Image slicer for large field of view optical telescopes

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of telescope, and particularly relates to an image splitter for a large field optical telescope, which comprises a lens array arranged at a focal plane of the large field optical telescope and used for splitting an incident light beam formed by the large field into a plurality of sub-beams; a light splitting element arranged in a light beam exit direction of the lens array and used for reflecting the plurality of sub-beams to split the plurality of sub-beams into two different field of views; a plurality of coupling mirror groups, the number of which is the same as the number of lenses in the lens array, each of which is used for collimating and coupling a corresponding sub-beam reflected by the light splitting element into an optical fiber; and each sub-beam collected by each optical fiber enters an integrated interference fiber module, and the integrated interference fiber module interferes any two sub-beams to obtain interference fringes. The present application divides a large target into different small regions for interference imaging, and the interference fringes formed by the small regions are clear due to small optical path differences of the small regions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of telescope technology, and more particularly to an image splitter for a large field-of-view optical telescope. Background Technology

[0002] Optical telescopes are essential scientific instruments for humankind's understanding of space. Scientists have set high requirements for key specifications of optical telescopes, such as aperture, focal length, operating wavelength, field of view, and image quality, to meet various observation and research objectives. Wide-field optical telescopes, capable of acquiring more celestial information within a given astronomical observation period, have improved efficiency and have long been favored by scientists and astronomical observers.

[0003] Currently, wide field-of-view optical telescopes typically employ Cassegrain or Gregorian systems. To obtain target information in a wide field of view, interferometric imaging of the target is required. If the target is too large, the large optical path difference will result in unclear interference fringes, or even prevent interference from occurring. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides an image segmenter for large field-of-view optical telescopes, which divides a large target into different small regions for separate interferometric imaging, thereby ensuring coherence and contrast.

[0005] The image splitter for a large field-of-view optical telescope provided by this invention includes: a beam splitter, a lens array, a coupling mirror group, and an integrated interference fiber optic module. The lens array is positioned at the focal plane of the large field-of-view optical telescope to split the incident beam formed in the large field of view into multiple sub-beams. The beam splitter is positioned in the beam-out direction of the lens array and has two reflecting surfaces to reflect the multiple sub-beams, splitting them into two different fields of view. The number of coupling mirror groups is the same as the number of lenses in the lens array. Multiple coupling mirror groups are distributed in the two fields of view directions after beam splitting by the beam splitter, and the position of each coupling mirror group corresponds to the position of the lenses in the lens array. Each coupling mirror group is used to collimate and couple the corresponding sub-beam after reflection by the beam splitter into an optical fiber. The number of optical fibers is the same as the number of coupling mirror groups, and each optical fiber is connected to the integrated interference fiber optic module. The sub-beams collected by each optical fiber enter the integrated interference fiber optic module, which interferes with any two sub-beams to obtain interference fringes.

[0006] Preferably, the center of the lens array is a through hole, which corresponds to the intersection of the two reflecting surfaces.

[0007] Preferably, the beam-splitting element is a corner prism, with the two surfaces forming a 90° angle serving as reflecting surfaces.

[0008] Preferably, the beam splitting element consists of two reflective sheets forming a 90° angle, with both reflective sheets having reflective surfaces.

[0009] Preferably, the coupling lens assembly includes a collimating lens and a converging lens. The collimating lens is used to collimate the sub-beam, and the converging lens is used to guide the collimated sub-beam into the optical fiber.

[0010] Preferably, the image splitter also includes a correction system in the same number as the coupling lens group. The correction system includes a standard light source and a semi-transparent mirror. The semi-transparent mirror is positioned between the collimating lens and the converging lens. The standard light emitted by the standard light source is reflected by the semi-transparent mirror and converged by the converging lens before entering the optical fiber. The sub-beams are transmitted through the semi-transparent mirror and converged by the converging lens before entering the optical fiber.

[0011] Preferably, the image splitter further includes a spherical splicing primary mirror, which is composed of multiple spherical mirrors and is used to divide a large field of view into multiple smaller fields of view; the lens array is disposed at the focal plane of the spherical splicing primary mirror.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention divides a large target into different small regions for interferometric imaging. Since the optical path difference of the small regions is small, the interference fringes formed in the small regions are clear, thereby ensuring coherence and contrast. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an image splitter for a large field-of-view optical telescope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] The reference numerals in the attached figures include: lens array 1, beam splitter 2, coupling mirror group 3, collimating lens 31, converging lens 32, integrated interference fiber optic module 4, fiber optic 5, spherical splicing primary mirror 6, standard light source 7, and semi-transparent and semi-reflective mirror 8. Detailed Implementation

[0015] In the following description, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description below, the same modules are denoted by the same reference numerals. Where the same reference numerals are used, their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, their detailed description will not be repeated.

[0016] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof.

[0017] Figure 1 The structure of an image splitter for a large field-of-view optical telescope provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the image splitter for a large field-of-view optical telescope provided in this embodiment of the invention includes a lens array 1, a beam splitter 2, a coupling mirror group 3, an integrated interferometric fiber module 4, and an optical fiber 5. The lens array 1 is located at the focal plane of the large field-of-view optical telescope. Each lens in the lens array 1 splits the incident beam formed in the large field of view, thereby dividing the incident beam into multiple sub-beams. The beam splitter 2 is located in the beam exit direction of the lens array 1. The beam splitter 2 is used to divide the field of view of the multiple sub-beams. The beam splitter 2 has two reflecting surfaces, which reflect the multiple sub-beams respectively, thereby dividing the multiple sub-beams into two fields of view in different directions. The number of coupling mirror groups 3 is the same as the number of lenses in the lens array 1. Multiple coupling mirror groups 3 are distributed in the same number on the reflection directions of the two reflecting surfaces of the beam splitter 2, that is, in the two field-of-view directions after the beam splitter 2 is split. The position of each coupling mirror group 3 corresponds one-to-one with the position of each lens in the lens array 1. The sub-beams split by each lens are reflected by the reflecting surface of the beam splitter 2 and then incident into the corresponding coupling mirror group 3. The coupling mirror group 3 collimates the incident sub-beams and couples them into the optical fiber 5. The number of optical fibers 5 is the same as the number of coupling mirror groups 3. Each optical fiber 5 is connected to the integrated interference fiber module 4. The sub-beams collected by each optical fiber 5 enter the integrated interference fiber module 4. The integrated interference fiber module 4 interferes with any two sub-beams to obtain interference fringes.

[0019] The center of the lens array 1 is a through hole, which corresponds to the intersection of the two reflecting surfaces of the beam splitter 2.

[0020] The beam splitter 2 is a corner prism, with the two faces of the corner prism forming a 90° angle serving as reflective surfaces; or the beam splitter 2 is two reflective sheets forming a 90° angle, with the surfaces of both reflective sheets serving as reflective surfaces.

[0021] The coupling lens group 3 includes a collimating lens 31 and a converging lens 32. The collimating lens 31 is used to collimate the sub-beam, and the converging lens 32 is used to guide the collimated sub-beam into the optical fiber 5.

[0022] This invention divides the target into different small regions using a lens array 1, performs interferometric imaging on each small region, and ultimately obtains all the details of the target.

[0023] Because the optical path difference in each small region is small, the interference fringes formed in the small regions are clear, thus ensuring coherence and contrast.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image splitter further includes a spherical stitching primary mirror 6 for dividing the field of view, and the lens array 1 is disposed at the focal plane of the spherical stitching primary mirror 6. The spherical stitching primary mirror 6 is composed of multiple spherical mirrors and is used to divide a large field of view into multiple smaller fields of view.

[0025] Because large field of view correction is difficult, while small field of view correction is easy, a large field of view is divided into multiple small field of view to reduce the difficulty of correction.

[0026] The advantages of the spherical splicing primary mirror 6, which is formed by splicing multiple spherical mirrors, are low cost, no off-axis aspherical surfaces, and solve the problem of difficulty in large field of view correction.

[0027] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image splitter further includes a correction system for correcting the light flux of the entire image splitter. The number of correction systems is the same as the number of coupling mirror groups. Each correction system includes a standard light source 7 and a semi-transparent mirror 8. The semi-transparent mirror 8 is disposed between the corresponding collimating lens 31 and converging lens 32. The standard light emitted by the standard light source 7 is reflected by the semi-transparent mirror 8 and converged by the converging lens 32 before entering the optical fiber 5. The sub-beams are transmitted through the semi-transparent mirror 8 and converged by the converging lens 32 before entering the optical fiber 5.

[0028] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used to reorder, add, or delete steps. For example, the steps described in this invention disclosure can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution disclosed in this invention can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.

[0029] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. An image segmenter for a large field-of-view optical telescope, characterized in that, include: The components include a beam splitter, lens array, coupling mirror assembly, and integrated interferometric fiber optic module; among which... The lens array is positioned at the focal plane of the large field-of-view optical telescope and is used to divide the incident beam formed in the field of view of the optical telescope into multiple sub-beams. The beam splitter is positioned in the beam emission direction of the lens array. The beam splitter has two reflective surfaces for reflecting multiple sub-beams and splitting the multiple sub-beams into two fields of view in different directions. The number of coupling mirror groups is the same as the number of lenses in the lens array. Multiple coupling mirror groups are distributed in two field-of-view directions after the beam splitter is split by the beam splitter, and the position of each coupling mirror group corresponds to the position of the lens in the lens array. Each coupling mirror group is used to collimate the sub-beam corresponding to the beam after reflection by the beam splitter and couple it into the optical fiber. The number of optical fibers is the same as the number of coupling mirrors, and each optical fiber is connected to the integrated interference fiber module. The sub-beams collected by each optical fiber enter the integrated interference fiber module, and the integrated interference fiber module interferes with any two sub-beams to obtain interference fringes.

2. The image segmenter for a large field-of-view optical telescope as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The center of the lens array is a through hole, which corresponds to the intersection of two reflecting surfaces.

3. The image splitter for a large field-of-view optical telescope as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The beam splitter is a corner prism, with two surfaces forming a 90° angle serving as reflective surfaces.

4. The image splitter for a large field-of-view optical telescope as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The beam splitter consists of two reflective sheets forming a 90° angle, with both reflective sheets having reflective surfaces.

5. The image segmenter for a large field-of-view optical telescope as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The coupling lens assembly includes a collimating lens and a converging lens. The collimating lens is used to collimate the sub-beam, and the converging lens is used to guide the collimated sub-beam into the optical fiber.

6. The image splitter for a large field-of-view optical telescope as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a spherical splicing primary mirror, which is composed of multiple spherical mirrors and is used to divide the field of view of the optical telescope into multiple smaller fields of view; the lens array is set at the focal plane of the spherical splicing primary mirror.

7. The image splitter for a large field-of-view optical telescope as described in claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a correction system in the same number as the coupling lens group. The correction system includes a standard light source and a semi-transparent mirror. The semi-transparent mirror is disposed between the collimating lens and the converging lens. The standard light emitted by the standard light source is reflected by the semi-transparent mirror and converged by the converging lens before entering the optical fiber. The sub-beams are transmitted through the semi-transparent mirror and converged by the converging lens before entering the optical fiber.

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