Method for deflection of optical rays and an optical arrangement therefor

In an optical arrangement for the detection of optical rays received from a wide spatial angle which rays are caused to impinge upon the surface of a detector having an optical detection capability which undesirably decreases in sensitivity as the angle of optical rays impinging upon said detector surface increases, the improvement therewith of apparatus for confining said rays within a predetermined area indicative of a high sensitivity for said detector, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) carrier means defining a generally planar surface;
• (b) at least two separate, spaced-apart reflectors projecting from said generally planar surface of said carrier means on opposite sides of a line perpendicular to said generally planar surface, each of said reflectors having a reflecting surface, said reflecting surfaces being tilted towards said perpendicular line so that said reflecting surfaces face towards said perpendicular line and face towards said generally planar surface, said reflectors defining openings therebetween at the margins of said reflectors extending to said generally planar surface so that radiant energy rays directed adjacent said generally planar surface can pass into said openings alongside one of said reflectors so as to impinge on the reflecting surface of the other one of said reflectors;
• and
• (c) means for mounting said detector so that said detector surface is disposed at said generally planar surface of said carrier means in a predetermined area adjacent the intersection of said perpendicular line with said generally planar surface and so that said detector surface faces towards said reflectors,
• whereby optical rays passing adjacent said generally planar surface will impinge upon said reflecting surfaces and will be reflected onto said detector surface to enable said detector to respond to said rays with a substantial increase in efficiency.