All-reflective zoom optical imaging system
AssigneeThe B. F. Goodrich Company
InventorsBerge Tatian, Richard Wientzen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An all-reflective zoom optical system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of curved relay mirrors successively reflecting electromagnetic radiation received by the system to generate a real image with electromagnetic radiation on a focal surface that is fixed across the zoom range. Further, the entrance aperture also is constant for any zoom position. The curved relay mirrors are movable in relationship to each other in mutually parallel tracks to effect the magnification. The system further includes a primary and secondary mirror for collecting and reflecting incoming electromagnetic radiation to the curved relay mirrors.
Claims27
A reflective zoom optical system comprising:
- a primary mirror for collecting and reflecting electromagnetic radiation entering the system through an entrance aperture;
- a secondary mirror for receiving the electromagnetic radiation from the primary mirror and reflecting the electromagnetic radiation;
- a focal surface;
- and
- a plurality of curved relay mirrors successively reflecting electromagnetic radiation received from the secondary mirror to generate a real image with the electromagnetic radiation at the focal surface, the curved relay mirrors being movable in relationship to each other in order to effect magnification, wherein the plurality of curved relay mirrors comprises:
- an initial mirror for receiving the electromagnetic radiation from the secondary mirror, and a final mirror for generating the real image at the focal surface, wherein the initial and final mirrors have aspheric curvatures with only bilateral symmetry.
An all-reflective zoom optical system comprising:
- a primary mirror for collecting and reflecting electromagnetic radiation entering the system;
- a stationary secondary mirror, coaxial with the primary mirror, for receiving the electromagnetic radiation from the primary mirror and reflecting the electromagnetic radiation coaxially through a center of the primary mirror;
- a focal surface having an aspherical curvature with only bilateral symmetry;
- and
- a plurality of curved relay mirrors, positioned behind the primary mirror, receiving and successively reflecting the electromagnetic radiation from the secondary mirror, the curved relay mirrors being movable in relationship to each other in order to effect magnification, wherein the curved relay mirrors generate a real image at the focal surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.