Abstract: A method and apparatus involve collection of radiation with a radiation collector that allows entry of external radiation. The exterior of the collector has mutually exclusive first, second, third and fourth surface portions oriented so that they each effect total reflection of the majority of radiation within a waveband that impinges thereon while propagating within the collector. The first and second surface portions are spaced and approximately parallel. The third and fourth surface portions extend at a first angle with respect to each other, and respectively extend at second and third angles with respect to end portions of the first and second surface portions.

Abstract: A light-beam-scanning system includes two counter-rotating prism wheels. Each prism wheel has a set of prisms at its periphery, selected so that prisms of equal half-angle deflections are sequentially aligned. A light transceiver structure directs a light beam parallel to the rotational axes of the prism wheels and at a distance from the rotational axes so that the light beam passes through the aligned prisms. A prism-wheel drive is operable to drive the prism wheels in opposite rotational directions.

Abstract: An optical system with a tilted window. The novel optical system includes a first optical element for receiving an input signal and generating an output signal; a first window adapted to transmit the output signal, the first window being tilted at an angle relative to an axis normal to an optical axis of the system; and a second window adapted to compensate for the first window. In an illustrative embodiment, the first window is an input window of a camera adapted to detect the output signal and is tilted such that reflections from and within the window do not strike detector elements of the camera. In a preferred embodiment, the second window has similar thickness and optical properties as the first window, and is positioned in the optical path of the input signal, tilted at an angle designed to compensate for the first window.

Abstract: A reticle illumination system. The novel system includes a fluid material adapted to absorb incident energy and emit fluorescent light to illuminate a target surface, and a first light source for providing the incident energy to pump the fluid material. In an illustrative embodiment, the target surface is a prism surface upon which a reticle is disposed, and the fluid material is a cement or epoxy doped with a fluorescent dye or a suspension of nanodots. The fluorescent cement is applied to the target surface behind the reticle and has an index of refraction matching that of the prism. The system may also include one or more additional light sources that transmit light into the cement and illuminate the reticle either directly or by pumping the fluorescent cement.

Abstract: An optical system has an optical component with a curved surface and zero optical power. The optical system is configured so that the optical component is the first optical structure encountered by radiation entering the optical system from externally thereof. According to a different aspect, a method is provided for making an optical system that has an optical component with a surface, where the optical component is the first optical structure encountered by radiation entering the optical system from externally thereof. The method includes configuring the surface to be curved, and configuring the optical component to have zero optical power.

Abstract: A wavelength-conversion system includes a wavelength-conversion target that radiates an energy output when an energy input of a different wavelength is incident upon the wavelength-conversion target. An input structure directs the energy input of the input-energy wavelength to be incident upon the wavelength-conversion target. A target baseline temperature modifier either controllably heats or controllably cools the wavelength-conversion target independently of any heating or cooling effect of the energy input or the energy output. A detector is positioned so that the energy output of the output-energy wavelength emitted from the wavelength-conversion target is incident upon the detector.

Abstract: A weapon sight has an optical system that causes first radiation to propagate along a path of travel within the sight, and has a reticle generating portion that causes second radiation representing a reticle to propagate along the path of travel with the first radiation. The reticle generating portion includes a reticle illuminating portion that illuminates the reticle. The reticle illuminating portion includes a first light source having thereon a surface, light from the first light source passing through the surface and then illuminating the reticle. The reticle illuminating portion also includes a second light source spaced from the first light source, light from the second light source traveling toward the surface, being reflected and then illuminating the reticle.

Abstract: An optical system has an optical component with a curved surface and zero optical power. The optical system is configured so that the optical component is the first optical structure encountered by radiation entering the optical system from externally thereof. According to a different aspect, a method is provided for making an optical system that has an optical component with a surface, where the optical component is the first optical structure encountered by radiation entering the optical system from externally thereof. The method includes configuring the surface to be curved, and configuring the optical component to have zero optical power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve: using beam influencing structure to cause a converging beam of radiation to propagate along a first portion of a path of travel; supporting an optical part so that the path of travel extends through the optical part, the converging beam arriving at the optical part along the first portion of the path of travel, and the path of travel having a second portion along which the converging beam travels away from the optical part; and selectively tilting the optical part about a pivot axis lying in an imaginary plane extending transversely to the first portion of the path of travel, pivotal movement of the optical part about the pivot axis causing a change in the orientation of the second portion of the path of travel with respect to the first portion thereof.

Abstract: A light-beam-scanning system includes two counter-rotating prism wheels. Each prism wheel has a set of prisms at its periphery, selected so that prisms of equal half-angle deflections are sequentially aligned. A light transceiver structure directs a light beam parallel to the rotational axes of the prism wheels and at a distance from the rotational axes so that the light beam passes through the aligned prisms. A prism-wheel drive is operable to drive the prism wheels in opposite rotational directions.

Abstract: A path of travel for radiation extends to one optical element, then to another optical element, and then away from the latter. One of the optical elements is respectively reflective and non-reflective to radiation above and below a first wavelength, and the other is respectively reflective and non-reflective to radiation below and above a second wavelength. According to a different aspect, a path of travel for radiation extends to one of first and second optical elements, then to the other optical element, and then away from the latter. The first optical element is reflective and non-reflective to radiation on respective sides of a first wavelength, and the second optical element is reflective and non-reflective to radiation on respective sides of a second wavelength. The first optical element can tilt in relation to the path of travel to change the first wavelength.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve an optical element having a passband with a center wavelength, and filtering radiation having first and second portions that arrive along a path of travel extending to the optical element. The first portion includes radiation inside the passband, and the second portion includes radiation above and below the passband. The optical element transmits one of the first and second portions of the radiation therethrough, and reflects the other of the first and second portions of the radiation therefrom. The optical element is supported for a range of movement relative to the path of travel. As the optical element moves through the range of movement, the center wavelength changes.

Abstract: A light-beam-scanning system includes two counter-rotating prism wheels. Each prism wheel has a set of prisms at its periphery, selected so that prisms of equal half-angle deflections are sequentially aligned. A light transceiver structure directs a light beam parallel to the rotational axes of the prism wheels and at a distance from the rotational axes so that the light beam passes through the aligned prisms. A prism-wheel drive is operable to drive the prism wheels in opposite rotational directions.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a part has two reflective surfaces, one being a conic surface portion having an axis with a focus thereon, and the other being part of a spherical surface with a centerpoint at the focus. According to a different aspect, a method includes fabricating a part with first and second reflective surfaces, the first being a conic surface portion with an axis and a focus on the axis, and the second being a spherical surface portion with a centerpoint at the focus. The second surface is used to position the part so that the focus coincides with the centerpoint of a spherical wave from an interferometer. Then, a reflective further spherical surface portion on a member is used with the interferometer to position a centerpoint of the further surface at the focus. The interferometer then evaluates the first surface for accuracy.

Abstract: A reticle illumination system. The novel system includes a first light source adapted to output light toward a target surface and a material having a predetermined index of refraction disposed between the first light source and the target surface for coupling light from the first light source to the target surface. In an illustrative embodiment, the material is a glue or epoxy having an index of refraction matching that of the target surface, and the target surface is a prism surface upon which a reticle is disposed. The system also includes a second light source adapted to output light into the material such that the light is reflected and scattered off of an exit end of the fiber, and/or off of scattering centers distributed throughout the material, towards the target surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve: supporting an optical part for movement in relation to a first path of travel of radiation; moving the part successively to first and second positions in which radiation arriving along the first path of travel passes respectively through first and second sections of the part that provide respective different levels of refraction, the first and second sections causing radiation to thereafter travel along respective second and third paths of travel; and receiving at an output first and second portions of radiation respectively propagating along the second and third paths of travel, the first and second portions containing different amounts of optical energy.

Abstract: A path of travel for radiation extends to one optical element, then to another optical element, and then away from the latter. One of the optical elements is respectively reflective and non-reflective to radiation above and below a first wavelength, and the other is respectively reflective and non-reflective to radiation below and above a second wavelength. According to a different aspect, a path of travel for radiation extends to one of first and second optical elements, then to the other optical element, and then away from the latter. The first optical element is reflective and non-reflective to radiation on respective sides of a first wavelength, and the second optical element is reflective and non-reflective to radiation on respective sides of a second wavelength. The first optical element can tilt in relation to the path of travel to change the first wavelength.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involve: using beam influencing structure to cause a converging beam of radiation to propagate along a first portion of a path of travel; supporting an optical part so that the path of travel extends through the optical part, the converging beam arriving at the optical part along the first portion of the path of travel, and the path of travel having a second portion along which the converging beam travels away from the optical part; and selectively tilting the optical part about a pivot axis lying in an imaginary plane extending transversely to the first portion of the path of travel, pivotal movement of the optical part about the pivot axis causing a change in the orientation of the second portion of the path of travel with respect to the first portion thereof.

Abstract: An optical structure routes radiation from an optical input to an optical output, the radiation being successively reflected by orthogonal first, second and third reflective surfaces of a linearly movable section, and departing the section in a departure direction substantially opposite its arrival direction. The section can move approximately parallel to the arrival direction with respect to at least one of the optical input and optical output. A different aspect involves: routing radiation from an optical input to an optical output, including reflecting this radiation successively from orthogonal first, second and third reflective surfaces of a section of the structure, the radiation departing the section in a departure direction substantially opposite its arrival direction; and supporting the section for approximately linear movement approximately parallel to the arrival direction with respect to at least one of the optical input and optical output.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a part has two reflective surfaces, one being a conic surface portion having an axis with a focus thereon, and the other being part of a spherical surface with a centerpoint at the focus. According to a different aspect, a method includes fabricating a part with first and second reflective surfaces, the first being a conic surface portion with an axis and a focus on the axis, and the second being a spherical surface portion with a centerpoint at the focus. The second surface is used to position the part so that the focus coincides with the centerpoint of a spherical wave from an interferometer. Then, a reflective further spherical surface portion on a member is used with the interferometer to position a centerpoint of the further surface at the focus. The interferometer then evaluates the first surface for accuracy.