Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Infrared objective lens systems

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5441560

An infrared objective lens system comprises a primary lens group air spaced from a secondary lens group by means of a support assembly. The primary lens group and secondary lens group are aligned on a common optical axis and are arranged to form a real image at an external image surface from infrared radiation entering the system through a pupil in object space. Primary lens group is self-compensated for chromatic aberrations, is positively powered and is made of material the refractive index of which is relatively temperature insensitive such as arsenic triselenide and/or zinc selenide. The secondary lens group is positively powered, introduces minimal chromatic aberrations and is formed by a positively powered lens and a negatively powered lens. Lens is made of material the refractive index of which is relatively temperature insensitive such as arsenic triselenide. Lens is made of a material the refractive index of which is relatively temperature sensitive such as germanium and the thermal aberration introduced by lens is arranged to compensate for thermal aberrations introduced by the primary lens group and secondary lens group caused by thermal expansion of the support assembly as a result of which the system is rendered substantially passively athermal.

Assignee:
Barr and Stroud Limited
Patent Number(s):
US 4505535
OSTI ID:
5441560
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English