Multi-spectral target detection system with common collecting means

Abstract

A multi-spectral detection system and method for detecting radiation from a single target within frequency bands that are in diverse portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The system includes common radiant energy collection elements for collecting radiant energy of different width wavelength bands from a single target feature in the diverse portions of the electromagnetic spectrum and focusing the collected energy to a common focal point; a waveguide positioned at the focal point for transferring the collected radiant energy away from the focal point; an imaging system for dispersing the transferred energy into separate beams having spectral regions respectively corresponding to the diverse portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, with the beams being of uniform cross sectional dimension notwithstanding said different widths, and for focusing the separate beams to a common plane for detection by separately positioned detectors; and separate detectors of uniform cross-sectional area positioned for respectively detecting the separate beams and adapted for respectively detecting energy in the separate spectral regions of the separate beams. Various imaging systems including focusing prisms and focusing grating systems are disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.