Abstract: An infrared lens system including a focus section that focus infrared radiation at an image plane, and a zoom section that adjusts a desired focal length of the infrared radiation, the focus section and zoom section including a plurality of lens elements which are located along an optical axis in optical communication with each other, the focus section and zoom section each including a fixed lens fixed with respect to the optical axis and a movable lens arranged for movement along the optical axis.

Abstract: A small-sized and low-cost infrared zoom lens while maintaining the brightness of an image and relevant arts to the infrared zoom lens is provided. The infrared zoom lens 1a is made up of first to third lens groups G1 to G3 formed of zinc sulfide. The first lens group G1 is made up of one or two lenses and has a positive refractive power. The second lens group G2 is made up of one or two lenses and has a negative refractive power. The third lens group G3 is made up of two or more lenses and has a positive refractive power as the whole lens group and also includes a positive meniscus lens with a convex face pointed at the object side as a final lens on the image surface side. At the zooming time, the second lens group G2 is moved along the optical axis. At least one of the lens surfaces of the first to third lens groups G1 to G3 is a diffraction surface. At least one of the lens surfaces of the first and third lens groups G1 and G3 is an aspheric surface.

Abstract: A lighting assembly topology that utilizes spectrum controlling materials to render the illumination compatible with night vision imaging systems. The lighting assembly can be used as either a general illumination source or can be used as a backlight for a transmissive display such as a liquid crystal display. The lighting assembly makes use of spectral filtering which is both transmissive and absorptive for specific spectral regions. The exit port of the lighting assembly is completely filtered with a red and near infrared reflective filter. The absorption of the near infrared spectrum to which NVIS are sensitive is reflected by the typical near infrared reflective filter covering the exit port and absorbed within the material lining the housing of the lighting assembly.

Abstract: This light emitting device has a light emitting part for emitting light into a range including an optical axis, and a radiation lens for refracting the light emitted from the light emitting part and radiating the light into outer space, the radiation lens provided around the optical axis so as to cover the light emitting part. In a coordinate system having an origin that is a center of the light emitting part, a y-axis that is the optical axis, and an x-axis orthogonal to the y-axis, an interface between the radiation lens and the outer space is expressed by a function y=g(x) in a domain of x?0. Increase in |x| changes a sign of a second derivative d2g(x)/dx2 of the function g(x) from negative to positive at an inflexion point x0, and there is a recess on the interface of the lens.

Abstract: In a laser scanning microscope comprising an infrared pulse laser; an objective lens focusing an infrared light from the infrared pulse laser on a sample; a condenser lens disposed on an opposite side of the objective lens across the sample for collecting an observation light that is generated by a nonlinear optical effect and has a wavelength shorter than a wavelength of the infrared light; a visible light detector detecting the observation light collected by the condenser lens, an IR partial transmission filter having partially-modified transmission characteristics for the infrared light is disposed near a front focal position of the condenser lens, and an infrared light detector detecting, through the IR partial transmission filter, a transmitted light from the sample collected by the condenser lens, is provided.

Abstract: In order to prevent infrared from reducing image quality of an image reception device, the present invention discloses a camera lens capable of filtering infrared light. The camera lens includes a barrel, an aperture installed on the barrel for controlling the amount of input light, and an optical lens installed inside the barrel for filtering infrared and performing optical lens.

Abstract: Amorphous materials, glass-ceramics and methods of making the same. Embodiments of the invention include abrasive particles. The abrasive particles can be incorporated into a variety of abrasive articles, including bonded abrasives, coated abrasives, nonwoven abrasives, and abrasive brushes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a salt optic provided with a multilayer coating in order to improve upon the moisture resistance of a salt optic, when compared to the moisture resistance of an uncoated salt optic. In one aspect, the present invention is comprised of a coated salt optic having at least a first coating layer and a second coating layer, the first coating layer being surface-smoothing layer and adhesion layer, and the second coating layer being a moisture barrier layer.

Abstract: Three lenses formed of ZnS are used in combination. A first lens is a meniscus lens having a middle portion which is convex on an object side. A second lens has a middle portion that is a meniscus, which is concave on an object side and has positive refractive power, and a peripheral portion, which is convex on the object side. The first and second lenses have positive refractive power in combination. A third lens is provided adjacent to the second lens with a distance therebetween 1 mm or less and has a middle portion, which is a convex meniscus on an object side, and a peripheral portion which is concave on the object side. A diffraction surface is formed in either surface of the lens.

Abstract: A far-infrared camera includes three lenses formed of ZnS. A first lens is a biconvex lens, a second lens is a negative meniscus or biconcave lens, and a third lens is a positive meniscus lens. A diffraction surface is formed in either surface of a lens. When a total focal distance f of the lens system is 10 mm to 30 mm and a focal distance f12 of the first and second lenses is 20 mm to 70 mm, 1?f12/f?3.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a laminated member with an recorded information code, having a high reading accuracy, which do not detract from product design and which do not require a special reading apparatus. A laminated member 10 of the present invention comprises a transparent material layer 12 on which an information code is recorded, and a reflection-reduction layer 14 provided at the opposite side from a side where the information code is observed. The transparent layer 12 comprises low-reflectance portions 18 and high-reflectance portions 16 having a higher reflectance than the low-reflectance portions 18. The information code is recorded as a distributed pattern of the high-reflectance portions 16. The reflection-reduction layer 14 reduces reflected light advancing to the transparent material layer 12.

Abstract: A compact objective lens is disclosed which is particularly suitable for infrared optical systems. The lens features a simple design with only two lens elements, namely a first lens element receiving incident radiation and having front and rear surfaces, and a second lens element receiving incident radiation from the first element and having front and rear surfaces. The lens forms an image of a scene on a focal plane. At least three of the four surfaces of the elements are aspheric surfaces. The lens has an f-number less than about 2, a field-of-view less than about 30 degrees, and an effective focal length less than about 6 inches. The elements are made from a material selected to pass radiation in the infrared band of the electromagnetic spectrum, e.g., germanium. The lens is suitable for use as an objective lens for a long-wave infrared sight for small arms, e.g., rifle or shoulder-launched surface to air missile launching system, i.e.

Abstract: A lens (10) and a method for forming the lens (10). The lens (10) including a base (12) with plurality of nano-particles (14) therein. The base (12) is made of glass. The nano-particles (14) can filter infrared rays from incoming light and are evenly distribute throughout the base. The method for forming a lens includes: (1) preparing a glass pre-form (60) with nano-particles (14) for filtrating infrared rays; (2) pressing the glass pre-form (60) using a press mold machine (500) to mold a lens (10).

Abstract: An infrared lens 1a includes first to third lenses L1 to L3 which are made of zinc sulfide and arranged in this order from an object side. Each of the first to third lenses L1 to L3 is configured as a positive meniscus lens of which convex surface is opposed to the object. The lenses L1 to L3 are formed by heat-press molding raw powder of zinc sulfide using a lens-shaped mold. In addition, a concave surface (the surface opposed to the image side) of the first lens L1 is formed as a diffractive surface.

Abstract: An infrared imaging device is provided which comprises first and second plastic Fresnel lenses that are in optical communication with each other. Each of the first and second lenses have a first major surface which is convex and a second major surface which comprises a Fresnel surface. The first lens is adapted to mimic a meniscus asphere correct for conjugates of infinity and for the focal length of said first lens, and the second lens is adapted to mimic a meniscus asphere and is further adapted to act as a field flattener.

Abstract: The invention is a thermal imaging camera lens that has an LCD display mounted on the opposing side of the camera, which is integrated into a fire mask visor. The fire mask visor is used in conjunction with an oxygen mask. The thermal imaging lens is directed along the same line of sight as the user's, which provides for greater ease of use in hazardous situations. However, the thermal imaging lens can be rotated to a desired angle and line of sight of the end user. A sealant can be applied to the perimeter of the thermal imaging system housing and the visor to prevent the introduction of smoke and/or hazardous gases from entering the interior side of the visor.

Abstract: There is provided an imaging lens including: a transparent substrate; an upper lens disposed on a top of the transparent substrate; and a lower lens disposed on a bottom of the transparent substrate to correspond to the upper lens, wherein one of the upper and lower lenses includes a lens element and a partition wall formed higher than the lens element to surround the lens element. Also, there is provided a method of manufacturing the same. In the imaging lens, the partition wall is replicated together with the lens element on one or both surfaces of the transparent substrate. The partition wall is formed higher than the lens element and has a flat top surface. Therefore, when another lens element is replicated on an opposite surface of the transparent substrate, the previously replicated lens element is prevented from deformation.

Abstract: An ultra-broadband ultraviolet (UV) catadioptric imaging microscope system with wide-range zoom capability. The microscope system, which comprises a catadioptric lens group and a zooming tube lens group, has high optical resolution in the deep UV wavelengths, continuously adjustable magnification, and a high numerical aperture. The system integrates microscope modules such as objectives, tube lenses and zoom optics to reduce the number of components, and to simplify the system manufacturing process. The preferred embodiment offers excellent image quality across a very broad deep ultraviolet spectral range, combined with an all-refractive zooming tube lens. The zooming tube lens is modified to compensate for higher-order chromatic aberrations that would normally limit performance.

Abstract: An optical system includes a plurality of optical elements having finite refractive power and an electronic imaging device disposed at an image side of the optical system. At least one of the plurality of optical elements is made of resin, and an infrared-cut coating is applied to at least one face of the optical element that is made of resin.

Abstract: An infrared laser light source spreader has a first biconvex lens, a biconcave lens, a convex-concave lens, and a second biconvex lens. Light from an infrared laser light source is emitted incident to the first biconvex lens, spreads and exits to be incident on the biconcave lens, is further spread and inverted by the biconcave lens, exits to be incident on the convex-concave lens, which collimates the light, and becomes incident on the second biconvex lens, which spreads the light further.

Abstract: A molded optical filter and a method of molding an optical filter having a characteristic FWHM value of less than at least 59 nm with a greatly increased visible light transmission value as compared to the prior art. The optical filter utilizes a sharp cut-on dye incorporated into a moldable polymer base matrix that allows the optical filter to be formed using conventional molding equipment as has been previously unknown in the art.

Abstract: An infrared refractive lens triplet having color correction properties for radiation within the 3 to 12 micrometer spectral band for use with a quantum well detector for simultaneous dual band imagery. In certain embodiments of the invention, two widely spaced triplets form a Petzval-type objective lens. Each lens triplet is made up of a negative zinc sulfide lens, a positive zinc selenide lens, and a negative gallium arsenide lens coaxially positioned along a chief ray of the lens system.

Abstract: An infrared lens system including a focus section that focus infrared radiation at an image plane, and a zoom section that adjusts a desired focal length of the infrared radiation, the focus section and zoom section including a plurality of lens elements which are located along an optical axis in optical communication with each other, the focus section and zoom section each including a fixed lens fixed with respect to the optical axis and a movable lens arranged for movement along the optical axis.

Abstract: An infrared light condensing apparatus that focuses an infrared light of several tens microns in wavelength at a microfine area of submicron or less and also a near-field from a microfine area of submicron or less, and permits a scanning image to be obtained. It includes a solid immersion lens including a medium of high index of refraction for coupling an incident light or an outgoing light to an antenna, a measured specimen disposed on a base plane of the solid immersion lens, an antenna disposed away from the base plane at a distance ¼ of an effective wavelength of the light for causing the light to geometrically resonate therewith, a rod-like conductive probe having a sharply point end projecting from the antenna, and a position control means such as a triaxial XYZ mechanical stage for controlling the position of the probe with the intermediary of a cantilever.

Abstract: A wide field microscope includes a stage configured to hold a specimen having a fluorescent material therein, and a multi-photon excitation light source configured to produce excitation light having a single photon energy less than an absorption energy required for single photon excitation of said fluorescent material. A beam expansion unit is optically coupled to the light source and configured to expand the excitation light with reduced pulse spreading characteristics, and an infinity corrected objective optically coupled to the expansion unit and configured to focus the excitation light onto the specimen such that multi-photon excitation of the fluorescent material simultaneously occurs over a predetermined area of the specimen. A focus lens is configured to focus emission light emitted from said predetermined area of the specimen onto at least two pixels of an image detector simultaneously.

Abstract: An image forming system and lens system including at least one molded chalcogenide lens element and configured to simultaneously image light at the medium wave infrared region (MWIR) and the long wave infrared region (LWIR) at a common focal plane.

Abstract: Provided is a camera module having a lens with a plurality of IR cut-off filters. The IR cut-off filters are vacuum deposited in a thin film type on surfaces of two aspherical plastic lenses among a plurality of aspherical plastic lenses mounted within the camera module. The height of the camera module can be minimized and the manufacturing cost can be saved because the number of processes is reduced by the reduced number of parts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a wide angle multi-color infrared (IR) optical system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system is provided that comprises a negative lens configured to receive an incoming light beam scene over a wide FOV and a beam splitter configured to receive incoming light beam associated with the incoming light beam scene from the negative lens and to provide light beams of a first color to a first channel and to provide light beams of a second color to a second channel. The system further comprises a first positive lens assembly arranged to focus light beams of the first color received from the beam splitter on a first image detector, and a second positive lens assembly arranged to focus light beams of the second color received from the beam splitter on a second image detector.

Abstract: An image sensing device is disclosed having a die formed with an array of photosensing sites and a structure of optical material having infrared absorbing characteristics formed over the photosensing sites. An embodiment is disclosed in which the structure of optical material having infrared absorbing characteristics is formed as an array of microlenses for directing visible image light onto the photosensing sites and at the same time filtering out infrared wavelengths that interfere with image capture. Alternatively, the structure may be designed to filter out other ranges of wavelengths outside of the visible spectrum.

Abstract: An image forming system and lens system configured to simultaneously image light at the short wave infrared region (SWIR) and the near infrared region (NIR).

Abstract: An automotive occupant position restraint apparatus senses a position of an occupant of a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes an optical energy source emitting a first beam of optical energy. A first optical arrangement is disposed in a path of the first beam of optical energy. The first optical arrangement expands the first beam of optical energy into a plurality of second beams of optical energy spanning across a first angle. A second optical arrangement is disposed in a path of the second beams of optical energy. The second optical arrangement expands the second beams of optical energy into a plurality of third beams of optical energy spanning across a second angle larger than the first angle. An optical energy receiver receives optical energy from the third beams, wherein the received optical energy has been reflected within a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An infrared imaging device is provided which comprises first and second plastic Fresnel lenses that are in optical communication with each other. Each of the first and second lenses have a first major surface which is convex and a second major surface which comprises a Fresnel surface. The first lens is adapted to mimic a meniscus asphere correct for conjugates of infinity and for the focal length of said first lens, and the second lens is adapted to mimic a meniscus asphere and is further adapted to act as a field flattener.

Abstract: An abnormality detection support device, suitable for a case where rescue operations are made under situations that visibility is disturbed by smoke due to fire, includes an infrared camera, a display which, at least when the infrared camera is in use, comes to be positioned in front of a user's eyes and reproduces an image taken by the infrared camera thereon and a face protector or a helmet, on which the infrared camera and the display are provided, and the infrared camera and the display are arranged to be within an outline of the user's head in a front view when the device is put on the user. The present invention can, therefore, provide the abnormality detection support device which enables an operator to work with both hands available while directly watching the infrared image even under a circumstance that smoke or the like due to occurrence of fire disturbs the field of vision of the operator, and has excellent usability.

Abstract: A fusion vision system has a first eyepiece through which a fused viewable image is larger than an image viewed through a second eyepiece to help the operator more easily view the fused image in their brain. The fusion vision system may employ image intensification and thermal imaging capabilities.

Abstract: An infrared zoom lens having no aspheric lens elements comprises, six distinct lens groups each having two or less spherical lens elements. The first group has a positive power, the second group has a negative power, the third group has a positive power, the fourth group has a negative power, the fifth has a positive power and the sixth group has either a positive or negative power with the purpose of relaying and focusing the output of the fourth lens group onto the focal plane of the imaging device. The second and fourth groups are axially movable but fixed relative to each other and move as a group relative to stationary groups one and three. The zoom ratio is thus varied, and no additional motion is required to keep the imagery sharp at the output focal plane as the lens is varied from the wide angle to the telephoto position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making an achromatic lens. The invention provides a method for making a lens that makes use of the differences in the index of refraction of ZnSe and ZnS in the mm-wave and IR wavebands to minimize the differences in focal position between the two wavebands. A lens train thus made can be used in conjunction with a dual-band focal plane array to simultaneously focus two wavebands on a common focal plane and thus provide for simultaneous imaging in both wavebands.

Abstract: An array of photoconductive elements comprises an array of radiation detectors; an electrical lead connected to the array of radiation detectors; at least one amplifier receptive of an output signal of the array of radiation detectors; a summation device receptive of an output signal of the at least one amplifier; and a positive feedback loop for reducing crosstalk by directing an output signal of the summation device to the at least one amplifier. A circuit processes the outputs of the array of radiation detectors. The photoconductive elements may be operated in a constant voltage mode or a constant current mode.

Abstract: An ultraviolet imaging system includes at least two negative lens elements, and at least two positive lens elements. The ultraviolet imaging system satisfies the following conditions: ?3<f(i=330)/r1<?0.5??(1) 65<? (ALL)??(2) 0<?(i=330) (P)??(i=330) (N)<10??(3) wherein f(i=330) designates the focal length of the entire ultraviolet imaging system with respect to a wavelength “i” of 330 nm (base wavelength); r1 designates the radius of curvature of the object-side surface of the most object-side lens element; ? (ALL) designates a reciprocal of a dispersion value, with respect to the d-line, of the glass material of all of the lens elements; ?(i=330) (P) designates the reciprocal of the dispersion value, for the positive lens elements, with respect to the wavelength of 330 nm; and ?(i=330) (N) designates the reciprocal of the dispersion value, for the negative lens elements, with respect to the wavelength of 330 nm.

Abstract: A DUV-capable dry objective for microscopes comprises lens groups made of quartz glass, fluorite, and in some cases also lithium fluoride. It possesses a DUV focus for a DUV wavelength region ?DUV±??, where ??=8 nm, and additionally a parfocal IR focus for an IR wavelength ?IR, where 760 nm??IR?920 nm. For that purpose, the penultimate element is of concave configuration on both sides, and its object-side outer radius is much smaller than its image-side outer radius. The DUV objective is IR autofocus-capable.

Abstract: An imaging optical system has an optical axis and a refractive optical group including a lens lying on the optical axis. At least one lens of the refractive optical group lying on the optical axis has an aspheric front surface and an aspheric back surface. An image surface lies on the optical axis, and the refractive optical group forms an image at the image surface. The image surface is preferably substantially planar. A detector, such as a focal plane array detector, lies on the optical axis such that a ray of light passing through the lens is incident upon the detector. It is preferred that there are two lenses lying on the optical axis, with each lens having an aspheric front surface and an aspheric back surface. The imaging optical system is suitable for use as a large-aperture, wide-field-of-view, compact system having an F number of less than about F/1.5, a field of view of more than about 45 degrees, and a telephoto ratio of less than about 2.0.

Abstract: A retail purchaser of a previously-purchased remote-controlled retail electronic entertainment device may retrofit said remote-controlled device to provide an increased acceptance angle for an infrared receiver thereof by performing the steps of: a) purchasing, on a retail basis, a hemispheric lens; and b) securing the hemispheric lens to the face of the previously-purchased remote-controlled device over the infrared receiver thereof. Retrofitting of a previously-purchased remote-controlled retail electronic entertainment device by a retail purchaser of said previously-purchased device to provide an increased acceptance angle for an infrared receiver thereof may be enabled by performing the steps of: a) selling, on a retail basis to the retail purchaser of the previously-purchased device, a hemispheric lens; and b) instructing the retail purchaser to secure the hemispheric lens to the face of said remote-controlled device over the infrared receiver thereof.

Abstract: A zoom lens assembly (10) compensates optically, as opposed to mechanically, for changes in temperature. In a preferred embodiment a difference in focus between WFOV and NFOV zoom lens positions, over temperature, is minimized such that any actual shift in focus falls within the depth of focus of the zoom lens assembly. The zoom lens assembly has, along an optical axis, first and third lens elements (12,16) that are made from a first material and that have a positive power, a second lens element (14) interposed between the first and third lens elements and movable along the optical axis between a WFOV and NFOV position. The second lens element has a negative power and is made of a second material. The materials are selected such that a change in refractive index for a change in temperature of the first material is less than a change in refractive index for a change in temperature of the second material.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element simultaneously realizes a plurality of optical functions and is small in size and excellent in productivity. The diffractive optical element has a multilayer member composed of a plurality of layers each of which is made of an optical material. Adjacent layers of the multilayer member are in contact with each other, and have different refractive indexes from each other. The multilayer member includes boundary faces between the contacted adjacent layers. Uneven patterns that cause transmitted light to undergo desired diffraction are formed on at least two faces of three faces including the boundary faces and outer surfaces of the multilayer member. The uneven patterns formed on different faces have different shapes or sizes in the direction of the layers of the multilayer member.

Abstract: An ultraviolet (UV) catadioptric imaging system, with broad spectrum correction of primary and residual, longitudinal and lateral, chromatic aberrations for wavelengths extending into the deep UV (as short as about 0.16 ?m), comprises a focusing lens group with multiple lens elements that provide high levels of correction of both image aberrations and chromatic variation of aberrations over a selected wavelength band, a field lens group formed from lens elements with at least two different refractive materials, such as silica and a fluoride glass, and a catadioptric group including a concave reflective surface providing most of the focusing power of the system and a thick lens providing primary color correction in combination with the focusing lens group. The field lens group is located near the intermediate image provided by the focusing lens group and functions to correct the residual chromatic aberrations. The system is characterized by a high numerical aperture (typ. greater than 0.

Abstract: A system and method for simultaneous imaging of both infrared and millimeter wave radiation. The novel optical system (10) includes a primary mirror (20), a Mangin secondary mirror (30) positioned to receive energy reflected from the primary mirror (20), and an immersion lens (40) for focusing energy received from the Mangin mirror (30). In the illustrative embodiment, the primary mirror (20) and Mangin mirror (30) are arranged in a Cassegrain configuration. Central to this invention is the use of a negative power refractive Mangin mirror (30) as the Cassegrain secondary mirror, so that the field curvature of the secondary mirror (30) and immersion lens (40) can be made to cancel. The immersion lens (40) effectively decreases the wavelength of the millimeter wave radiation, allowing a smaller detector to collect the same amount of radiation as would a larger detector in air.

Abstract: The glare protection device for welding applications contains an active electro-optical filter element (2) with an electronic control circuit (3). The active filter element (2) absorbs the UV-radiation up to 380 nm. An IR-plastic filter (10) is completely joined with the active electro-optical filter element by a compact adhesive layer (11) and together with it forms a single optical and mechanical unit (1) having a high transmittance in the visual region of the spectrum. The IR-plastic filter (10) contains a dye that absorbs the infrared radiation in a wavelength range of 780-1400 nm. With this, a robust, cheap and safe in operation glare protection device for various applications is created.

Abstract: An optical component formed of a material that blocks noise-causing visible and near-infrared rays selectively or as a whole while transmitting far-infrared rays to the extent possible, and a method for producing the component. The component is produced by adding at least one additive that blocks visible and near-infrared rays to a ceramic material of ZnS, ZnSe, or Ge. The component is most suitable for a particular purpose or use of an optical component, such as a window or lens to be used in a high-performance infrared apparatus, because noise-causing visible and near-infrared rays are blocked.

Abstract: A control system includes an electrical load control device responsive to radiant energy and a transmitter. The transmitter includes two sets of radiant energy generators connected to an electrical circuit such that polarity of the sets is reversed. A transmissive enclosure includes indented portions defining deflectors oriented obliquely with respect to a generator support surface. The transmitter is secured to a bracket for attachment to a backcover of the load control device. The control system may also include a master control generating an electrical control signal in response to an actuator or in response to a radiant energy signal. The control system is capable of limiting the master control to generate a signal only in response to the actuator. A power supply for the transmitter includes a filter network having a filter capacitor and resistor in series with a power supply capacitor and a diode in parallel with the resistor.

Abstract: An antireflection substrate comprising a substrate which is transparent to ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet rays in the wavelength region from 155 nm to 200 nm and a mono-, bi- or tri-layer antireflection film formed on at least one side of the substrate, wherein the refractive index and the physical thickness of the antireflection film at the center wavelength &lgr;0 of the wavelength region of ultraviolet or vacuum ultraviolet light which needs antireflection satisfy particular conditions, and an optical component for a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and a substrate for a low-reflection pellicle which is the ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet antireflection substrate.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus and method that is capable of non-contact cooling of a hot body by optically-enhanced radiation. An apparatus in accordance with the illustrative embodiment includes a cold body and an optical system. The optical system couples the cold body to a hot body for the transmission of infrared radiation. Once optically coupled, heat will flow, at an enhanced rate, from the hot body to the cold body, as dictated by thermodynamics, thereby cooling the hot body. In some embodiment, the temperature of the cold body is held substantially constant.