Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a wide angle multi-color infrared (IR) optical system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system is provided that comprises a negative lens configured to receive an incoming light beam scene over a wide FOV and a beam splitter configured to receive incoming light beam associated with the incoming light beam scene from the negative lens and to provide light beams of a first color to a first channel and to provide light beams of a second color to a second channel. The system further comprises a first positive lens assembly arranged to focus light beams of the first color received from the beam splitter on a first image detector, and a second positive lens assembly arranged to focus light beams of the second color received from the beam splitter on a second image detector.

Abstract: A process and an arrangement are described by means of which a plurality of ray bundles emitted from individual radiation sources are combined with the aid of an imaging optics system. The individual radiation sources are in this connection arranged on at least one curve surrounding the optical axis of the imaging optics system. The individual ray bundles are substantially linearly polarised. The bundles are reflected on their path to the superimposition point at least at a surface whose reflection capability is polarisation-dependent. The polarisation direction of the ray bundles coming from the individual radiation sources is in this connection aligned so that the first reflection at the surface takes place with low loss, whereas a possible second reflection after previous reflection at the workpiece takes place with high loss. In this way the individual radiation sources are protected against damaging back-reflections.

Abstract: Optical apparatus for projecting a line of light includes a diode-laser bar having a plurality of individual emitters, input and output microlens arrays, a lens and other optical elements. The diode-laser bar, the microlens arrays, and the lens are configured and arranged such that the microlens arrays form three or more slow-axis intermediate near-field images of each emitter in a plane immediately adjacent the output microlens array, and in a telecentric arrangement with the lens. The lens and the optical elements project overlapping elongated far-field images of the intermediate near-field images to form the line of light.