Pupil enlargement component for an optical device
AssigneeVision Engineering Limited
InventorRobin J. Freeman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A composite optical component for use in an improved optical system, for example, of the type in U.S. Pat. No. 4,012,109 includes opposed discs having surfaces in contact. The surfaces in contact are grooved with parallel grooves providing an undulating surface every portion of which is arcuate and capable of magnifying an image at a focal plane approximately between the grooved surfaces of the discs. The grooves are arranged transverse to one another, and preferably at 90.degree., and the component is rotated about an axis normal to the focal point.
Claims21
An optical system comprising means for developing an image at a focal plane, an optical component having a pair of members, at least one of which is light transmissive, with opposed generally planar surfaces approximately in said focal plane, each opposed surface having generally parallel grooves such that any section taken through a member transverse to the grooves is distinguished by undulations formed by the grooves, such that every part of such surface is arcuate, the grooves of one member being arranged transverse to the grooves of the other, whereby each pencil of light passing through said at least one member and reaching the opposed surface of the other member is everywhere subject to a magnifying effect to provide a magnified image in said focal plane;
- means to rotate said optical component in the focal plane;
- and a field lens system arranged to receive light from said optical component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.