Bi-spectral Korsch Telescope Mirror Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-resolution space telescopes with visible and infrared channels face challenges in achieving compactness, low optical bulk, and efficient aberration compensation, particularly when integrating an infrared channel with multiple spectral bands, as current solutions require numerous optics, are costly, and complicate cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A bi-spectral Korsch-type anastigmat telescope design using a fully reflective optical system with three mirrors for the visible channel and two additional mirrors for the infrared channel, where the forms and positions of the infrared mirrors are defined using generalized Korsch equations to minimize optical bulk and aberrations, allowing for simultaneous imaging in both bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fully reflective optical system with multiple mirrors is used to achieve bi-spectral imaging, then imaging quality in both visible and infrared bands is improved, but device complexity and optical bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing mirrors that serve dual purposes: the first and second mirrors are common to both visible and infrared channels, while the third and fourth mirrors handle infrared-specific imaging. This allows a single optical system to perform multiple spectral imaging functions simultaneously, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high imaging quality in both bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is segmented into distinct functional groups: visible channel mirrors (first and second mirrors) and infrared channel mirrors (third and fourth mirrors). This segmentation allows independent optimization of each channel while sharing common components, thereby managing complexity through modular design without compromising imaging quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optics are added to integrate infrared channel, then bi-spectral imaging capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second mirrors serve both visible and infrared channels, reducing the total number of optics required. This multi-functional design lowers manufacturing costs by minimizing the number of precision optical components needed while maintaining full bi-spectral imaging capability through shared optical paths.
3Measurement precision
If infrared detector is cooled to reduce thermal radiation, then infrared imaging quality is improved, but cooling system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the infrared detector and places it in a separate cryostat with its own independent cooling system. This extraction isolates the cooling requirements from the main optical system, allowing the detector to be cooled to the necessary temperature for high-quality infrared imaging while keeping the cooling system complexity contained and separate from the optical components.
4Use of energy by moving object
If off-axis operation is used to allow light passage, then light transmission is improved, but aberration compensation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric mirror tilts (third mirror tilted by α3, fourth mirror tilted by α4) to compensate for aberrations introduced by off-axis operation. This asymmetric configuration allows the optical system to maintain light transmission through off-axis paths while correcting for the resulting aberrations through carefully calculated non-uniform mirror orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes geometric parameters (mirror tilt angles α3 and α4, mirror positions) to simultaneously achieve off-axis light passage and aberration compensation. By adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes both light transmission and image quality without requiring additional optical components.
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 solution results in a compact, cost-effective, and efficient bi-spectral telescope with reduced optical bulk, enabling high-quality imaging in both visible and infrared bands while minimizing the complexity of the cooling system and optical aberrations.
Implementation Method 1
a visible channel comprising three mirrors, a concave first mirror M1, a convex second mirror M2 and a concave third mirror M3... an infrared channel comprising first and second mirrors in common with the visible channel, a third IR mirror M3ir, a fourth IR mirror M4ir
Data Source
AI summary
A Bi-spectral Korsch-type anastigmat telescope has an optical axis and a visible channel comprising a concave first mirror, a convex second mirror and a concave third mirror and a visible detector that is sensitive in a visible band, the mirrors being arranged so that the first mirror and the second mirror form, of an object at infinity, an intermediate image located between the second mirror and the third mirror, the third mirror forming, from this intermediate image, a final image in the visible focal plane of the telescope, wherein the visible detector is placed, an infrared channel comprising first and second mirrors in common with the visible channel, a third IR mirror, a fourth IR mirror, and an IR detector that is sensitive in an infrared band, the third and fourth IR mirrors being configured to form, from the intermediate image, a final image in an IR focal plane.