Mid-wave infrared lens system with liquid optical element
AssigneeLockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
InventorPaul Newell Robb
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Abstract
A lens system with a liquid optical element is for use in the mid-wave infrared from 3.0 micron to 5.0 micron wavelength is described. Using a liquid optical element which is highly transmissive in the 3.0 micron to 5.0 micron waveband of interest in conjunction with a solid material which is also highly transmissive in that waveband provides a lens design with very good optical performance which is less expensive and which is much lighter in weight than an all solid design of the same optical performance.
Claims10
A lens system for use in the mid-wave infrared 3.0 micron to 5.0 micron region of the electromagnetic spectrum, said lens system comprising a first rigid lens element, a second rigid lens element, and a liquid lens element, said liquid lens element being contained between said first and second rigid lens elements, said first and second rigid lens elements and said liquid lens element co-acting with each other to cause said lens system to produce imagery over a continuous infrared wavelength band from 3.0 micron to 5.0 micron.
A lens system for use in the mid-wave infrared 3.0 micron to 5.0 micron region of the electromagnetic spectrum, said lens system comprising a first rigid lens element, a second rigid lens element, and a liquid lens element, said liquid lens element being contained between said first and second rigid lens elements, said first and second rigid lens elements and said liquid lens element co-acting with each other to cause said lens system to produce imagery over a continuous infrared wavelength band from 3.0 micron to 5.0 micron, and
- wherein the liquid lens element is made of a liquid having infrared transparency continuously through the 3.0 micron to 5.0 micron waveband, and
- wherein the first and second rigid lens elements are made of solid material(s) having infrared transparency continuously through the 3.0 micron to 5.0 micron waveband, and
- wherein said first and second rigid lens elements and said liquid lens element are configured and positioned with respect to each other according to a design form specified as follows:
- ______________________________________ Surface Radius Thickness No. (inches) (inches) Index of Refraction Material ______________________________________ 1 1.532582 0.020000 2.433139 ZnSe 2 6.744201 0.002000 1.442761 459487 3 0.689976 0.020000 2.433139 ZnSe 4 1.141648 0.980637 AIR ______________________________________
- wherein the surfaces of the optic elements are numbered consecutively from left to right along the optic axis and where the Index of Refraction values listed refer to the index of refraction of the lens element bounded on the left by the indicated surface at the 4.00 micron wavelength.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.