Optical objective with enlargement of the exit pupil by means of a diffractive element

An optical instrument for producing an optical image to be viewed by an observer, the optical instrument comprising:

• an optical system for producing an optical image of an object which is viewable by an observer at an exit pupil;
• and
• a diffractive element located at an image plane of the optical system for producing an array of the exit pupils, which are perceivable as a single, enlarged exit pupil by the observer;
• wherein the diffractive element comprises a surface which has an array of diffractive units, each of which generates one of the exit pupils of the array of exit pupils, the diffractive units each comprising a lenticule, which is effective to produce diffractive interference of light and generate a plurality of exit pupils which are displaced relative to one another in the form of an array of exit pupils, the lenticules each comprising an irregular feature having a plurality of surfaces.

An optical instrument for producing an optical image to be viewed by an observer, the optical instrument comprising:

• an optical system for producing an optical image of an object which is viewable by an observer at an exit pupil;
• and
• a diffractive element located at an image plane of the optical system for producing an array of the exit pupils, which are perceivable as a single, enlarged exit pupil by the observer;
• wherein the diffractive element comprises a surface which has an array of diffractive units, each of which generates one of the exit pupils of the array of exit pupils, the diffractive units each comprising a lenticule, which is effective to produce diffractive interference of light and generate a plurality of exit pupils which are displaced relative to one another in the form of an array of exit pupils, the lenticules each comprising an irregular feature having a plurality of surfaces and being formed on a radial spiral.