Abstract: A sensor assembly including a detector; a first arrangement for enhancing the resolution of the detector; and a second arrangement for increasing the field-of-view of the detector. In a specific implementation, the detector is a focal plane array of detectors, the first arrangement is a Hadamard mask and the second arrangement is a telescope array with a field-bias element operationally coupled thereto. The field bias optical element is implemented with a prism and grating such as a grism. An arrangement is included for actuating the mask to selectively enable a desired level of resolution and another arrangement is included for actuating the field bias element to select a desired field of view. An arrangement for effecting image motion compensation is included along with an imager, an image processor and a data processor. The telescope array may include refractive elements, reflective elements, and/or catadioptric elements. Likewise, the imager may be refractive, reflective and/or catadioptric.

Abstract: A common-aperture optical system includes a reflective telescope having a common boresight, an entrance pupil, an exit pupil, and a beam path extending from the entrance pupil to and beyond the exit pupil. A beam splitter intersects the beam path so that the beam path is incident upon the beam splitter. A light sensor is positioned to receive an input light beam traveling along the beam path after the beam path intersects the beam splitter and passes the exit pupil of the reflective telescope. A light source produces an output light beam incident upon the beam splitter and positioned to inject the output light beam into an inverse of the beam path and toward the entrance pupil of the reflective telescope. A diverger corrects at least one of the input light beam and the output light beam.

Abstract: An imaging optical system includes a subtelescope array, with at least two subtelescopes, each having a single entrance pupil and an exit light beam. Each subtelescope has an optical pointing axis, and the pointing axes for the subtelescopes are parallel. An imager forms an image from the exit light beams at an image surface, where there is a sensor such as a focal plane array. Preferably, a phase shifter array includes a phase shifter for each of the subtelescopes. The phase shifter array receives the exit light beam of each of the subtelescopes and has a capability to adjust the phase of at least one of the exit light beams. The imager receives the phase-shifted exit light beams.

Abstract: A phased-array light telescope includes at least two non-obscured light subtelescopes. Each of the light subtelescopes is aimed along a common boresight. The phased-array light telescope further includes a non-obscured combining imager that receives and combines the output beams of the light subtelescopes.

Abstract: A sensor assembly including a detector; a first arrangement for enhancing the resolution of the detector; and a second arrangement for increasing the field-of-view of the detector. In a specific implementation, the detector is a focal plane array of detectors, the first arrangement is a Hadamard mask and the second arrangement is a telescope array with a field-bias element operationally coupled thereto. The field bias optical element is implemented with a prism and grating such as a grism. An arrangement is included for actuating the mask to selectively enable a desired level of resolution and another arrangement is included for actuating the field bias element to select a desired field of view. An arrangement for effecting image motion compensation is included along with an imager, an image processor and a data processor. The telescope array may include refractive elements, reflective elements, and/or catadioptric elements. Likewise, the imager may be refractive, reflective and/or catadioptric.

Abstract: A phased-array light telescope includes at least two non-obscured light subtelescopes. Each of the light subtelescopes is aimed along a common boresight. The phased-array light telescope further includes a non-obscured combining imager that receives and combines the output beams of the light subtelescopes.

Abstract: A common-aperture optical system includes a reflective telescope having a common boresight, an entrance pupil, an exit pupil, and a beam path extending from the entrance pupil to and beyond the exit pupil. A beam splitter intersects the beam path so that the beam path is incident upon the beam splitter. A light sensor is positioned to receive an input light beam traveling along the beam path after the beam path intersects the beam splitter and passes the exit pupil of the reflective telescope. A light source produces an output light beam incident upon the beam splitter and positioned to inject the output light beam into an inverse of the beam path and toward the entrance pupil of the reflective telescope. A diverger corrects at least one of the input light beam and the output light beam.

Abstract: An imaging optical system includes a first imaging structure having a first optical axis and a first field of view, wherein the first imaging structure forms an image on a common focal plane, and a second imaging structure having a second optical axis parallel to the first optical axis and a second field of view different from the first field of view, wherein the second imaging structure forms an image on the common focal plane. The imaging structures preferably contain identical lens modules, most preferably identical Petzval lenses, and achromatic or apochromatic prisms of different spatial orientations. A planar sensor structure lies in the common focal plane, wherein the first optical axis and the second optical axis pass through the planar sensor structure.

Abstract: A small, compact optical scanning system with small aperture size requirements, wide field-of-regard and minimal color dispersion characteristics. The inventive scanning system and method provides for optical beam steering over a broad spectral band and over a wide field-of-regard. The inventive system includes a novel device for receiving an input wavefront of electromagnetic energy along a first axis and refracting the wavefront as an output wavefront along a second axis. The device is a unique form of a multi-channel liquid crystal array in which each channel has a length parallel to the first axis. By applying signals to change the refractive index of each channel, the incident wavefront can be steered at an angle with respect to the first axis and otherwise manipulated according to the index variant pattern induced in the array. Accordingly, the output beam is steered in response to the applied signals.

Abstract: A small, compact optical scanning system with small aperture size requirements, wide field-of-regard and minimal color dispersion characteristics. The inventive scanning system and method provides for optical beam steering over a broad spectral band and over a wide field-of-regard. The inventive system includes a novel device for receiving an input wavefront of electromagnetic energy along a first axis and refracting the wavefront as an output wavefront along a second axis. The device is a unique form of a multi-channel liquid crystal array in which each channel has a length parallel to the first axis. By applying signals to change the refractive index of each channel, the incident wavefront can be steered at an angle with respect to the first axis and otherwise manipulated according to the index variant pattern induced in the array. Accordingly, the output beam is steered in response to the applied signals.

Abstract: A small,compact optical scanning system with small aperture size requirements, wide field-of-regard and minimal color dispersion characteristics. The inventive scanning system and method provides for optical beam steering over a broad spectral band and over a wide field-of-regard. The inventive system includes a novel device for receiving an input wavefront of electromagnetic energy along a first axis and refracting the wavefront as an output wavefront along a second axis. The device is a unique form of a liquid crystal array which can be electrically manipulated to change the effective refractive index of each pixel. The index of refraction of the device varies in response to an applied voltage. The voltage is supplied by a microprocessor and/or a servo-control system. By changing the index, the incident phase front can be steered at an angle with respect to the first axis and otherwise manipulated according to the index variant pattern induced in the array.

Abstract: An optical system includes a window, an optical corrector formed of a curved piece of a transparent material having a front surface and a back surface, and a sensor system with a sensor positioned such that the optical corrector is between the window and the sensor. At least one of the front surface and the back surface of the optical corrector is a segment of a convex aspheric curve rotated about a center, otherwise known as a torus.

Abstract: Very compact, high numerical aperture, high resolution, ultra-wide field of view concentric optical apparatus. The concentric optical apparatus comprises a concentric lens and a focal surface array disposed along a focal surface of the concentric shell outer lens. The optical apparatus may further comprise an image intensifier tube optically coupled to the concentric lens by way of a curved fiber optic relay having an input surface that is concentrically disposed with respect to the concentric lens. The optical apparatus may also comprise a dewar that houses the focal surface array, and wherein the concentric lens comprises a cold stop for the focal surface array.

Abstract: A very compact, high numerical aperture, high resolution, ultra-wide field of view concentric scanning optical sensor. The concentric scanning optical sensor includes a scanning half ball lens having a flat reflective rear surface, outer and inner shell lenses, and a linear focal surface array. The outer shell lens and linear inner shell lens are concentrically disposed about the center of the scanning half ball lens. The linear focal surface array is disposed along a focal surface of the inner shell lens. The scanning optical sensor may also use a full spherical ball with multiple reflecting surfaces to allow for multiple facet scanning.