Optical system

US8203702B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Arete Associates · US

Inventors

• David M. Kane · Tucson, US
• Kelly Hillman · Tucson, US
• Christopher Hornberg · Tucson, US
• John Hunt · Tucson, US
• Andrew E. Paul · Tucson, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 14, 2008
• Grant date: Jun 19, 2012
• Expiry date: Oct 6, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B13/04
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Method/system locate external articles using source, detector (PSD), entrance aperture, and magnifying/reducing afocal element—expanding FOR>90°, or refining precision. Between (1) source or detector and (2) aperture, at least one plural-axis-rotatable mirror addresses source/detector throughout FOR. ½- to 15-centimeter mirror enables ˜25 to ˜45 μradian beam divergence. Aperture, afocal element, and mirror(s) define source-detector path. Mirror(s) rotate in refractory- (or air/magnetic-) bearing mount; or mirror array. Auxiliary optics illuminate mirror back, monitoring return to measure (null-balance feedback) angle. To optimize imaging, auxiliary radiation propagates via splitters toward array (paralleling measurement paths), then focusing on imaging detector. Focal quality is developed as a PSF, optimized vs. angle; stored results later recover optima. Mirror drive uses magnet(s) on mirror(s). “Piston” motion yields in-phase wavefronts, so array dimensions set diffraction limit. Also: destructive reply; scaling optimizes acceleration vs. thickness; passive systems.