Abstract: An optical imaging system and method including a movable pixelated filter array, a shutter mechanism to which the pixelated filter array is attached, and a controller configured to implement a data reduction algorithm. The shutter mechanism is configured to move the pixelated filter array into and out of the optical path, and the data reduction algorithm allows the controller to account for axial and/or lateral misalignment of the filter array relative to the imaging detector array or its conjugate. In certain examples, the controller is further configured to use the data reduction algorithms also to perform wavefront sensing, for example to estimate wavefront error.

Abstract: An optical imaging system and method including a movable pixelated filter array, a shutter mechanism to which the pixelated filter array is attached, and a controller configured to implement a data reduction algorithm. The shutter mechanism is configured to move the pixelated filter array into and out of the optical path, and the data reduction algorithm allows the controller to account for axial and/or lateral misalignment of the filter array relative to the imaging detector array or its conjugate. In certain examples, the controller is further configured to use the data reduction algorithms also to perform wavefront sensing, for example to estimate wavefront error.

Abstract: A pointing device is provided for directing electromagnetic radiation along a line of sight within a flight vehicle. The pointing device includes a beam deviation structure; a rotation assembly configured to support the beam deviation structure such that the beam deviation structure is pivotable about the rotation axis; and a nod gimbal configured to support the rotation assembly and the beam deviation structure such that the rotation assembly and the beam deviation structure are pivotable about a nod axis.

Abstract: An off-axis reflective transmit telescope for a DIRCM system is mounted on the gimbal along a transmit-axis offset laterally from the optical axis of the receive telescope but nominally aligned with the line-of-sight of the receive telescope to transmit a laser beam. The telescope comprises an optical port optically coupled to a laser to receive and direct the laser beam away from the dome and a reflective optical assembly that reflects the laser beam through the dome. The reflective optical assembly comprises an off-axis mirror segment and a second optical element that together precompensate the laser beam for dome aberrations induced by the lateral offset of the transmit telescope's transmit axis from the optical axis. The off-axis mirror segment comprises a segment of a parent mirror having an aspheric curvature (e.g. parabolic, elliptical or higher-order asphere) about an axis of symmetry. The segment is offset so that it is not centered on the axis of symmetry of the parent mirror.

Abstract: A pointing device is provided for directing electromagnetic radiation along a line of sight within a flight vehicle. The pointing device includes a beam deviation structure; a rotation assembly configured to support the beam deviation structure such that the beam deviation structure is pivotable about the rotation axis; and a nod gimbal configured to support the rotation assembly and the beam deviation structure such that the rotation assembly and the beam deviation structure are pivotable about a nod axis.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a wave guide according to various aspects of the present invention may be implemented in conjunction with a radiation collection device comprising a light pipe, a first plate and a second plate. The first plate and the second plate may be inserted into the interior of the light pipe to divide the light pipe into sections. In one embodiment, a first section plate and at least a second section plate are inserted into a light pipe. The inserted first section plate and the at least second section plate may be secured to the light pipe.

Abstract: An off-axis reflective transmit telescope for a DIRCM system is mounted on the gimbal along a transmit-axis offset laterally from the optical axis of the receive telescope but nominally aligned with the line-of-sight of the receive telescope to transmit a laser beam. The telescope comprises an optical port optically coupled to a laser to receive and direct the laser beam away from the dome and a reflective optical assembly that reflects the laser beam through the dome. The reflective optical assembly comprises an off-axis mirror segment and a second optical element that together precompensate the laser beam for dome aberrations induced by the lateral offset of the transmit telescope's transmit axis from the optical axis. The off-axis mirror segment comprises a segment of a parent mirror having an aspheric curvature (e.g. parabolic, elliptical or higher-order asphere) about an axis of symmetry. The segment is offset so that it is not centered on the axis of symmetry of the parent mirror.

Abstract: A missile defense system (20) for aircraft includes a laser (12) for generating infrared light, a turret (22) that can direct the light toward a missile to blind its infrared sensors, and an optical fiber (14) for delivering the light to the turret (22). The system (20) includes a coupling device (10) for directing the light from the laser (12) into the optical fiber (14). The coupling device (10) includes a light-guiding assembly (24) with one or more lenses or other optical devices to direct the light into the optical fiber (14). The coupling device (10) also isolates the input end of the optical fiber (14) from the environment with an optically-transparent window (26) and provides a way to use a different light-guiding assembly (24) with different lasers (12). The window (26) isolates the end of the fiber (14) from any contaminants in the environment to keep the optical fiber (14) relatively clean, and thereby provide a suitable surface for the light to enter the fiber (14).

Abstract: An integrated circuit package including an optical sensor array is provided with a transparent window comprising a thermoset plastic, such as an epoxy transfer clear molding compound, that is resistant to the elevated temperatures found in semiconductor processing and is configured as a lens, to improve the image quality of the image incident on the sensor. As an example, a field flattener lens is incorporated into the window to form an integral element that also acts as an hermetic seal. Thus, the field flattener is made integral with the sensor. The thermoset lens provides two functions: (1) it improves the image quality; and (2) it protects the sensor from damage and contamination. This protection is normally provided by a glass window on the sensor, but is no longer necessary by virtue of the present invention.

Abstract: An optical fiber output beam-shaping device for a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) assembly is provided. The beam-shaping device comprises a plano surface, on which one end of a fiber optic is terminated, a reflecting surface, such as a mirror or total internal reflection (TIR) surface, and a beam-shaping lens. The beam-shaping device itself may be of one-piece construction, or the beam-shaping device and a lens array for the WDM may be fabricated as a unitary body. A method for forming such one-piece bodies (beam-shaping device or combination of beam-shaping device and lens array) is disclosed. Because the combination of the optical fiber output beam-shaping device and lens array is of unitary, or one-piece, construction, alignment issues involving introducing optical output from an optical fiber into (1) a beam-shaping lens and then (2) a WDM device are reduced.

Abstract: A lens system having a reduced number of injection-molded singlet lens elements with at least one diffractive surface to control axial and lateral chromatic aberrations is disclosed. In one embodiment, the diffractive surface is placed on the first surface of the third lens, which is closest to the image plane. An opaque spacer provides suppression of stray light from reaching the image plane.