Single Element Radiometric Lens for Infrared Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current infrared imaging systems lack efficient methods for maintaining radiometric accuracy and image quality while minimizing system complexity and cost, particularly in focusable optical systems operating within the 8 μm to 14 μm wavelength range.
Innovation Solution
A focusable optical system utilizing a single element radiometric lens with a concave and convex refractive surface, an aperture stop secured relative to the detector, and image processing circuitry to generate digital pixilation data, allowing the lens to be axially displaced for focusing without altering the aperture stop's position relative to the detector, thus maintaining constant illumination and f-number across focus positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single element lens is used, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but maintaining radiometric accuracy and image quality across focus positions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture stop is made movable relative to the lens element, allowing its position to be dynamically adjusted as the lens moves during focusing. This dynamic adjustment maintains a constant distance between the aperture stop and the effective focal point, preserving radiometric accuracy across all focus positions despite using a simple single-element lens design
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the aperture stop relative to the lens element during focusing operations. By adjusting the aperture stop position to maintain a constant relationship with the focal plane, the system preserves illumination consistency and radiometric measurements while using a simplified single-element optical design
2Device complexity
If the aperture stop is fixed relative to the detector, then system simplicity is improved, but radiometric accuracy varies during focusing
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture stop is coupled to the lens element through a mechanical linkage that causes it to move dynamically with the lens during focusing. This dynamic coupling ensures the aperture stop maintains a constant distance from the focal plane, preserving radiometric accuracy without requiring a complex fixed-position mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the lens element and the aperture stop, transmitting the lens movement to the aperture stop in a controlled manner. This intermediary ensures the aperture stop follows the lens position changes while maintaining the correct geometric relationship for accurate radiometric measurements
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lens is displaced axially for focusing, then focusability is achieved, but the distance between the aperture stop and detector changes, altering illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture stop is dynamically positioned to move with the lens element during axial displacement for focusing. This dynamic positioning maintains a constant aperture-to-focal-plane distance, ensuring that illumination intensity and f-number remain consistent across all focus positions despite the lens movement
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the position parameter of the aperture stop in coordination with lens displacement. By adjusting the aperture stop position to compensate for lens movement, the system maintains constant illumination characteristics and f-number throughout the focusing range
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 solution facilitates high image quality, cost savings, and compact lens design, enabling efficient manufacturing and maintaining radiometric accuracy throughout the focusing range, while avoiding total internal reflection and ensuring consistent illumination, thereby enhancing the performance of infrared imaging systems.
Implementation Method 1
a concave refractive surface characterized by a first radius of curvature and a convex refractive surface characterized by a second radius of curvature, a detector element configured to generate electrical signals representative of infrared rays refracted by the lens
Implementation Method 2
an aperture stop disposed around an optical axis of the optical system and secured in a constant position relative to the detector element, the aperture stop configured to limit a cone angle of rays refracted by the lens
Implementation Method 3
a detector element configured to generate electrical signals representative of infrared rays refracted by the lens and incident on the detector element
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure describes systems and apparatuses that include a focusable lens, as well as methods for focusing the optical lens. The focusable lens system includes a single element lens having a concave refractive surface characterized by a first radius of curvature and a convex refractive surface characterized by a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature. A detector element generates electrical signals representative of infrared rays refracted by the single element lens and incident on the detector element, and an aperture stop is disposed around an optical axis of the optical system and secured in a constant position relative to the detector element, the aperture stop configured to limit a cone angle of rays refracted by the single element lens. They system also includes image processing circuitry configured to generate digital pixilation data based on electrical signals generated by the detector element.