Abstract: A detector assembly includes a dewar chamber having an aperture and an infrared radiation detector. The detector assembly also includes a mirror disposed adjacent the aperture of the dewar chamber, where the mirror has a reflective surface and an emitting region facing the aperture. The infrared radiation detector is configured to detect first radiation and second radiation from the mirror. The first radiation originates from at least one relatively cold surface in the dewar chamber and reflects off the reflective surface of the mirror. The second warm radiation originates from at least one relatively warm surface at or behind the emitting region. The infrared radiation detector is also configured to detect an artifact caused by a particle in the dewar chamber that blocks a portion of the first or second radiation.

Abstract: An offset aperture two-axis gimbaled optical system comprises a two-axis gimbal and an optics assembly that is mounted on the inner gimbal and offset radially from the rotation axis of the outer gimbal. The optics assembly is suitably offset so that its optical aperture does not overlap the rotation axis of the outer gimbal and its optical aperture is symmetric about the rotation axis of the inner gimbal. In different applications, the offset aperture provides for reduced optical aberrations and improved utilization of the available packaging volume to accommodate multiple offset aperture optics assemblies.

Abstract: An offset aperture gimbaled optical system comprises a gimbal and an optics assembly that is mounted on an inner gimbal and offset radially from an axis of symmetry (and rotation axis) of a conformal dome. An optical corrector adjacent the inner surface of the conformal dome encompasses the field-of-view of the optics assembly as the inner gimbal rotates about its rotation axis. The corrector is fixed with respect to the inner gimbal's rotation axis while it rotates about the axis of symmetry. The optical corrector comprises an aspheric transparent arch having an optical corrector shape and position responsive to a shape of the conformal dome at the offset position of the optics assembly. In different applications, the offset aperture provides for reduced optical aberrations and improved utilization of the available packaging volume to accommodate multiple offset aperture optics assemblies.

Abstract: A multiple field-of-view telescope and optical sensor system and imaging methods using the system. In one example, an optical sensor system includes a primary imaging detector having a first field of view, a telescope configured to receive and focus electromagnetic radiation onto the primary imaging detector along a primary optical axis, a secondary detector having a second field of view different from the first field of view, and relay optics configured to direct and focus a portion of the electromagnetic radiation onto the secondary detector. In certain examples, the system further includes a fold mirror positioned to reflect the portion of the electromagnetic radiation to the relay optics.

Abstract: A multiple field-of-view telescope and optical sensor system and imaging methods using the system. In one example, an optical sensor system includes a primary imaging detector having a first field of view, a telescope configured to receive and focus electromagnetic radiation onto the primary imaging detector along a primary optical axis, a secondary detector having a second field of view different from the first field of view, and relay optics configured to direct and focus a portion of the electromagnetic radiation onto the secondary detector. In certain examples, the system further includes a fold mirror positioned to reflect the portion of the electromagnetic radiation to the relay optics.

Abstract: An offset aperture two-axis gimbaled optical system comprises a two-axis gimbal and an optics assembly that is mounted on the inner gimbal and offset radially from the rotation axis of the outer gimbal. The optics assembly is suitably offset so that its optical aperture does not overlap the rotation axis of the outer gimbal and its optical aperture is symmetric about the rotation axis of the inner gimbal. In different applications, the offset aperture provides for reduced optical aberrations and improved utilization of the available packaging volume to accommodate multiple offset aperture optics assemblies.

Abstract: An offset aperture gimbaled optical system comprises a gimbal and an optics assembly that is mounted on an inner gimbal and offset radially from an axis of symmetry (and rotation axis) of a conformal dome. An optical corrector adjacent the inner surface of the conformal dome encompasses the field-of-view of the optics assembly as the inner gimbal rotates about its rotation axis. The corrector is fixed with respect to the inner gimbal's rotation axis while it rotates about the axis of symmetry. The optical corrector comprises an aspheric transparent arch having an optical corrector shape and position responsive to a shape of the conformal dome at the offset position of the optics assembly. In different applications, the offset aperture provides for reduced optical aberrations and improved utilization of the available packaging volume to accommodate multiple offset aperture optics assemblies.

Abstract: Asymmetric rotating stray light baffles are provided for conformal dome two-axis seekers having arch corrector optics mounted on the outer gimbal. A pair of side skirt baffles are mounted on opposite sides of the arch corrector optics on the outer gimbal extending forward beyond the transparent arch adjacent but not touching the inner surface of the dome and extending aft beyond the forward most receiver optic for all fields of regard (FOR).

Abstract: Asymmetric rotating stray light baffles are provided for conformal dome two-axis seekers having arch corrector optics mounted on the outer gimbal. A pair of side skirt baffles are mounted on opposite sides of the arch corrector optics on the outer gimbal extending forward beyond the transparent arch adjacent but not touching the inner surface of the dome and extending aft beyond the forward most receiver optic for all fields of regard (FOR).

Abstract: A mount between an optical element and a housing includes an optical element that has an optical element mount with plural optical element mounting pads and an optical element connecting surface that links the optical element mounting pads together. The housing includes a housing mount that has plural housing mounting pads and a housing connecting surface that links the housing mounting pads together. The optical element mount and the housing mount are mounted to one another such that the only contact between the optical element and the housing is between the mounting pads of each respective element.

Abstract: A mount between an optical element and a housing includes an optical element that has an optical element mount with plural optical element mounting pads and an optical element connecting surface that links the optical element mounting pads together. The housing includes a housing mount that has plural housing mounting pads and a housing connecting surface that links the housing mounting pads together. The optical element mount and the housing mount are mounted to one another such that the only contact between the optical element and the housing is between the mounting pads of each respective element.