Abstract: A low parallax imaging device includes a dome defining an interior volume in which a plurality of imaging lens elements are disposed. The dome includes a first outer optical element associated with a first of the imaging lens elements and a second outer optical element associated with a second of the imaging lens elements. Facets are provided at seams in the dome between the first outer optical element and the second outer optical element.

Abstract: A lens form for a low parallax imaging device includes a plurality of imaging lens elements arranged to capture and image polygonal fields of view. The lens form includes a compression lens element group and a wide-angle lens element group.

Abstract: A low-parallax multi-camera imaging system may enable combination of images from multiple camera channels into a panoramic image. In some examples, the imaging system may be designed to include small areas of overlap between adjacent camera channels. Panoramic images may be generated by compositing image data from multiple camera channels by using techniques described herein. In some examples, contribution of each camera channel may be weighted based on factors such as distances relative to an overlap region or content within the overlap region.

Abstract: A low parallax imaging device includes a plurality of imaging lens elements arranged to capture adjacent fields of view. In some examples, adjacent imaging lens elements may contact at datum features to maintain a desired spacing. The spacing may allow for partial overlapping of low-parallax volumes associated with the respective imaging lens elements.

Abstract: A low parallax imaging device includes a plurality of imaging lens elements arranged to capture adjacent fields of view. In some examples, adjacent imaging lens elements may contact at datum features to maintain a desired spacing. The spacing may allow for partial overlapping of low-parallax volumes associated with the respective imaging lens elements.

Abstract: A low parallax imaging device includes a plurality of imaging lens elements arranged to capture adjacent fields of view. In some examples, adjacent imaging lens elements may contact at datum features to maintain a desired spacing. The spacing may allow for partial overlapping of low-parallax volumes associated with the respective imaging lens elements.

Abstract: This application generally describes an imaging system, such as a multi-camera imaging system. The imaging system can include a plurality of channels and individual of the channels can include an objective lens and a relay optical system. The object lens images received light on a first image plane, as a first image, and the relay optical system images the first image on a second image plane, as a second, magnified image. In examples, the object lens and the relay optical system make up an optically coherent system.

Abstract: A low parallax imaging device includes a dome defining an interior volume in which a plurality of imaging lens elements are disposed. The dome includes a first outer optical element associated with a first of the imaging lens elements and a second outer optical element associated with a second of the imaging lens elements. Facets are provided at seams in the dome between the first outer optical element and the second outer optical element.

Abstract: A low parallax imaging device includes a plurality of imaging lens elements arranged to capture adjacent fields of view. In some examples, adjacent imaging lens elements may contact at datum features to maintain a desired spacing. The spacing may allow for partial overlapping of low-parallax volumes associated with the respective imaging lens elements.

Abstract: A lens form for a low parallax imaging device includes a plurality of imaging lens elements arranged to capture adjacent fields of view. The imaging lens elements include a plurality of lens element groups for directing incident light to an imaging plane. The lens elements control a distance between an entrance pupil located behind the image plane and a low parallax point to reduce parallax errors between adjacent of the imaging lens elements.

Abstract: Optical systems are provided that include illumination sources, micro-mirror array optical modulators, and an optical element. The micro-mirror array optical modulators can selectively modulate light beams, redirect light by diffraction and reflection, and provide an output modulated light beam that exhibits a diffraction handedness dependent on the spectral bandwidth of the light incident thereupon. The optical element has a color dependent aperture that defines portions of output modulated light beams that are transmitted and remaining portions that are blocked. An efficiency and contrast of each the output modulated light beams acquired by the optical element can be independently determined by a narrow spectral bandwidth of each of the light beams, the spectral characteristics of the color dependent aperture, and the diffraction handedness of the micro-mirror array optical modulators for the associated spectral bandwidth.

Abstract: Optical systems are provided that include illumination sources, micro-mirror array optical modulators, and an optical element. The micro-mirror array optical modulators can selectively modulate light beams, redirect light by diffraction and reflection, and provide an output modulated light beam that exhibits a diffraction handedness dependent on the spectral bandwidth of the light incident thereupon. The optical element has a color dependent aperture that defines portions of output modulated light beams that are transmitted and remaining portions that are blocked. An efficiency and contrast of each the output modulated light beams acquired by the optical element can be independently determined by a narrow spectral bandwidth of each of the light beams, the spectral characteristics of the color dependent aperture, and the diffraction handedness of the micro-mirror array optical modulators for the associated spectral bandwidth.

Abstract: An optical system includes a primary lens group having a central beam path therethrough and including a front lens group and a rear lens group. An anamorphic lens group lies on the central beam path and is positioned between the front lens group and the rear lens group. The anamorphic lens group includes at least one optically powered anamorphic lens that has different enlargements of a light beam along different axes perpendicular to the central beam path. The anamorphic lens group may be mounted on structure that allows it to be removed from the central beam path. An image transceiver is either an image source that directs a light beam through the primary lens group and the anamorphic lens group, or is an image receiver that receives a light beam through the primary lens group and the anamorphic lens group.

Abstract: A digital projection display includes a light source producing as an output a light beam, an integrator that receives the light beam from the light source, an illumination lens that receives the light beam from the integrator, an illumination fold mirror that receives the light beam from the illumination lens, a light director such as a TIR prism that receives the light beam from the illumination fold mirror, and a digital light modulator that receives the light beam from the light director, spatially modulates the light beam, and sends the light beam back to the light director in a spatially modulated form.

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: An optical integrator, comprising a solid integrator rod for internally reflecting light from an illumination source and transmitting the reflected light through an exit face thereof as a rectangular beam according to a predetermined aspect ratio, and a rectangular precision metal aperture with mirrored wall surfaces for extending the focal plane of the solid integrator rod beyond the exit face.