Abstract

This paper presents the optical design of high resolution lens systems used with uncooled infrared (IR) detector arrays. As these lower cost arrays proliferate, the need arises for lenses that are faster (i.e. have smaller f/numbers), less expensive, and out perform previously designed lenses for cooled detectors. Many techniques have been explored to increase the performance of IR lenses, however, they do not reduce the complexity or number of surfaces in the optical system [1]. One method of reducing the number of elements and weight while increasing the optical performance is to employ conic surfaces in addition to spherical surfaces.

© 1998 Optical Society of America