Optical: systems and elements – Lens – With reflecting element
Patent
1997-03-26
1999-07-27
Epps, Georgia
Optical: systems and elements
Lens
With reflecting element
359727, G02B 1700
Patent
active
059300558
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electromagnetic radiation lens apparatus generally and more particularly to electromagnetic radiation lens apparatus having plural reflective surfaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are known various types of electromagnetic radiation lens apparatus having plural reflective surfaces. The following articles and U.S. Patents are believed to represent the state of the art insofar as it relates to visible and near visible electromagnetic radiation: On-axis three-mirror anastigmat with an offset field of view, by S. G. L. Williams, SPIE Vol. 183, Space Optics (1979), pp 212-216; C. G. Wynne, Mon. Not. R. Astr. Soc. (1972) Vol. 157, pp 403-418; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,078,502; 5,009,494; 4,737,021; 4,632,521; 4,576,447; 2,454,144; 2,378,301; 2,485,345; 2,380,887 and 929,795.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide improved apparatus constructed of a dielectric material which permits transmission of a spectral wave band of electromagnetic radiation, the dielectric material having plural surfaces which reflect the electromagnetic radiation by being coated with a conductive material, and wherein the dielectric material includes one or more surfaces providing total internal reflectance.
The present invention may be applicable for electromagnetic radiation, generally including for example RF, microwave, infrared, visible and ultraviolet radiation.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a unitary, at least partially dielectric, element having formed thereon plural electromagnetic radiation reflecting surfaces, at least one of which is a total internal reflection surface.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the unitary element comprises a multi-surface lens. Preferably, the multi-surface lens comprises a solid objective.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plural electromagnetic radiation reflecting surfaces all have a common axis of symmetry. Alternatively the plural electromagnetic radiation reflecting surfaces may have different axes of symmetry.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the plural electromagnetic radiation reflecting surfaces comprises a conical surface of revolution. Alternatively, one or more of the plural electromagnetic radiation reflecting surfaces may be of any other suitable configuration, such as, for example, aspheric surfaces, cubic splines and the like.
There is provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a multi-surface lens formed of a dielectric material and having a generally flat surface and a generally convex surface, the flat surface and the convex surface each having formed therein a portion defining a concave surface, the concave surface formed in the convex surface having a reflective coating formed thereon, the lens being configured and having an index of refraction such that a band of electromagnetic radiation entering the lens undergoes total internal reflection at at least one of the generally flat surface and the generally convex surface.
There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a multi-surface lens formed of a dielectric material and having a generally flat surface and a generally convex surface, the flat surface being formed with a protrusion and the convex surface being formed with a recess, the protrusion and the recess each having formed therein a concave surface, the concave surface formed in the convex surface having a reflective coating formed thereon, the lens being configured and having an index of refraction such that a band of electromagnetic radiation entering the lens undergoes total internal reflection at at least one of the generally flat surface and the generally convex surface.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the concave surface formed in the convex surface is reflectively coated on a portion
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C.G. Wynne, Five Spectrograph Camera Designs, Mon. Not. R. Astr. Soc., (1972) 157, pp. 403-418.
S.G.L. Williams, On-Axis Three-Mirror Anastigmat with an Offset Field of View, SPIE vol. 183, Space Optics (1979), pp. 212-216.
L.G. Cook, Three-Mirror Anastigmat Used Off-Axis in Aperture and Field, SPIE vol. 183, Space Optics (1979), pp. 207-211.
Epps Georgia
Letendre Suzanne
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