
An imaging apparatus comprising a two dimensional detector array of detector elements and an input mask having a waveguide associated with each detector element, each waveguide having an input for receiving radiation for a scene and an output for passing radiation to its associated detector element characterised in that the output of each waveguide is larger than the input and wherein the apparatus comprises means for scanning the scene relative to the array so as to allow synthesis of a different sized array.
An imaging apparatus as claimed in any previous claim wherein the apparatus further comprises a first optical system for passing radiation from the scene to the input mask.
An imaging apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the input mask is located adjacent the detector array.
An imaging apparatus as claimed in any previous claim wherein the apparatus is scanned relative to a scene in a scan direction and wherein the input mask and detector elements are arranged such that radiation from different parts of an image line perpendicular to the scan direction is imaged at different times as the apparatus is scanned in the scan, direction.
An imaging apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the detector array comprises a thermal imaging detector array.
An imaging apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising an input optical arrangement, the input optical arrangement being arranged to transmit radiation from the focal plane of the input optical arrangement to the detector array.
A conversion plate for guiding radiation incident on one face thereof on to an array of elements comprising an array of waveguides or light-pipes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.