Abstract: An opto-mechanical deployable telescope includes a hub, at least one deployable multiple petal primary mirror mounted to the hub, a deployment assembly, and a deployment engine assembly. The deployment assembly is operable to move the at least one primary mirror between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployment engine assembly is operable to power the deployment assembly using stored mechanical energy. The deployment assembly includes a kinematic or semi-kinematic interface between the hub and the at least one primary mirror to hold petals of the at least one primary mirror in alignment relative to each other in the deployed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a telescopic sight for a firearm which has a telescope body (2) with an eyepiece (3) and an objective (4) and an illuminating device for an illuminated graticule, wherein the illuminating device has a control electronics unit (22) and an energy store (23). Further, the invention relates to an illuminating module (7) for a telescopic sight of this kind and a programming adapter (30) for an illuminating module of this kind. In order to enable an individual adjustment of the illumination characteristic, the control electronics unit (22) is arranged in a housing (10) which can be releasably accommodated in a saddle (8) on an outside of the telescopic sight (1), wherein the housing (10) with the control electronics unit (22) forms an independently manageable illuminating module (7) which can be fitted into a programming adapter (30).

Abstract: A protection device for an optical instrument of a satellite including a body on which the optical instrument is mounted, the optical instrument including a central mirror and peripheral mirrors reflecting light towards the central mirror, said protection device having a folded position and a deployed position, includes a plurality of panels rigid in the deployed position, the device forming a cellular structure including a tube for each peripheral mirror, the section of the tubes being a polygon, the tubes being disposed in such a manner as to protect the peripheral mirrors against stray illumination, and said panels being held against the body of the satellite in the folded position.

Abstract: An optical device includes an objective, an eyepiece and a power corrector, each of which includes one or more lenses, and each of which has a respective focal length. The input focal length of the device is defined jointly by the focal lengths of the objective and the power corrector. The magnification of the device is the ratio of the input focal length to the eyepiece focal length. The combined aberration of the eyepiece and the power corrector is less than the characteristic aberration of the eyepiece. The objective, the eyepiece and the power corrector together define an apparent field of view of at least 75 degrees and an exit pupil. The eyepiece lens diameter(s) is/are no greater than twelve times the pupil diameter and three times the eyepiece focal length.

Abstract: An optical device forms a beam path between an optical end element at a beam path end and an object scene into which the beam path is directed via a field of view of the end element. The optical device contains an alignment device for pivoting the field of view relative to a predetermined direction, an end optical unit and an optical articulation for guiding the beam path from the pivoted field of view into the end optical unit. In order to achieve good shielding against spurious radiation, the device has a shielding unit containing a shielding element led partly around the optical articulation, which shielding unit shields the optical articulation against incident radiation that is not incident through the entrance or exit aperture of the optical articulation.

Abstract: An optical device has a tube including a tube wall defining a viewing bore. A light source is in communication with the viewing bore for illuminating an aim point visible in the viewing bore. A control system includes a circuit board supported by the tube exterior of the viewing bore. The control system is in communication with the light source for controlling brightness of the illuminated aim point. The control system includes a light sensor mounted to the circuit board and extending from the circuit board through the tube wall into the viewing bore for sensing light in the viewing bore.

Abstract: Rifle scope turrets with spiral cam mechanisms include a scope body, a movable optical element defining an optical axis enclosed by the scope body, and a turret having a screw operably connected to the optical element for adjusting the optical axis in response to rotation of the screw. The turret has a spiral cam mechanism engaged thereto. The turret defines first and second stop surfaces positioned for engagement by the spiral cam to limit rotation of the turret. The first stop surface defines a zero position of the screw and the movable optical element. The second stop surface defines a maximum point of displacement of the screw and the moveable optical element. The stop surfaces may be defined by a spiral cam groove in the indexing portion of the turret. The groove may overlap itself at least partially. The turret may be an elevation turret or a windage turret.

Abstract: A telescopic optical system that can be compact and lightweight is provided, and an optical apparatus including the telescopic optical system is also provided.

Abstract: A light beam is applied to a front surface of an optical depolarizer. The depolarizer rotates the polarization of light received on different surface positions by different amounts, so that the average incoming polarization is scrambled. The depolarizer has a first and second body that transmit first and second polarization components of the beam with mutually different speeds of light. Each body has two wedge shaped parts of variable thickness, corresponding wedge shaped parts in the two bodies providing light paths of substantially position independent lengths, but with variable rotation of polarization. The wedge shape parts of the front body form a concave input surface for the incoming beam. This prevents cross-over of light between the different wedge shaped parts.

Abstract: An optical system for imaging an object on an image acquisition unit has a variable focal length for zooming. The optical system has precisely three lens units from the object in the direction of an image acquisition unit, namely a first lens unit, a second lens unit, and a third lens unit. The second lens unit and the third lens unit are movably situated along an optical axis of the optical system for a change of the focal length. The first lens unit includes a first lens group and a second lens group. The first lens group of the first lens unit is fixedly situated on the optical axis of the optical system. The second lens group of the first lens unit is movably situated along the optical axis of the optical system for focusing. The second lens group includes at least two lenses.

Abstract: A catadioptric telescope is a modified version of a conventional Maksutov-Cassegrain optical telescope. In accordance with the invention, the reflecting surfaces of the primary mirror and the secondary spot mirror are on the second surfaces of the primary mirror and correcting lens, respectively. In further accordance with the invention, two of these telescopes can be joined together to form a binocular telescope array. The array can be easily customized to suit different remote sensing/satellite applications.

Abstract: Thermal wake proximate to an optical element of a telescope may be reduced. Signal(s) related to respective temperatures of support struts supporting the optical element may be generated. The respective temperatures of the support struts may be determined based on the signal(s). Individual support struts may be heated based on the respective temperatures of the support struts. Heating a given support strut may cause the given support strut to thermally expand. Individual support struts may be at least partially enclosed with corresponding shrouds. Airspaces may be disposed between individual support struts and the corresponding shrouds. Heat emitted in the airspaces by the support struts may be ejected away from the optical element to prevent a thermal wake from reaching a volume proximate to the optical element.

Abstract: An adjustment tower for telescopic sights includes a first adjustment device and a second adjustment device, which are capable of rotating independently of one another relative to a base. The first adjustment device can be rotated in an adjustment position and has a secured position in which it is secured against rotation. The first adjustment device is also axially movable relative to the base to a limited extent such that in the adjustment position, the adjustment device projects further out of the second adjustment device than in the secured position. The tower further includes a stored-energy device that exerts an axial force on the first adjustment device from the secured position in the direction of the adjustment position.

Abstract: A viewing device synchronizer includes a viewing mechanism for viewing an object and a linking mechanism for linking a plurality of viewing mechanisms so that each is capable of viewing the object simultaneously. A movement mechanism moves a single viewing mechanism in any direction in order to view an object. A control mechanism moves any of the plurality of viewing mechanisms if the single viewing mechanism is moved. A directional pointing mechanism controls one or a plurality of the viewing mechanisms. A communication mechanism sends directional information for controlling the operation of the plurality of viewing mechanism from a single viewing mechanism.

Abstract: An afocal telescope configured for back-scanned imagery including a three mirror anastigmat and an optical element positioned proximate an intermediate image plane of the three mirror anastigmat and configured to adjust distortion characteristics of the afocal telescope to control image wander on a focal plane array. The optical element may be a field correcting lens or mirror, for example.

Abstract: The binoculars of the present invention comprise two optical units; one optical unit for each eye. Each optical unit comprises a first reflector element and a second reflector element, wherein at least one of the reflector elements is a micromirror array reflector. The binoculars of the present invention provide focusing and/or zoom functions without or with minimal macroscopic mechanical lens movement.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a beam control apparatus and method for correcting aberrations include an off-aperture telescope configured to receive a beam of electromagnetic energy, wherein the telescope includes a first optical element and a second optical element. The second optical element is configured to be translated in three orthogonal axes, and a wavefront error sensor is configured to detect aberrations in the beam and to provide a wavefront error signal in response thereto. A processor is configured to provide a correction signal in response to the wavefront error signal, and an actuator is coupled to the second optical element and configured, in response to the wavefront error signal, to selectively translate the second optical element in one or more of three substantially orthogonal directions corresponding to the three orthogonal axes.

Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating a marking, which is applied on a transparent reticle in the form of a diffraction structure, wherein illuminating beams are injected into the reticle via a side edge surface of the reticle such that they are emitted after diffraction at the marking perpendicular to the plane of the reticle, wherein a concavely curved mirror having two focal points is attached to the side edge surface such that a light source is arranged in the region of the first focal point and the marking is arranged in the region of the second focal point, wherein a second mirror having two focal points is attached such that a second light source with a second emission wavelength is arranged in the first focal point thereof and the marking is arranged in the region of the second focal point of the second mirror.

Abstract: Focusing devices and methods for controlling a focal position of an objective lens assembly in a night vision optical device are provided. The focusing device includes an objective lens assembly positioned at a first or second focus position from an imaging device and a binary focus controller, coupled to the objective lens assembly, configured to translate the objective lens assembly relative to the imaging device to either the first or second focus position. The objective lens assembly is translated to either the first or second focus position in response to an orientation of the night vision optical device.

Abstract: Image resolution enhancement techniques are implemented using a single image an unstructured broadband illumination. By placing an axicon and a convex lens pair in an optical path of a microscope, telescope, or the object system, between the system and an image capture pickup device (e.g., a camera) the maximum resolution of the system may be increased through the formation of an interference pattern at the image capture device.

Abstract: Telescopic sights commonly include a reticle which is laterally moved to adjust for the point of aim. In this invention, a prismatic device is used to move the image of the target on the reticle. In one embodiment, a pair of prisms are placed in the optical path of a telescopic sight such that at least one prism is movable along the optical axis. The point of aim is adjusted by adjusting the distance between the two prisms. By replacing the lateral movement of the reticle with the longitudinal movement of a prism, this invention eliminates several drawbacks associated with the prior art including limitations in the adjustment range.

Abstract: A terminal device of an apparatus to automatically introduce a target celestial object includes an input operation section executing a command operation on the apparatus. An image display section indicates a star map image in accordance with a display scale factor. The input operation section includes a rotation command means that executes a rotational driving of the astronomical telescope in a telescope control mode. A scale factor input means executes an input specification of the display scale factor for the displayed star map image, which corresponds to a position on a celestial sphere toward which the astronomical telescope is headed, while a speed of rotation of the astronomical telescope controlled by the rotation command means changes in accordance with a decreasing function of the display scale factor.

Abstract: An off-axis telescope having a primary optical element configured to reflect an energy beam from an optical reference source that emits the energy beam along an optical path. The telescope includes angle sensors arranged on a periphery of the primary optical element to determine angular motion of the energy beam from the optical reference source. The angle sensors are operable to be biased to positional settings associated with a desired pointing direction of the energy beam. A secondary optical element is arranged in the optical path and translated along three orthogonal axes. A plurality of steering mirrors arranged between the optical reference source and the secondary optical element is configured to be tilted in response to a control signal. A controller auto-aligns the telescope by at least translating the secondary optical element and tilting the steering mirrors via the control signal using at least inputs from the plurality of angle sensors.

Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an optical device comprises a telescope, a coronagraph device coupled to the telescope and having a focal plane occulting mask to provide a coronagraphic image, and a reticulate grid element arranged in a light path propagated through the telescope, at a location relative to the coronagraphic image, to create controlled fiducial spots in the coronagraphic image.

Abstract: A continuous zoom lens arrangement can image MWIR and LWIR spectral bands to a common image plane. Such an exemplary optical system comprises eight infrared imaging lenses that all transmit over the wavelengths 3.5-11.0 microns and form a collocated image plane for the MWIR and LWIR spectral bands. The lens has six stationary lenses, and two lenses that move in an axial fashion. A cold stop inside the dewar can act as the aperture stop of the system and control the stray light from reaching the FPA. The pupil is reimaged from the cold stop to near the first lens of the system to minimize the size of the lens.

Abstract: An RF/Optical shared aperture is capable of transmitting and receiving optical signals and RF signals simultaneously. This technology enables compact wide bandwidth communications systems with 100% availability in clear air turbulence, rain and fog. The functions of an optical telescope and an RF reflector antenna are combined into a single compact package by installing an RF feed at either of the focal points of a modified Gregorian telescope.

Abstract: Regarding a sighting telescope reversing system which comprises a guide casing fitted with a linear cam slot, further an external casing fitted with an external cam slot and fixed in the axial direction while rotatably supported on the guide casing, a mount holding a lens element and fitted with a guide pin passing through the linear cam slot as well as through the external cam slot, the present invention stipulates that the guide pin be fitted with a first and a second collar, both collars resting on a common shaft, the first collar being displaceable within the external cam slot and the second collar being displaceable within the linear cam slot.

Abstract: A focusing module for long focal length telescope which includes a sliding plate, a fixing sleeve, and a fixing bolt is disclosed. The drawtube is disposed on the sliding plate for sliding forward or backward to focus. The fixing sleeve and the fixing bolt form a connecting mechanism. When screwing the fixing sleeve to clamp the sliding plate from the bottom, the fixing bolt will be driven to clamp the sliding plate from the top simultaneously. This prevents the main tube and the drawtube from being displaced, and the target can be kept in the field of view of the telescope.

Abstract: Systems and methods have been provided to scale wavelength beam combining (WBC) systems, which are systems configured to increase output power, as well as spatial and/or spectral brightness when utilizing or combining a plurality of beam emitters.

Abstract: The present application describes a far-optical device having a basic body, at least one electrical load, and control electronics for controlling the electrical load. The control electronics being integrated in a detachable unit that is capable of being attached to and detached from the basic body of the far-optical device. When detachable unit is detached from the basic body, the control electronics can be programmed by the user via at least one operating element disposed on the detachable unit. This provides the user with the means to modify, restore, or extend the existing functions of the far-optical device. Thus, the far-optical device of the current application provides for a far-optical device with a high-level of user-friendliness.

Abstract: An improved technique balances a telescope from the viewpoint of the motors that drive the telescope's axes. A motor that controls movement along an axis of the telescope drives the telescope in one direction and then in the opposite direction. Motor current is measured while the motor is driving the telescope in each direction, and a difference in motor current is computed. The difference in motor current indicates the degree of imbalance of the telescope, which may be communicated to an operator to allow adjustments to the telescope to improve its balance.

Abstract: An optical magnifier has two light transmissive substrates with lenses on either side of each substrate and wherein the arrays of lenses are aligned such that an array of afocal optical magnifiers is produced. One of the arrays forming the array of afocal magnifiers has positive lenses and one of the arrays forming the array of afocal magnifiers has negative lenses. Two arrays of afocal magnifiers are combined to form a pair of magnifying glasses.

Abstract: A method of making a rifle scope that makes use of a longitudinal base plate piece and a mating, closure housing piece. Optical assemblies are attached to the longitudinal base plate and the mating, closure housing piece is attached to the longitudinal base plate and the housing piece and base plate are fastened together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for converting laser radiation (21) into laser radiation having an M profile, comprising separating means (34), which can separate the laser radiation (21) into at least two partial beams (22, 23) which, at least in some sections or partially, move in different directions or are arranged offset from one another, and optics means (38), which can introduce the at least two partial beams (22, 23) in a working plane and/or can, at least in some sections, superimpose the at least two partial beams (22, 23) in the working plane, wherein the separating means (34) comprise a lens array (39, 41) having at least two lenses (40, 42).

Abstract: A reflecting telescope optical system comprises, a main reflecting mirror, a sub reflecting mirror which is disposed at a position facing a reflecting surface of the main reflecting mirror, and a plurality of lens units which is disposed at a position facing a reflecting surface of the sub reflecting mirror. The reflecting surface of the main reflecting mirror is a concave surface, and a reflecting area is formed to be ring-shaped. The reflecting surface of the main reflecting mirror and the reflecting surface of the sub reflecting mirror are mutually facing. The first operation is a movement for focusing at an object positioned between infinity and a near position, and the second operation is a reciprocating movement for changing the focused state after focusing. An amount of movement in the first operation is larger than an amount of movement in the second operation.

Abstract: An automated adaptive optics and laser projection system is described. The automated adaptive optics and laser projection system includes an adaptive optics system and a compact laser projection system with related laser guidance programming used to correct atmospheric distortion induced on light received by a telescope. Control of the automated adaptive optics and laser projection system is designed in a modular manner in order to facilitate replication of the system to be used with a variety of different telescopes. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: An improved technique balances a telescope from the viewpoint of the motors that drive the telescope's axes. A motor that controls movement along an axis of the telescope drives the telescope in one direction and then in the opposite direction. Motor current is measured while the motor is driving the telescope in each direction, and a difference in motor current is computed. The difference in motor current indicates the degree of imbalance of the telescope, which may be communicated to an operator to allow adjustments to the telescope to improve its balance.

Abstract: An opto-mechanical deployable telescope includes a hub, at least one deployable multiple petal primary mirror mounted to the hub, a deployment assembly, and a deployment engine assembly. The deployment assembly is operable to move the at least one primary mirror between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployment engine assembly is operable to power the deployment assembly using stored mechanical energy. The deployment assembly includes a kinematic or semi-kinematic interface between the hub and the at least one primary mirror to hold petals of the at least one primary mirror in alignment relative to each other in the deployed position.

Abstract: A space telescope system includes, but is not limited to, a support platform configured to orbit astronomical object, a plurality of mirrors mounted to the support platform and spaced apart from one another, the plurality of mirrors being configured to reflect a plurality of focused beams, and a focal plane image combiner positioned to intersect the plurality of focused beams and configured to combine the plurality of focused beams to form a composite image.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems and components enable an enhanced direct-viewing optical device to make customized adjustments that accommodate various optical aberrations of a current user. In some instances a real-time adjustment of the transformable optical elements is based on known corrective optical parameters associated with a current user. In some implementations a control module may process currently updated wavefront measurements as a basis for determining appropriate real-time adjustment of the transformable optical elements to produce a specified change in optical wavefront at an exit pupil of the direct-viewing device. Possible transformable optical elements may have refractive and/or reflective and/or diffractive and/or transmissive characteristics that are adjusted based on current performance viewing factors for a given field of view of the direct-viewing device.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a telescope is automatically aligned without requiring user intervention and without requiring knowledge of actual local time or location. A mount model specifying a relationship between a telescope's internal coordinate system and a celestial coordinate system is generated using an arbitrary time, arbitrary telescope location, and a number of alignment reference points. A pointing error for the initial mount model is determined, for example using a plate solving technique to translate between plate coordinates and celestial coordinates for the alignment reference points. Time and location values are iteratively adjusted to reduce the pointing error until it is acceptably low. In one embodiment, adjustments are made by reference to a local sidereal time (LST) offset and/or a latitude value. In one embodiment, the iterative adjustment is performed using a two-phase methodology, including a coarse adjustment followed by a fine adjustment.

Abstract: A method for shooting a projectile weapon involves determining the inclination of a line of sight from a vantage point to a target and a line-of-sight range to the target, then predicting a trajectory parameter at the line-of-sight range, for a preselected projectile. Using the trajectory parameter, an equivalent horizontal range may then be determined, wherein the equivalent horizontal range is the range at which the trajectory parameter would be expected to occur if the projectile were shot from the vantage point toward a theoretical target located in a horizontal plane intersecting the vantage point. The equivalent horizontal range may be utilized to compensate for ballistic drop when shooting the projectile weapon. The method may be embodied in a handheld laser rangefinder including a memory for storing ballistic data. Systems for automatic hold over adjustment in a weapon aiming device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pair of binoculars includes: a pair of lens barrels in each of which a telescopic optical system including an objective lens and an eyepiece is held; a reticle that is provided between the objective lens and the eyepiece of one of the telescopic optical systems movably in an optical axis direction of the one of the telescopic optical systems; and an adjusting ring that moves the reticle in the optical axis direction by rotation operation to adjust a position of the reticle in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: An optical system includes a primary mirror of a positive-powered concave substantially paraboloidal configuration configured to reflect light incident thereupon; a secondary mirror of a negative-powered convex hyperboloidal configuration facing the primary mirror configured to receive the light reflected from the primary mirror and redirect the light reflected from the primary mirror; a positive-powered tertiary mirror configured to substantially reimage and reflect divergent light rays incident from the secondary mirror; and a powered quaternary mirror configured to receive the reimaged light rays from the tertiary mirror, and to relay the received reimaged light rays to a focal point.

Abstract: A telescope includes: a concave mirror reflecting light from an object; an image pickup element receiving light from the mirror; a compensation optical system for guiding light from the mirror to the image pickup element; a lens barrel integrally holding the image pickup element and the compensation optical system; and a drive mechanism for driving the lens barrel to change the angle of the optical axis of the compensation optical system with respect to the optical axis of the concave mirror.

Abstract: Optical systems are described that use one or more lasers to project images onto a screen or projection surface. The optical systems can be direct view optical systems or vision projection optical systems. The described systems reduce costs and power consumption compared to the use of optical systems that use LCD screens. In addition, the described optical systems permit the image to be displayed anywhere on the screen, which in turn allows the screen to have improved light transmission for enhanced target identification in the case of gun/weapon sights and other devices that are used for target recognition.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an optical system including an optical spectrometer, a first negative power mirror configured and arranged to receive radiation from a far-field object, a second positive power mirror configured and arranged to receive radiation reflected by the first negative power mirror, and a third positive power mirror configured and arranged to receive radiation reflected by the second positive mirror and to direct the radiation towards an entrance slit of the optical spectrometer.

Abstract: A device for in-situ thermal imager calibration having a rotatable lens curtain with an aperture for the lens of a thermal imager to observe a scene. The lens curtain includes a balancing weight and blocking portion having a thermally uniform interior calibration surface that is rotatably disposed such that when the UAS is in level flight, the lens views the scene through the aperture. When the UAS is laterally rotated about its flight path, the lens curtain maintains its absolute position relative to the Earth by virtue of the balance weight and the lens rotates within the lens curtain for viewing a thermally uniform interior surface for calibration.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods associated with an improved optical architecture. An optical telescope having a longitudinal axis is configured to allow a beam having a first wavelength to laterally transverse a telescope barrel along a first axis. An optical module directs and corrects the beam from the first axis to a second and third axis, and to a beam expander. The beam expander transmits a beam having a second wavelength through the optical telescope along the longitudinal axis. The optical architecture may be incorporated onto an on-gimbal component that is side-mounted to a gimbaled system, as a method of minimizing the operational burdens on the gimbaled system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for superimposing an image in the beam path of an aiming optics, having an at least partially transparent optical support element which is arranged in the beam path of the aiming optics and has at least one diffractive optical coupling element and at least one diffractive optical decoupling element, the at least one diffractive optical coupling element leading light of the image to be superimposed, which light is incident on said coupling element and is to be coupled in, through the optical support element to the at least one diffractive optical decoupling element for the purpose of superimposition with the beam path. The image to be superimposed is imaged into the beam path of the aiming optics by the at least one diffractive optical coupling element and the least one diffractive optical decoupling element.