Abstract: An optical sight includes an optical train with a reticle having a reticle substrate, and a reticle relief pattern in the reticle substrate having a relief surface oriented so that the relief surface faces an output end of the optical sight. A layer of a barrier material that is opaque to visible light is deposited upon the relief surface. There is a wavelength-converting material within the reticle relief pattern that converts a non-visible excitation wavelength to visible light. A light source of the non-visible excitation wavelength controllably illuminates the wavelength-converting material. The optical train prevents the non-visible wavelength from propagating out of the input end of the optical train.

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: 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: 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, and the reticle illuminating portion includes a light source and a lens portion. Light from the light source passes through the lens portion, and then illuminates the reticle.

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 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 sight has an optical train defining an optical path and having at least one optical element. The optical train includes as an optical element a reticle having a reticle pattern defined by a quantum-dot light emitter that is excited by light of an excitation wavelength and emits light in a visible wavelength, and a light source producing an output light of the excitation wavelength positioned to direct the output light to be incident upon the quantum-dot light emitter.

Abstract: An optical sight includes an optical train with a reticle having a reticle substrate, and a reticle relief pattern in the reticle substrate having a relief surface oriented so that the relief surface faces an output end of the optical sight. A layer of a barrier material that is opaque to visible light is deposited upon the relief surface. There is a wavelength-converting material within the reticle relief pattern that converts a non-visible excitation wavelength to visible light. A light source of the non-visible excitation wavelength controllably illuminates the wavelength-converting material. The optical train prevents the non-visible wavelength from propagating out of the input end of the optical train.

Abstract: A telescope has a primary light mirror structure including a central base, and a concave primary mirror having a central opening in which the central base is received and extending radially outwardly from the central opening. The concave primary mirror has an inner margin adjacent to the central opening. A secondary light mirror structure includes a secondary mirror having a center and an outer periphery. The secondary mirror faces the concave primary mirror and the central base of the primary light mirror structure. A spider support extends between the inner margin of the concave primary mirror and the center of the secondary mirror facing the central base. The spider support does not extend to the outer periphery of the secondary mirror. The spider support has openings therethrough to permit light rays to pass between the secondary mirror and the central base of the primary light mirror structure.

Abstract: A primary mirror 22 defines an active concave surface 24, a first planar 40 and a first concave 42 alignment surfaces, each facing an active surface 30 defined by a secondary mirror 28. The secondary mirror also defines a second planar 46 a second concave 48 alignment surfaces, each opposite the active surface 30. Alignment beams 64, 66, 68, 70 are reflected from each of the four alignment surfaces, which all face the same direction, to adjust the mirrors. The first planar alignment surface is used to adjust tip and tilt of the primary mirror; the first concave alignment surface is used to position a retro reflector 50 relative to the primary mirror; the second planar alignment surface is used to adjust tip and tilt of the second mirror, and the second concave alignment surface is used to adjust the second mirror in the x, y and z direction relative to the first mirror. The apparatus and method are described for two and three mirror telescopes.

Abstract: An optical element is fabricated and inspected by forming a spherical-segment surface in a light-transparent blank at a first end thereof with a spherical-segment center on an element axis of the light-transparent blank. A trial parabolic surface is formed in a lateral surface of the light-transparent blank with a trial-surface parabolic focus coincident with the spherical segment center. The trial parabolic surface is inspected by directing a source light beam from a light source through the light-transparent blank parallel to the element axis and against the trial parabolic surface, whereupon a reflected light beam reflects back substantially parallel to the source light beam but oppositely directed to the source light beam. The reflected light beam is optically interfered with the source light beam to produce an interference pattern.

Abstract: An optical zoom lens mechanism is arranged along an optical axis and produces a zooming effect by a transverse movement of transparent elements perpendicular to the optical axis. A first lens group has two adjacent, rotationally nonsymmetric transparent first optical lens plates that are each rotationally nonsymmetric relative to the optical axis, and a first-group drive is operable to move the first optical lens plates together and relative to each other in a first-movement radial direction relative to the optical axis. A second lens group has two adjacent, rotationally nonsymmetric transparent second optical lens plates that are each rotationally nonsymmetric relative to the optical axis, and a second-group drive is operable to move the second optical lens plates together and relative to each other in a second-movement radial direction relative to the optical axis.

Abstract: An optical bench for processing laser light in a laser system, including an optical bench housing, a beam dump mounted to the optical bench housing so as to be in optical communication therewith, steering optics mounted within the optical bench housing for directing the laser light in a path from a laser light input to an output, and a mechanism for causing the laser light to deviate from the path and be directed into the beam dump upon recognition of a specified condition in the laser system, wherein the laser light is thermally isolated from the steering optics. The mechanism can either cause at least one optically reflective element to be inserted into the path, cause at least one optical element of the steering optics to have a change in position with respect to the path, and/or causes at least one optical element of the steering optics to be removed from the path.

Abstract: An optical bench for processing laser light in a laser system, including an optical bench housing, a beam dump mounted to the optical bench housing so as to be in optical communication therewith, steering optics mounted within the optical bench housing for directing the laser light in a path from a laser light input to an output, and a mechanism for causing the laser light to deviate from the path and be directed into the beam dump upon recognition of a specified condition in the laser system, wherein the laser light is thermally isolated from the steering optics. The mechanism can either cause at least one optically reflective element to be inserted into the path, cause at least one optical element of the steering optics to have a change in position with respect to the path, and/or causes at least one optical element of the steering optics to be removed from the path.

Abstract: An air-gap optical structure is fabricated by depositing a metallic spacer structure on a first transmissive optical element, and then contacting a second transmissive optical element to the spacer structure so that the spacer structure lies between the first transmissive optical element and the second transmissive optical element and defines an air gap therebetween. A first layer of the spacer structure contacts the first transmissive optical element, and a second layer of the spacer structure contacts the first layer. The first layer is preferably deposited by vapor deposition and is relatively thin, and the second layer is preferably electroless deposited and is relatively thick. The total thickness of the spacer structure is typically from about 5 to about 15 micrometers.

Abstract: A number of optical devices are fabricated by forming a pattern of channels on a first side of a substrate to define a plurality of mesas on the first side of the substrate. A thin-film optical structure is deposited onto each of the mesas. An excess thickness of the substrate is removed from each thin-film optical device, preferably by temporarily affixing a temporary support to the tops of each thin-film optical structure, removing an excess amount of the substrate from a second side of the substrate so that the thin-film optical devices are isolated from each other but affixed to the temporary support, and separating the tops of the thin-film optical structures from the temporary support.

Abstract: A structure (22) is located relative to a reference surface (26a, 42) using an optical target (28) affixed to the structure (22) and having a reflective angular-reference hologram (30) thereon with an effective angular orientation. An alignment light beam (38) is directed perpendicular to the reference surface (26a, 42) and incident upon the angular-reference hologram (30) on the optical target (28), and a signal return of the alignment light beam (38) is received at a measurement location. The angular orientation of the structure (22) is adjusted to achieve a signal return of the alignment light beam (38) corresponding to an alignment of the alignment light beam (38) to the effective angular orientation of the reflective angular-reference hologram (30). Multiple reflective angular-reference holograms (30) may be spatially superimposed upon each other in the optical target (28) or spatially separated from each other on the optical target (28).

Abstract: An optical bench for processing laser light in a laser system, including an optical bench housing, steering optics mounted within the optical bench housing for directing the laser light in a path from a laser light input to an output, and a first mechanism for monitoring power output of the laser light regardless of shifts in wavelength of the laser light. The steering optics includes a sampling filter mounted to the optical bench housing and positioned in the path of the laser light, wherein a first portion of the laser light is reflected to the output and a second portion of the laser light is transmitted to the first mechanism.

Abstract: An interferometric testing system for testing an optical system includes an interferometer which outputs a light beam and analyzes the returned light beam, and a multiple plane reference mirror which reflects the light beam corresponding to the image point transmitted by the optical system back through the optical system to thereby generate the interference. According to one aspect of the invention, the multiple plane reference mirror reflects the light beam back along the arrival path of the light beam. According to another aspect of the invention, the multiple plane reference mirror comprises a holographic multiple plane reference mirror. The interferometric testing method is also described.