Sensor system with dynamic optical corrector

Details Sensor system with dynamic optical corrector Sensor system with dynamic optical corrector

1998-09-30

2001-03-13

Le, Que T. (Department: 2878)

Radiant energy

Photocells; circuits and apparatus

Photocell controls its own optical systems

C250S216000, C244S003160

Reexamination Certificate

active

06201230

ABSTRACT:

The present invention relates to optical correction systems for compensating optical aberrations, and more particularly to a programmable optical system that dynamically corrects or induces aberrations into the optical path of an apparatus such as a missile seeker.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional optical sensors utilize spherical domes and flat windows in order to protect optical systems from environmental effects such as rain, humidity, etc. As used herein, the term “conformal” optics describe optical systems that are designed with the operational environment as the primary consideration and the optical imaging properties as a secondary concern. As a result, conformal domes and windows for missile and airborne fire control systems are driven by aerodynamic performance issues, e.g. decreased aerodynamic drag, increased missile velocity and extended operational range, and result in highly aspheric dome geometries that are more elongated in shape.
A major disadvantage of these highly aspheric surfaces is the large aberrations they produce in the transmitted optical wave front. In addition, the inherent asymmetry of conformal surfaces leads to variations in the aberration content presented to the optical sensor as it is gimballed across the field of regard. These two factors degrade the sensor's ability to properly image targets of interest and hence undermine the overall system performance. Consequently, the aerodynamic advantages of conformal domes and windows cannot be realized in practical systems unless dynamic aberration correction techniques are developed to restore adequate optical imaging capabilities.
Flexible mirrors have been used as defocus elements in optical missile seekers, e.g. to defocus the imagery for image normalization purposes. Deformable mirrors have been used as adaptive optical elements in astronomical telescopes. U.S. Pat. Ser. No. 4,773,748 describes dynamically controlled deformable mirrors for use in applications such as projection systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A dynamic optical corrector is described, which functions to introduce different aberration types and variable amounts of these aberrations into a missile seeker. These variable aberrations are introduced using a deformable mirror or mirrors. The shape of the mirror(s) is (are) altered to give optimal image quality. This will allow the optical system to be used with conformal domes, which induce variable amounts of aberration depending on the gimbal position within the dome. Conformal optical domes have not been used in the past because they introduce large amounts of aberrations that vary across the field of regard. The dynamic corrector could also be used in any other seeker design requiring dynamic correction. This would include dynamic focus requirements.


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