Variable focal length micro lens array field curvature corrector
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsJames Allen Cox, Bernard S. Fritz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides an optical system that includes an array of opto-electronic devices, an array of micro lenses, and a fore optic. The array of opto-electronic devices lie substantially along a plane, but the fore optic has a non-planar focal field. To compensate for the non-planar focal field of the fore optic, each opto-electronic device has a corresponding micro lens. Each micro lens has a focal length and/or separation distance that compensates for the non-planar focal field of the fore optic. As a result, light that is provided by the fore optic is reconfigured by the micro lenses to be substantially focused along the plane of the array of opto-electronic devices.
Claims8
A focal field corrector comprising:
- a first substrate having a first surface on one side that is substantially planar and a second surface on an opposite side that has a plurality of stepped-surfaces, wherein some of the surfaces of the plurality of surfaces are not situated in a plane relative to each other;
- and
- a plurality of micro lenses wherein each micro lens is situated on a surface of said plurality of surfaces, and each micro lens is situated to compensate for a non-planar focal field of a fore lens to appear substantially planar at the first surface of said first substrate.
An optical system comprising:
- an array of opto-electronic devices provided substantially along a plane;
- and
- an array of micro lenses disposed adjacent to the array of opto-electronic devices, at least some of the micro lenses not being situated in the same plane;
- and
- wherein
- the array of opto-electronic devices is fabricated on a first substrate;
- the array of micro lenses is fabricated on a second substrate;
- and
- the first substrate is adjacent to the second substrate.
A focal field adjuster comprising:
- an array of opto-electronic devices situated substantially in a plane on a first substrate and having a focal field;
- an array of micro lenses proximate to said array of opto-electronic devices situated partially in a non-planar relationship so as to adjust the focal field;
- wherein:
- said array of micro lenses are situated on a second substrate;
- the second substrate has first and second surfaces;
- said array of micro lenses are situated on the first surface of the second substrate;
- said array of opto-electronic devices is situated in a first surface of the first substrate;
- and
- the second surface of the second substrate is attached to the first surface of the first substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.