Schmidt Corrector Immersion Lens for 20-Degree mm-Wave Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional millimeter-wave (mm-wave) imaging systems have a limited field of view of approximately 4-5 degrees, necessitating the use of bulky and power-intensive gimbals for pointing, which increases volume, weight, and power requirements.
Innovation Solution
A mm-wave optical imaging system utilizing a Schmidt aspheric corrector, a positive power primary mirror, and an immersion lens with a curved first surface and planar second surface, providing a field of view of approximately 20 degrees, eliminating the need for gimbals and enabling a compact, fast optical system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional mm-wave optics are used, then the system has a simple optical structure, but the field of view is limited to approximately 4-5 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into multiple specialized components: a Schmidt corrector plate for field curvature correction, a positive power primary mirror for light collection, and an immersion lens for focal plane imaging. Each component addresses specific optical requirements, enabling a 20-degree field of view while maintaining manageable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional detector arrays to a three-dimensional immersion lens structure that extends into the optical path. The immersion lens creates a refractive index gradient that expands the effective field of view beyond what flat detectors can achieve, adding a dimensional aspect to light collection
2Adaptability or versatility
If a gimbal arrangement is used to achieve wide field of view, then the field of view increases, but the volume, weight, and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gimbal system with an optical solution using a Schmidt corrector plate and immersion lens. This substitution eliminates moving mechanical parts while achieving the same wide field of view through optical design, thereby reducing weight, volume, and power requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the refractive index parameter by introducing an immersion lens with high refractive index material. This parameter change allows light from wider angles to be focused onto the detector without requiring mechanical movement, achieving wide field of view without gimbal weight
3Adaptability or versatility
If a gimbal arrangement is used to achieve wide field of view, then the field of view increases, but the power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the power-consuming mechanical gimbal system with a passive optical system using the Schmidt corrector plate and immersion lens. This eliminates the need for motors, sensors, and control systems that would consume power, achieving wide field of view without additional power requirements
4Volume of moving object
If the imaging detector is directly coupled to the planar second surface of the field lens, then the optical path is compact, but the alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The immersion lens acts as an intermediary element between the field lens and the imaging detector. By coupling the detector directly to the planar second surface of the immersion lens, the system creates a fixed mechanical interface that simplifies alignment while maintaining compact optical path volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a specialized anti-reflective coating to the planar second surface of the immersion lens where it contacts the detector. This local treatment reduces reflections and improves coupling efficiency at the critical interface, compensating for the tight alignment requirements through enhanced local optical properties
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 system achieves a wide field of view of 20 degrees, reducing the need for gimbals and associated volume, weight, and power requirements, while maintaining low aberrations and aperture obscuration, and allowing for fast optical speed and efficient mm-wave imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a Schmidt aspheric corrector configured to receive and direct the electromagnetic radiation towards the primary mirror
Implementation Method 2
a positive power primary mirror configured to reflect the electromagnetic radiation towards the field lens
Implementation Method 3
a field lens directly coupled to the imaging detector and configured to focus the electromagnetic radiation onto the imaging detector
Implementation Method 4
focusing the electromagnetic radiation with the immersion lens onto a focal plane located on a rear surface of the immersion lens
Data Source
AI summary
Millimeter-wave optical imaging systems and methods. In one example, a mm-wave optical imaging system includes a mm-wave imaging detector located at a focal plane of the optical imaging system, an immersion lens directly coupled to the imaging detector and configured to focus the electromagnetic radiation onto the imaging detector, the immersion lens having a curved first surface and an opposing planar second surface, wherein the focal plane is located on the planar second surface and the imaging detector is directly coupled to the planar second surface, a positive power primary mirror configured to reflect the electromagnetic radiation towards the immersion lens, and a Schmidt aspheric corrector configured to receive and direct the electromagnetic radiation towards the primary mirror, wherein the system aperture stop is located on the Schmidt aspheric corrector.