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AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsBryan Coon, John F. McGee, III, Neil Sherman, Lou Montulli
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Multi-spectral images are detected using a refractive objective lens system. Magnesium oxide (MgO) and calcium fluoride (CaF.sub.2) lenses are used to image scenes in both the visible and infra-red (IR) spectrums. The inventors have discovered that the combination of magnesium oxide, only recently made available in a pure crystal form, and calcium fluoride can be used to fabricate an objective lens for imaging objects in both the visible and infra-red spectrums. Moreover, the combination of magnesium oxide and calcium fluoride results in a super-achromatic condition across visible and infra-red spectrums. This chromatically-corrected spectral range includes wavelengths between 0.4 and 5.9 microns which covers medium-wave IR (MWIR), short-wave IR (SWIR), and the near-IR/visible windows. Combinations of MgO and CaF.sub.2 lenses are used in different compound objective lens designs including doublet, Petzval, inverted telephoto, and telephoto arrangements. Visible and/or IR applications for the multi-spectral objective lens system include telescopes, reconnaissance planes, satellites, forward-looking IR (FLIR) and staring sensor systems, night-vision goggles, and other optic and/or electro-optic detection systems.
A multi-spectral objective lens system for imaging light in a wavelength range which includes visible and infrared wavelengths, comprising:
A multi-spectral objective lens system for imaging light in a wavelength range which includes visible and infrared wavelengths, comprising:
The system of claim 14, wherein said first lens has first and second surfaces, said second lens has third and fourth surfaces, said third lens has fifth and sixth surfaces, said fourth lens has seventh and eighth surfaces;
A multi-spectral objective lens system for imaging light in a wavelength range which includes visible and infrared wavelengths, comprising:
A multi-spectral objective lens system for imaging light in a wavelength range which includes visible and infrared wavelengths, comprising:
A multi-spectral objective lens system for imaging light in a wavelength range which includes visible and infrared wavelengths, comprising:
A method for detecting visible and infra-red images comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.