Abstract: A method for providing optical alignment for a visible wavelength reflective system is provided. The method includes positioning a first mirror blank on a lathe fixture. The first mirror blank comprises a single precision pinhole. The first mirror blank is secured to the lathe fixture. A first mirror is generated from the first mirror blank.

Abstract: A sensor assembly (10) includes first and second focusing mirrors (21, 22) which direct converging radiation to a tilted beam splitter (31) through an opening (23) provided in the first mirror. The beam splitter passes selected infrared radiation, which then passes through a lens system (33, 34, 41) to an infrared detector (16). The beam splitter reflects other radiation, which then passes through a different lens system (46, 56, 58, 61, 62, 67, 68, 69) to a second beam splitter (73). The second beam splitter passes laser light, which travels through a lens (77) to a laser light detector (18). The second beam splitter reflects near-infrared radiation, so that it travels to a further detector (17).

Abstract: A FLIR system having a refractive FLIR optical configuration including a substantially spherical housing and an optical window disposed in and extending to the outer housing surface. The window aperture diameter exceeds the housing radius and is a near dome-shaped, relatively high dispersive negative lens forming a part of the FLIR optical system and is disposed adjacent a positive relatively low dispersive lens. A first optical system extends to a first housing window for receiving light and is within a hemispherical housing portion comprises an afocal lens system of a first pair of lenses, one lens disposed at a housing wall, a first mirror disposed within the hemisphere and reflecting light passing through the first pair of lenses, a second mirror for receiving the light reflected from the first mirror and reflecting the light along a path parallel to the light impinging upon the first mirror and a further plurality of lenses for transmission of the light reflected from the second mirror.

Abstract: An infrared refractive lens triplet having color correcting properties for radiation within the 3 to 13 micrometer spectral band. In certain embodiments of the invention the triplet is capable of simultaneously focusing radiation in the 3-5 micrometer and the 8-12 micrometer atmospheric windows for imaging about a single focal plane. In these embodiments one lens comprises germanium and another is formed of materials selected from the group consisting of sulfides and selenides of zinc and combinations thereof. A third lens is a glass characterized by chromic properties corresponding approximately to40<V<46withV=(N.sub.D -1)/(N.sub.13 -N.sub.3),wherein:N.sub.D is the refractive index at 8 micrometers,N.sub.13 is the refractive index at 13 micrometers, andN.sub.3 is the refractive index at 3 micrometers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for modifying existing forward looking infrared systems and for forming new forward looking infrared systems. Generally, the system comprises a Galilean afocal system in combination with a reimaging afocal system. A reimaging afocal lens system is formed with at least first and second lenses and a plane for forming an image therebetween. A thermal reference source is positioned in the imaging plane of the reimaging system. The method for modifying an existing forward looking infrared imaging system includes positioning the reimaging system along the optical path of the system between the Galilean lens combination and the scanning device. According to a method for forming a forward looking infrared system an imaging lens system is arranged along an optical path in combination with a detector array to focus collimated radiation upon the detector array. The detector array subtends the field of view along a first direction.

Abstract: A radiation scanning system is used with a radiation detector that has a predefined aperture stop. A first relay lens disposed to form a first image of the radiation detector a predefined distance from the aperture stop and a second relay lens is located a predetermined distance from the first relay lens and disposed to form a second image of the radiation detector onto a line scanning apparatus. The line scanning apparatus includes a rotor having a plurality of reflective planar facets disposed uniformly around its circumference. Each of the reflective planar facet has a normal substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor. The rotor is interposed between the second relay lens and the second image of the radiation detector and has its axis of rotation intersecting the optical axis of the second relay lens and disposed in such a way that as the rotor is rotated the second image is caused to move in a substantially circular locus.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a wide spectral band objective refractive apochromatic lens system capable of operation with infrared light in the 3 to 12 micron range with good color correction simultaneously. The lens system includes three lenses, the first lens being positive and formed of Texas Instruments 1173 glass and the second and third lenses being negative and formed of germanium and zinc sulfide respectively. The germanium lens has a power approximately 0.44 that of the 1173 glass lens and the zinc sulfide lens has a power approximately 0.22 that of the 1173 glass lens.

Abstract: A time discrete digital reformattor reformats analog data from a detector system that includes a plurality of detectors. The time discrete digital reformattor includes a summing circuit, an input circuit in which a single input of the input circuit is connected to a single detector of the detector system, a first time discrete digital memory is electrically connected to receive outputs from the input circuit and a second time discrete digital memory is electrically connected to cooperate with the first time discrete digital memory and the summing circuit.

Abstract: A coaxial wideband refractive optical system is disclosed which permits the use of high resolution optical sensors and transmitters in the visible energy wavelengths centered at 0.5 microns to the 12 microns wavelength in the infrared energy band. The system includes a front objective lens of wideband transmitting material such as, for example, ZnS, ZnSe, GaAs, TI-1173 glass or Ge followed by a beamsplitter and two doublet lenses. The front objective lens, which may be a positive lens, can have large color dispersion characteristics (aberrations) not normally associated with front lenses. A front, solid wideband objective lens is provided for receiving incoming electromagnetic energy radiating at about 0.5 micron to about 12 microns wavelength in the infrared for reducing the size of the beam diameter; thus, the size of the beamsplitter and the elements of the infrared and visible optical paths formed by the beam splitter may be reduced.

Abstract: An optical flexure joint comprises first and second gimbal mounted lens doublets. The first doublet has a positive surface and the second a negative surface. Each lens doublet consists of two common glasses having index of refractions between about 1.4 and 1.9 that produce the same power as if they were a single lens having an index of refraction of 2.0. The first and second doublets when mounted with the positive and negative surfaces mating and the first doublet rotated with respect to the second form a wedge which has an optical deviation equal to the wedge angle; thus the optical flexure joint allows a small rotary motion to occur in an optical system perpendicular to the optical axis without any perceptable image motion.

Abstract: A laser beamrider guidance system having an improved launcher based laser transmitter subsystem for illuminating a laser beam receiver subsystem on-board a moving carrier is disclosed. The improved launcher based laser transmitter subsystem includes a boresight compensation mechanism having L-shaped x and y scan diode lasers and a synchronization laser, a rotating scanning means for producing two rotations of the laser beam images for each rotation of the scanning means, a zoom lens in the optical path of the x and y scan rotating lasers for focusing the laser beams within the maximum target range, a first beamsplitter for reflecting a portion of the x and y scan laser beams to a telescopic sight mechanism adapted to determine when the x and y scan laser beams cross the line of sight to target and activate a signal for activating the synchronization laser beam.