Abstract: A method and system for forming a focused image on an image plane of a diffraction range finder with a variable pitch diffraction grating. Diffracted light is propagated through a lens and slit assembly and onto an image plane of a camera, the diffracted light having been diffracted by the variable pitch diffraction grating. The lens and slit assembly includes lens elements and a slit. The slit is surrounded by opaque material that is opaque to the diffracted light passing through the slit. The slit has a shape characterized by a long dimension and a short dimension that is shorter than the long dimension.

Abstract: A method and system for forming a focused image on an image plane of a diffraction range finder with a variable pitch diffraction grating. Diffracted light is propagated through a lens and slit assembly and onto an image plane of a camera, the diffracted light having been diffracted by the variable pitch diffraction grating. The lens and slit assembly includes lens elements and a slit. The slit is surrounded by opaque material that is opaque to the diffracted light passing through the slit. The slit has a shape characterized by a long dimension and a short dimension that is shorter than the long dimension.

Abstract: A method and system for forming a focused image on an image plane of a diffraction range finder with a variable pitch diffraction grating. The system includes the variable pitch diffraction grating and a slit through which diffracted light may traverse after having been diffracted by the diffraction grating, wherein the diffracted light is configured to form a focused image on an image plane of a camera after traversing the slit. The method propagates the diffracted through the slit and onto the image plane of the camera, wherein the diffracted light had been diffracted by the variable pitch diffraction grating.

Abstract: A method and system for determining range by correlating a relationship between one or more distances of a diffraction grating from an illuminated target surface with variations in the respective wavelengths of high order diffraction spectra. The high order diffraction spectra are observed through the diffraction grating. The high order diffraction spectra are derived from broadband radiation transmitted from the illuminated target surface.

Abstract: A means for overcoming perspective foreshortening in the receiver of a diffraction range finder by use of chirp diffraction grating 121. In a diffraction range finder, a diffraction grating with variations in pitch such that the displacement of higher-order diffraction images in a receiver are separated from their associated zero-order image by an arbitrary displacement with respect to an arbitrary target distance. A system for ranging a target comprising a variable pitch grating 122 and a receiver 200 of the diffraction images formed by said grating.

Abstract: A method and system for determining range by correlating a relationship between one or more distances of a diffraction grating from an illuminated target surface with variations in the respective wavelengths of high order diffraction spectra. The high order diffraction spectra are observed through the diffraction grating. The high order diffraction spectra are derived from broadband radiation transmitted from the illuminated target surface.