Abstract

A novel technique for passive athermalization of optical systems is disclosed. The technique employs a powerless diffractive phase plate that is called a Stepped Diffractive Surface (SDS). It is shown that the optothermal properties of a SDS are substantially different from refractive, reflective or diffractive (kinoform) surfaces. The technique was used to effectively athermalize a refractive plastic singlet without affecting its optical power.

© 2000 Optical Society of America