Fast 8- to 12-um objectives utilizing multiple aspheric surfaces

David G. Latimer; Louis R. Fantozzi

doi:10.1117/12.354492

26 July 1999 Fast 8- to 12-μm objectives utilizing multiple aspheric surfaces

David G. Latimer, Louis R. Fantozzi

Proceedings Volume 3698, Infrared Technology and Applications XXV; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.354492
Event: AeroSense '99, 1999, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

As the market for uncooled 8-12 micrometers thermal imaging cameras continues to expand and prices decrease the expense of the objective lens is increasingly becoming the major factor for total system cost. Limited mainly to expensive raw materials for lens element substrates and requiring costly optical polishing man-hours for manufacture, the lens costs have been difficult to reduce without sacrificing optical performance. A family of fast objective lenses has been designed for uncooled long wave IR cameras that utilize multiple diamond turned aspheric surfaces to reduce the size and number of lens elements. The cost of the objective is thereby reduced without giving up any of the necessary optical performance while at the same time gaining improvements in overall size and weight. A description is given of this family lenses and its inherent advantages. The effectiveness of this solution is demonstrated with several examples that have been manufactured and fielded.

Citation Download Citation

David G. Latimer and Louis R. Fantozzi "Fast 8- to 12-μm objectives utilizing multiple aspheric surfaces", Proc. SPIE 3698, Infrared Technology and Applications XXV, (26 July 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.354492

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available