Compact Common Aperture Imager Using Beam Splitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Common aperture optical systems face challenges in providing access to a shared optical component for multiple systems due to tradeoffs between back focal distance requirements and obstructions, leading to difficulties in achieving compact designs with high spectral imaging quality.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical imager system design that includes a collimating optical system and a beam splitter to split electromagnetic radiation into two portions, which are then focused by separate optical systems, reducing the size requirements of the beam splitter and enhancing spectral imaging quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a common aperture system provides access to a shared optical component for multiple systems, then spectral imaging quality is improved, but the physical size and back focal distance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple optical channels (first optical system, second optical system, third optical system) that share a common aperture. Each channel processes different portions of the electromagnetic radiation independently, allowing multiple systems to access the shared aperture simultaneously without interfering with each other's back focal distance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a beam splitter to separate the electromagnetic radiation into different spatial paths (transmitted portion and reflected portion). This dimensional separation in optical space allows multiple optical systems to operate concurrently with different back focal distances while sharing the same aperture, effectively resolving the space-conflict between multiple systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a beam splitter is used to divide electromagnetic radiation for multiple optical systems, then access to shared component is improved, but the beam splitter size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical properties to different portions of the electromagnetic radiation. The beam splitter is configured to transmit a first portion of the radiation while reflecting a second portion, allowing each portion to be optimized for its respective optical system. This local differentiation enables the beam splitter to serve multiple functions without requiring a uniformly large size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters (transmission vs. reflection) of the beam splitter to optimize its size. By configuring the beam splitter to divide the radiation into specific portions with different optical paths, the system reduces the required beam splitter size compared to a configuration that would require a single large beam splitter to handle all radiation for all systems.
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
Enables imaging of a common scene to two or more optical systems in a more compact physical size while maintaining superior spectral imaging quality, addressing the limitations of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical system having at least one refractive or reflective element, the first optical system configured to substantially receive electromagnetic radiation emanating from a source, the first optical system being configured to substantially collimate the electromagnetic radiation emanating from the source
Implementation Method 2
a beam splitter optically disposed to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the first optical system, the beam splitter being configured to substantially transmit a first portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the first optical system and also being configured to substantially reflect a second portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the first optical system
Implementation Method 3
a second optical system having at least one refractive or reflective element, the second optical system being optically disposed to receive the first portion of electromagnetic radiation from the beam splitter and being configured to substantially focus the first portion of electromagnetic radiation to a first image plane
Implementation Method 4
a third optical system having at least one refractive or reflective element, the third optical system being optically disposed to receive the second portion of electromagnetic radiation from the beam splitter and being configured to substantially focus the second portion of electromagnetic radiation to a second image plane
Data Source
AI summary
An optical imager design that is capable of imaging a common scene to two or more optical systems, and is more compact in physical size and superior in throughput than previous designs is disclosed.