Abstract: Optical magnifying apparatus comprises an objective lens (11) from which light is directed to a beam splitting mirror (12). A portion of the light passes through the beam splitting mirror to a first concave mirror (13) and is reflected back via the beam splitting mirror through a viewing lens (5) to a first eye (16) of an observer. The remainder of the light is reflected by the beam splitting mirror to a second concave mirror (17) from which it is reflected back via the beam splitting mirror through the viewing lens to a second eye (19) of the observer. Focussed first and second images (14, 18) of an object (10) are produced respectively on the surfaces of the first and second concave mirrors. The optical axes of the concave mirrors are relatively offset such that the relayed pupils of the mirrors are separated horizontally by a distance approximately equal to the average interpupillary spacing of an observer.

Abstract: A composite optical component for use in an improved optical system, for example, of the type in U.S. Pat. No. 4,012,109 includes opposed discs having surfaces in contact. The surfaces in contact are grooved with parallel grooves providing an undulating surface every portion of which is arcuate and capable of magnifying an image at a focal plane approximately between the grooved surfaces of the discs. The grooves are arranged transverse to one another, and preferably at 90.degree., and the component is rotated about an axis normal to the focal point.