Catadioptric Optical System Aberration Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catadioptric optical systems face challenges in downsizing while maintaining high image forming performance and effectively correcting various types of aberration, with limitations in the number of elements and placement of refractive and reflective surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The optical system incorporates a first reflecting region, a second reflecting region, and a third refracting region with specific convex and concave shapes, allowing light to proceed sequentially through refracting and reflecting regions to form an image plane, thereby downsizing the system and correcting aberrations such as comatic aberration and magnification chromatic aberration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the number of catadioptric elements is increased to correct various types of aberration, then image forming performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions into integrated catadioptric elements. Each element integrates both refracting surfaces and reflecting surfaces, allowing a single element to perform multiple optical functions that would traditionally require separate components. This merging approach corrects various aberrations while keeping the total number of elements manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The catadioptric elements are designed with multi-functionality, where each element simultaneously contributes to aberration correction, optical path folding, and image formation. The elements are configured to correct multiple types of aberrations (spherical, comatic, chromatic) while also enabling system downsizing through integrated design.
2Manufacturing precision
If refractive elements are placed on the physical body side of the reflecting element to correct aberration, then image forming performance is improved, but the system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the optical axis dimension strategically by configuring reflecting surfaces with specific convex/concave orientations. The first reflecting surface has convex shape toward the enlargement side while the second has convex shape toward the reduction side, creating an folded optical path that corrects aberrations without extending system length. This dimensional arrangement allows refractive and reflective surfaces to work together compactly.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical elements are arranged in a nested configuration where catadioptric elements are positioned to fold the optical path back on itself. The elements are configured such that light proceeds sequentially through refracting and reflecting regions in a compact arrangement, with later elements positioned to receive light from earlier elements without requiring linear extension of the system.
3Volume of moving object
If the optical path is folded using convex reflecting surfaces to downsize the system, then system size is reduced, but aberration correction becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface curvatures and orientations at different locations within the optical elements. The first reflecting surface has convex shape toward the enlargement side while the second reflecting surface has convex shape toward the reduction side. This local variation in surface quality allows the system to fold the optical path for downsizing while simultaneously correcting aberrations introduced by the folded configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system employs asymmetric configuration of reflecting and refracting surfaces. The convex/concave orientations are deliberately asymmetric relative to the optical axis, with the first catadioptric element having different surface configurations than the second element. This asymmetry enables effective aberration correction in the folded optical path while maintaining compact system size.
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
This configuration enables a small-sized optical system with high image forming performance, effectively correcting aberrations and improving brightness and resolution, while allowing for flexible placement of optical elements to avoid interference with image sensors or display elements.
Implementation Method 1
light from the enlargement side proceeds to a reduction side sequentially via a refracting region of a first optical element
Implementation Method 2
the reduction-side surface of the second optical element or the enlargement-side surface of the third optical element includes a second reflecting region
Implementation Method 3
a first optical element including a first reflecting region having a convex shape toward an enlargement side
Implementation Method 4
a refracting region of the third optical element
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system includes a first optical element including a first reflecting region having a convex shape toward an enlargement side, a second optical element having a reduction-side surface having a convex shape toward the enlargement side, and a third optical element having an enlargement-side surface having a convex shape toward the enlargement side, wherein the reduction-side surface of the second optical element or the enlargement-side surface of the third optical element includes a second reflecting region, wherein the third optical element includes a refracting region having positive power, and wherein light from the enlargement side proceeds to a reduction side sequentially through a refracting region of the first optical element, the second reflecting region, the first reflecting region, a refracting region of the second optical element, and the refracting region of the third optical element.