High-Etendue Rear Adapter for Modular Zoom Lens Vignetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical assemblies for cameras and microscopes suffer from reduced optical quality and increased vignetting when operating at etendue ranges above 0.95 mm2sr, leading to suboptimal performance and reduced illumination at the outer field of view.
Innovation Solution
A modular optical assembly with a core zoom module, lens attachment module, and rear adapter module, configured to maintain high etendue and minimize vignetting, featuring adjustable lens groups and optimized focal lengths to achieve a magnification ratio of 5.5:1 to 16:1 and etendue between 0.95 and 4.65 mm2sr.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing optical assemblies are used to operate at high etendue ranges above 0.95 mm2sr, then the magnification range and zoom capability are achieved, but optical quality deteriorates and vignetting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical assembly is divided into multiple independent lens modules: a zoom module with movable lens groups for magnification adjustment, a tube lens module, and a relay lens module. Each module can be optimized independently for its specific function while working together to maintain high etendue and minimize vignetting across the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements movable lens groups within the zoom module that can dynamically adjust their positions along the optical axis. This dynamic configuration allows the system to maintain optimal optical performance across varying magnification levels and etendue ranges, preventing vignetting by adjusting the lens groups to compensate for changes in the light cone angle.
2Area of stationary object
If existing optical assemblies operate at high etendue ranges, then broader field of view is achieved, but illumination at outer field of view is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The relay lens module is specifically designed with optimized lens elements and spacing to uniformly distribute illumination across the entire field of view. The module acts as an intermediate imaging stage that corrects for the non-uniform illumination caused by the wide angle light cone, ensuring that the outer field of view receives sufficient light intensity even at high etendue operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If zoom range is increased to achieve higher magnification ratio, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested modular architecture where the zoom module with its movable lens groups is contained within a larger assembly that includes the tube lens module and relay lens module. This nesting allows the complex zoom functionality to be isolated in a self-contained module, reducing the overall system complexity by clearly defining interfaces and functional boundaries between modules.
Data Source
AI summary
A rear adapter module for a finite conjugate optical assembly and camera is configured to couple with a core zoom module. A lens assembly of the rear adapter module includes three or more lens elements and has a positive focal length. The lens assembly exhibits a pupil size of between 16 and 25 mm and a pupil depth greater than 50 mm.