Abstract: A dual-band semi-active laser (SAL) sensing system incorporating a dual-passband filter. According to one example, a semi-active laser sensing system includes a detector assembly and an aperture lens. The SAL sensing system further comprises a dual-passband filter having a stopband, a first passband and a second passband, the first and second passbands being distinct and non-overlapping and spectrally separated from one another by a portion of the stopband, the filter being configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the aperture lens and to filter the electromagnetic radiation to pass a first wavelength range within the first passband and a second wavelength range within the second passband. The SAL sensing system further includes a lens assembly configured to receive the first and second wavelength ranges from the filter and to focus the first and second wavelength ranges onto the detector assembly.

Abstract: A dual-band semi-active laser (SAL) sensing system incorporating a dual-passband filter. According to one example, a semi-active laser sensing system includes a detector assembly and an aperture lens. The SAL sensing system further comprises a dual-passband filter having a stopband, a first passband and a second passband, the first and second passbands being distinct and non-overlapping and spectrally separated from one another by a portion of the stopband, the filter being configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the aperture lens and to filter the electromagnetic radiation to pass a first wavelength range within the first passband and a second wavelength range within the second passband. The SAL sensing system further includes a lens assembly configured to receive the first and second wavelength ranges from the filter and to focus the first and second wavelength ranges onto the detector assembly.

Abstract: An optical component, for example a lens, integrally formed of a nano/nano class nanocomposite optical ceramic (NNCOC) material. The constituent nanograin materials of the NNCOC material are selected to tailor the thermal and optical properties of the lens so as to provide a lens with a substantially constant focal length over an operating temperature range and/or an optical system in which the image position does not change appreciably over the operating temperature range.

Abstract: A multimode shared aperture seeker incorporating a dual-mode diffuser and methods of operation thereof. According to one example, a non-gimbaled multimode seeker includes an IIR seeker including an FPA and an optical system that receives infrared radiation via a system optical aperture and focuses the infrared radiation onto the FPA, and a SAL seeker including a SAL detector positioned in an optical path between the system optical aperture and the FPA and configured to detect laser radiation received via the system optical aperture. The SAL detector is substantially transparent to the infrared radiation. The multimode seeker further includes a dual-mode diffuser positioned in the optical path between the system optical aperture and the optical system. The diffuser is configured to spread the laser radiation to broaden a linear field of view of the SAL seeker, and to transmit the infrared radiation substantially undiffracted to the optical system.

Abstract: An optical component, for example a lens, integrally formed of a nano/nano class nanocomposite optical ceramic (NNCOC) material. The constituent nanograin materials of the NNCOC material are selected to tailor the thermal and optical properties of the lens so as to provide a lens with a substantially constant focal length over an operating temperature range and/or an optical system in which the image position does not change appreciably over the operating temperature range.

Abstract: Optical systems configured to withstand operation in high acceleration and varying temperature environments, and methods of assembling the same. In one example, an imaging optical apparatus includes a primary minor made of an unreinforced polymer, a secondary mirror made of the unreinforced polymer and optically coupled to the primary minor, a field lens optically coupled to the secondary minor, and a strut having a plurality of cross-struts and mounting features configured to mount the primary minor, the secondary mirror and the field lens. In some examples, the imaging optical apparatus further includes an outer retainer disposed behind the primary minor and coupled to the strut, and an inner retainer disposed behind the field lens and coupled to the strut, the outer and inner retainers configured to structurally support the primary minor and the field lens and to accommodate deflections of the primary minor.

Abstract: A semi-active laser (SAL) sensing system is thus provided that uses a lens concentrator system to pass received reflected laser light from an aperture to a detector. The lens concentrator system facilitates the use of SAL systems with different laser designator wavelengths to improve the performance of the SAL system. In one embodiment, the lens concentrator system is formed from polymer having substantial optical clarity for radiation having wavelengths between approximately 1.5 and approximately 1.65 ?m. For example, the lens concentrator system may be formed from amorphous fluoropolymer. The lens concentrator system formed from amorphous fluoropolymer facilitates the use SAL designators using different wavelengths than those in past SAL sensing systems.

Abstract: Optical systems configured to withstand operation in high acceleration and varying temperature environments, and methods of assembling the same. In one example, an imaging optical apparatus includes a primary minor made of an unreinforced polymer, a secondary mirror made of the unreinforced polymer and optically coupled to the primary minor, a field lens optically coupled to the secondary minor, and a strut having a plurality of cross-struts and mounting features configured to mount the primary minor, the secondary mirror and the field lens. In some examples, the imaging optical apparatus further includes an outer retainer disposed behind the primary minor and coupled to the strut, and an inner retainer disposed behind the field lens and coupled to the strut, the outer and inner retainers configured to structurally support the primary minor and the field lens and to accommodate deflections of the primary minor.

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 seeker/receiver system for a moving body, such as for guiding the moving body to a target, includes an optics/receiver portion that tilts as a unit relative to other parts of the moving body. The optics/receiver portion includes a window which may be used to enclose and protect one or both of a pair of receivers or detectors, such as a laser energy detector or receiver, and an infrared energy detector or receiver. By moving the window and the receivers as a unit a set positional relationship is maintained between all of the elements of the optics/receiver portion. This simplifies the optics by obviating the need for all aspects of the window to present the same properties to energy detectors that tilt relative to it. The optics/receiver portion may be tilted using a tilt mechanism such as a gimbal.

Abstract: A semi-active laser (SAL) sensing system is thus provided that uses a lens concentrator system to pass received reflected laser light from an aperture to a detector. The lens concentrator system facilitates the use of SAL systems with different laser designator wavelengths to improve the performance of the SAL system. In one embodiment, the lens concentrator system is formed from polymer having substantial optical clarity for radiation having wavelengths between approximately 1.5 and approximately 1.65 ?m. For example, the lens concentrator system may be formed from amorphous fluoropolymer. The lens concentrator system formed from amorphous fluoropolymer facilitates the use SAL designators using different wavelengths than those in past SAL sensing systems.

Abstract: A seeker/receiver system for a moving body, such as for guiding the moving body to a target, includes an optics/receiver portion that tilts as a unit relative to other parts of the moving body. The optics/receiver portion includes a window which may be used to enclose and protect one or both of a pair of receivers or detectors, such as a laser energy detector or receiver, and an infrared energy detector or receiver. By moving the window and the receivers as a unit a set positional relationship is maintained between all of the elements of the optics/receiver portion. This simplifies the optics by obviating the need for all aspects of the window to present the same properties to energy detectors that tilt relative to it. The optics/receiver portion may be tilted using a tilt mechanism such as a gimbal.

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: An objective lens system having reconfigurable optical components that enable the inspection of inspection surfaces in the absence of a pellicle or through a thin membrane pellicle, and using the same system, also enabling the inspection of inspection surfaces through a thick pellicle. An objective lens system includes a first group and a second group of optical elements. The first group of optical elements enables high numerical aperture and beam contraction. The second group of optical elements is capable of two mode operation enabling, in one mode, inspection through a thin membrane pellicle or in the absence of a pellicle and in another mode, enabling inspection through a thick pellicle. The system can also be enhanced through the use of an interposable aberration corrector plate that is used to correct optical aberrations caused by the presence, absence, or thickness of pellicles.

Abstract: An objective lens system having reconfigurable optical components that enable the inspection of inspection surfaces in the absence of a pellicle or through a thin membrane pellicle, and using the same system, also enabling the inspection of inspection surfaces through a thick pellicle. An objective lens system includes a first group and a second group of optical elements. The first group of optical elements enables high numerical aperture and beam contraction. The second group of optical elements is capable of two mode operation enabling, in one mode, inspection through a thin membrane pellicle or in the absence of a pellicle and in another mode, enabling inspection through a thick pellicle. The system can also be enhanced through the use of an interposable aberration corrector plate that is used to correct optical aberrations caused by the presence, absence, or thickness of pellicles.