Abstract: An imaging system on which a calibration method is practiced includes: a light source; a substrate for supporting an object; a patterning mask that generates a substantially periodic spatial pattern on the object; a phase shifter that adjusts the relative position of the patterning mask and object to shift the position of the pattern on the object; a detector that detects images of the object; and an analyzer that analyzes at least three images of the object, each of which represents a different spatial shift of the pattern, the analyzer being configured to remove the spatial pattern from the images to generate an optically sectioned image of the object. The calibration method includes: calibrating the position of the mask relative to the substrate via a phase-voltage technique; calibrating the position of the mask relative to the substrate via a merit function technique; and operating the calibrated imaging system.

Abstract: A telecentric zoom lens having telecentric forming aperture optically and preferably mechanically intermediate an objective lens and a zoom group. The aperture is fixed along an optical axis and selected to provide a constant speed on an image side of the lens system. The location of the aperture relative to the zoom group maintains telecentricity of the lens in object space.

Abstract: A telecentric zoom lens having telecentric forming aperture optically and preferably mechanically intermediate an objective lens and a zoom group. The aperture is fixed along an optical axis and selected to provide a constant speed on an image side of the lens system. The location of the aperture relative to the zoom group maintains telecentricity of the lens in object space.

Abstract: A multiple lens element macrolens system operative as a single lens has a high light transmission value and a wide field of view of an object to be viewed. The macrolens system provides a long object working distance and an extended back focal distance to an image plane. An object group of lens elements is spaced by a substantial axial gap from an image group of lens elements. The gap and the working and back focal distances facilitate inclusion of various auxiliary components into an optical instrument which incorporates the macrolens system.

Abstract: Radial gradient index of refraction (GRIN) optical relays for overcorrecting axial chromatic aberration and a method for their manufacture are described. A relay including a radial GRIN rod in combination with a holographic optical element, or simple homogeneous or GRIN lenses, is described for adjusting axial chromatic and monochromatic aberrations, including spherical, coma, astigmatism, and distortion. The invention also describes remote viewing scopes, such as endoscopes and borescopes, which utilize said relays for achromatic, and reduced or corrected monochromatic aberration imaging. The use of segmented said relays provides a slight degree of flexibility in certain remote viewing scopes. A method for producing an exemplary negative dispersion GRIN lens is disclosed.

Abstract: Radial gradient index of refraction (GRIN) optical relays are described for overcorrecting axial chromatic aberration. In particular, a relay including a negative dispersion radial GRIN rod alone or in combination with simple homogeneous or GRIN lenses is described for adjusting axial chromatic and monochromatic aberrations, including spherical, coma, astigmatism, and distortion. The invention also describes remote viewing scopes, such as endoscopes and borescopes, which utilize GRIN relays for achromatic, and reduced or corrected monochromatic aberration imaging The use of segmented GRIN relays provides a degree of flexibility in remote viewing scopes.

Abstract: A composite gradient index and curved surface anamorphic lens has a gradient index of refraction and at least one curved surface. Combinations of planar and radial gradients with spherical and cylindrical surfaces are described. A corrector for an light source whose beam divergences are different in orthogonal planes using such a lens and a light beam scanning mechanism are disclosed. In the light beam scanning system, a homogeneous toroidal lens is replaced by a toroidal equivalent gradient-index lens, hereafter referred to as a TEGIL. The lens reduces undesirable displacement of the focus light beam from a scan line on a receptor plane and from the receptor plane itself. The TEGIL comprises a body of gradient-index material having cylindrical faces for generating optical power in a first dimension and whose gradient-index generates optical power in an orthogonal dimension.