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: An interferometer is provided which includes a source for generating a source beam of linearly polarized coherent light along a light path; a non-polarizing beam splitting, combining and resplitter disposed in the path of the source beam for splitting the source beam into a reference beam and a measuring beam and for recombining the reference and measuring beams into an interfering beam and resplitting the interfering beam into a first output beam and a second output beam; a reference reflector positioned in the reference beam for causing the reference beam to traverse a reference path and return to the non-polarizing beam splitting means; a measuring reflector spaced a distance to be measured from the non-polarizing beam splitter for causing the measuring beam to traverse a measured path and return to the non-polarizing beam splitter; a half wave plate in one of the reference and measuring beams for rotating the polarization of the measuring beam relative to the reference beam prior to recombining the measur

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.

Abstract: A universal polishing tool comprises a rigid cup having a circular rim to which is attached a relatively thin resilient polishing pad. In accordance with a method for using the tool, the tool is rotated about the axis of a support shaft causing the resilient polishing pad to move with respect to the surface which is being polished. The universal polishing tool is dynamically positioned as a function of time with respect to the surface being polished. The orientation and position as a function of time are determined by a control algorithm according to the geometry of the tool and the particular surface being polished and are controlled by means of a controllable positioning device. In the case of a spherical surface or a rotationally symmetric aspheric surface, the lens is rotated about its axis of symmetry during the polishing operation. In the case of a toric surface, the lens is oscillated about an axis which is normal to its center.

Abstract: Riflescope arrangement includes a tube containing an eye piece section fowed by a relay section which is followed by an objective section. The eye piece, relay and objective sections lie along and are aligned with the optical axis of the riflescope. The front optical element of the objective section is in the form of an axial gradient index element to add a degree of freedom for chromatic and other corrections, without adding an extra element or weight to the riflescope.