Abstract: A method of using an imaging system including a focal plane with one or more detectors, a lens optically coupled to the focal plane, a transparent plate optically coupled to the focal plane and lens, and an actuator coupled to the transparent plate, includes receiving, at a first area of the focal plane through the lens, light from an object at a first time. The imaging system is located in a first position relative to the object at the first time. The method also includes causing the actuator to move the transparent plate in response to movement of the imaging system relative to the object and receiving, at the first area of the focal plane through the lens, light from the object at a second time. The imaging system is located in a second position relative to the object at the second time.

Abstract: A method of using an imaging system including a focal plane with one or more detectors, a lens optically coupled to the focal plane, a transparent plate optically coupled to the focal plane and lens, and an actuator coupled to the transparent plate, includes receiving, at a first area of the focal plane through the lens, light from an object at a first time. The imaging system is located in a first position relative to the object at the first time. The method also includes causing the actuator to move the transparent plate in response to movement of the imaging system relative to the object and receiving, at the first area of the focal plane through the lens, light from the object at a second time. The imaging system is located in a second position relative to the object at the second time.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a body, a stage coupled to the body, and a focal plane array including one or more detectors and coupled to the stage. The imaging system also includes a lens assembly including an objective lens and a rear lens group. The lens assembly is coupled to the body and optically coupled to the focal plane. The imaging system further includes a transparent plate coupled to the body and optically coupled to the objective lens and the focal plane array. The transparent plate is disposed between the objective lens and the focal plane array. Additionally, the imaging system includes an actuator coupled to the transparent plate and configured to rotate the transparent plate relative to an optical axis of the imaging system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a wider FOV for a telescope system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a telescope includes a primary mirror having an orifice, where an optical path originates from an object positioned in front of the primary mirror and reflects off the primary mirror. A secondary mirror is disposed adjacent to the primary mirror, where the optical path reflects off the secondary mirror and passes through the orifice in the primary mirror. The telescope includes a set of extended field corrector optics disposed along the optical path, the extended field corrector optics positioned to reflect light incident from the secondary mirror, where the set of extended field corrector optics includes two corrector mirrors. A tertiary mirror is disposed along the optical path and adjacent to the extended field corrector optics, the tertiary mirror positioned to reflect the light incident from the extended field corrector optics.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a body, a stage coupled to the body, and a focal plane array including one or more detectors and coupled to the stage. The imaging system also includes a lens assembly including an objective lens and a rear lens group. The lens assembly is coupled to the body and optically coupled to the focal plane. The imaging system further includes a transparent plate coupled to the body and optically coupled to the objective lens and the focal plane array. The transparent plate is disposed between the objective lens and the focal plane array. Additionally, the imaging system includes an actuator coupled to the transparent plate and configured to rotate the transparent plate relative to an optical axis of the imaging system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a wider FOV for a telescope system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a telescope includes a primary mirror having an orifice, where an optical path originates from an object positioned in front of the primary mirror and reflects off the primary mirror. A secondary mirror is disposed adjacent to the primary mirror, where the optical path reflects off the secondary mirror and passes through the orifice in the primary mirror. The telescope includes a set of extended field corrector optics disposed along the optical path, the extended field corrector optics positioned to reflect light incident from the secondary mirror, where the set of extended field corrector optics comprises two corrector mirrors. A tertiary mirror is disposed along the optical path and adjacent to the extended field corrector optics, the tertiary mirror positioned to reflect the light incident from the extended field corrector optics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a wider FOV for a telescope system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a telescope includes a primary mirror having an orifice, where an optical path originates from an object positioned in front of the primary mirror and reflects off the primary mirror. A secondary mirror is disposed adjacent to the primary mirror, where the optical path reflects off the secondary mirror and passes through the orifice in the primary mirror. The telescope includes a set of extended field corrector optics disposed along the optical path, the extended field corrector optics positioned to reflect light incident from the secondary mirror, where the set of extended field corrector optics includes two corrector mirrors. A tertiary mirror is disposed along the optical path and adjacent to the extended field corrector optics, the tertiary mirror positioned to reflect the light incident from the extended field corrector optics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a wider FOV for a telescope system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a telescope includes a primary mirror having an orifice, where an optical path originates from an object positioned in front of the primary mirror and reflects off the primary mirror. A secondary mirror is disposed adjacent to the primary mirror, where the optical path reflects off the secondary mirror and passes through the orifice in the primary mirror. The telescope includes a set of extended field corrector optics disposed along the optical path, the extended field corrector optics positioned to reflect light incident from the secondary mirror, where the set of extended field corrector optics comprises two corrector mirrors. A tertiary mirror is disposed along the optical path and adjacent to the extended field corrector optics, the tertiary mirror positioned to reflect the light incident from the extended field corrector optics.

Abstract: A collimating lens (10) is constructed of a lens assembly having a first lens set (12, 14) at a first end of the assembly and a second lens set (20) at a second end of the assembly with a doublet (16, 18) disposed between the first lens set and the second lens set. The first lens set includes a plurality of lens elements (12, 14) each of which has positive optical power. The second lens set has a single lens element (26) of positive optical power and a concave surface (40) facing subject matter to be viewed by the collimating lens. The doublet lens element includes a lens element (16) constructed of flint glass and having a negative optical power plus a lens element (18) constructed of crown glass and having a positive optical power. In the doublet lens element, the negative power lens element has two concave surfaces, the positive-power lens element has two convex surfaces, and the two lens elements are cemented together to provide for a broad-band chromatic correction.

Abstract: An infrared refractive reimaging afocal telescope (10) has an objective lens group (12), an eyepiece lens group (14), and a switching lens group (16). The system (10) provides a plurality of magnification modes in a compact arrangement. The system (10) utilizes lenses (40, 42, 44, 46) with diffractive surfaces to provide for magnification changes and chromatic aberration correction. The system provides for excellent image quality in all modes using a minimum number of lens elements.