Anamorphic Optical Surface Curvature Correction for Slit Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems fail to effectively correct curvature of field at the slit, leading to potential shielding of light beams and suboptimal imaging performance, particularly when using cylindrical mirrors and diffraction gratings.
Innovation Solution
An optical system comprising a front group with anamorphic optical surfaces and a rear group with a diffractive surface, where the anamorphic optical surfaces have varying curvature radii between on-axis and off-axis positions to correct curvature of field, and the diffractive surface splits light beams into different wavelengths for focused imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a cylindrical mirror is used to focus light beams, then the light beam can be focused on a slit, but curvature of field is generated at the slit causing parts of light beams to be shielded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using anamorphic optical surfaces with different curvature radii in different sections. Specifically, the first optical surface has a first curvature radius in the first section and a second curvature radius in the second section, allowing different regions of the optical system to have optimized local properties for their specific functions, thereby correcting curvature of field while maintaining focus precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry through the anamorphic optical surfaces that have asymmetric curvature characteristics. The curvature radius changes differently in the first section versus the second section, creating an asymmetric optical path that corrects the symmetric curvature of field problem generated by the cylindrical mirror
2Device complexity
If the curvature of field at the slit is not corrected, then the optical system structure remains simple, but light beams may be shielded and imaging performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the anamorphic optical surfaces. These surfaces simultaneously perform focusing, field curvature correction, and wavelength separation tasks, consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate optical components into a more integrated structure that maintains simplicity while improving reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The optical system successfully corrects curvature of field, prevents light beam shielding, and enhances imaging performance by allowing focused imaging of light beams at different wavelengths, increasing the angle of view and precision of image formation.
Implementation Method 1
The front group has an anamorphic optical surface, does not image the object at the opening in a first section parallel to the first direction, and forms an intermediate image of the object at the opening in a second section perpendicular to the first direction
Implementation Method 2
The rear group has a diffractive surface that splits a light beam that passes through the opening into light beams at different wavelengths in the second section and focuses the light beams on different locations in the second section
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical system 10 includes a front group 11, a light-shielding member 4, and a rear group 12 that are arranged in this order in a direction from a side of an object toward a side of an image. The light-shielding member 4 has an opening elongated in a first direction. The front group 11 has an aspherical surface 3, does not image the object at the opening in a first section parallel to the first direction, and forms an intermediate image of the object at the opening in a second section perpendicular to the first direction. The rear group 12 has a diffractive surface 5 that splits a light beam that passes through the opening into light beams at different wavelengths in the second section and focuses the light beams on different locations in the second section. The curvature radius of the aspherical surface 3 in the second section at an on-axis position in the first direction differs from that at an outermost off-axis position in the first direction.