Electro-optic apparatus and process for multi-frequency variable refraction with minimized dispersion
OwnerRay M. Aldeninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The object of the prevent invention is to provide an optical system for producing variable refraction with minimized dispersion. A first material with a first apex angle in a first state and a second material with a second apex angle in a first state produce a first net refraction angle in at least two frequencies of electromagnetic radiation such that the beams that entered parallel exit parallel (to within a controllable tolerance). Said first material with said first apex angle in a second state and said second material with said second apex angle in a second state produce a second net refraction angle in at least two frequencies of electromagnetic radiation such that the beams that entered parallel exit parallel (to within a controllable tolerance).
Claims12
An achromatic optical assembly comprising a plurality of refractive elements arranged along an optical axis, said plurality of elements including:
- a first refractive element formed of a first electro-optic material operable in at least two refractive states, and having first and second refracting surfaces disposed in non-parallel planes through which at least two different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation passes;
- a second refractive element formed of a second electro-optic material operable in at least two refractive states, and having first and second refractive surfaces disposed in non-parallel planes through which at least two different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation passes;
- means to vary the refractive state of said first electro-optic material between said at least two refractive states, and means to vary the refractive state of said second electro-optic material between said at least two refractive states;
- wherein, in a first condition, the refractive index of said first electro-optic material is in a first state and the refractive index of said second electro-optic material is in a first state, such that the rays of said electromagnetic radiation of at least two different wavelengths are brought to focus at a fist focal length in such a way that rays which are parallel when incident upon said first refracting surface of said first electro-optic material, remain parallel when exiting said second refracting surface of said second electro-optic material;
- and wherein, in a second condition, the refractive index of said first electro-optic material is in a second state and the refractive index of said second electro-optic material is in a second state, such that rays of said electromagnetic radiation of at least two different wavelengths are brought to focus at a second focal length in such a way that rays which are parallel when incident upon said first refracting surface of said first electro-optic material, remain parallel when exiting said second refracting surface of said second electro-optic material.
An achromatic optical assembly comprising a plurality of refractive elements through which electromagnetic radiation passes in series, said plurality of elements including:
- a first refractive element formed of a first electro-optic material operable in at least two refractive states, and having first and second refracting surfaces disposed in non-parallel planes through which at least two different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation passes;
- a second refractive element formed of a second electro-optic material operable in at least two refractive states, and having first and second refractive surfaces disposed in non-parallel planes through which at least two different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation passes;
- means to vary the refractive state of said first electro-optic material between said at least two refractive states, and means to vary the refractive state of said second electro-optic material between said at least two refractive states;
- wherein, in a first condition, the refractive index of said first electro-optic material is in a first state and the refractive index of said second electro-optic material is in a first state, such that the rays of said electromagnetic radiation of at least two different wavelengths which are parallel when incident upon said first refracting surface of said first electro-optic material, remain parallel when exiting said second refracting surface of said second electro-optic material;
- and wherein, in a second condition, the refractive index of said first electro-optic material is in a second state and the refractive index of said second electro-optic material is in a second state, such that rays of said electromagnetic radiation of at least two different wavelengths which are parallel when incident upon said first refracting surface of said first electro-optic material, remain parallel when exiting said second refracting surface of said second electro-optic material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.