Patent US4999005A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4999005A
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Wide band color correcting infrared lens system
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1988-10-19
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Granted: 1991-03-12
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Expires: 2008-10-19
Abstract
Abstract An infrared refractive lens triplet having color correcting properties for radiation within the 3 to 13 micrometer spectral band. In certain embodiments of the invention the triplet is capable of simultaneously focusing radiation in the 3-5 micrometer and the 8-12 micrometer atmospheric windows for imaging about a single focal plane. In these embodiments one lens comprises germanium and another is formed of materials selected from the group consisting of sulfides and selenides of zinc and combinations thereof. A third lens is a glass characterized by chromic properties corresponding approximately to 40<V<46 with V=(N.sub.D -1)/(N.sub.13 -N.sub.3), wherein: N D is the refractive index at 8 micrometers, N 13 is the refractive index at 13 micrometers, and N 3 is the refractive index at 3 micrometers.
Inventors
- 👤 Erwin E. Cooper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:49
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B13/00; G02B13/14; G02B13/146
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An optional system which comprises: (a) an infrared refractive lens triplet having color correcting properties for radiation ranging from about 3.5 to about 12 micrometers, said triplet comprising: (b) a first lens having chromic properties corresponding approximately to about 40 <V <46, where: V =(N.sub.D - 1)/(N.sub.13 -N.sub.3), ps wherein, for said first lens glass: N D is the refractive index at 8 micrometers, N 13 is the refractive index at 13 micrometers, and N 3 is the refractive index at 3 micrometers; (c) a second lens comprising germanium; and (d) a third lens; (e) said triplet of lenses being capable of simultaneously focusing radiation in the 3.5 -≡micrometer and the 8 -12 micrometer range for imaging about a single focal plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
An optional system which comprises: (a) an infrared refractive lens triplet having color correcting properties for radiation ranging from about 3.5 to about 12 micrometers, said triplet comprising: (b) a first lens having chromic properties corresponding approximately to about 40 <V <46, where: V =(N.sub.D - 1)/(N.sub.13 -N.sub.3), ps wherein, for said first lens glass: N D is the refractive index at 8 micrometers, N 13 is the refractive index at 13 micrometers, and N 3 is the refractive index at 3 micrometers; (c) a second lens comprising germanium; and (d) a third lens; (e) said triplet of lenses being capable of simultaneously focusing radiation in the 3.5 -≡micrometer and the 8 -12 micrometer range for imaging about a single focal plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said triplet of lenses is capable of simultaneously focusing radiation throughout the 3.4 to 13 micrometer range for imaging upon a single focal plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the first lens is a chalcogenide glass and said triplet is capable of simultaneously focusing radiation throughout the 3 to 12 micrometer range for imaging upon a single focal plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 3 wherein: the first lens is a positive element; the second lens is a negative element having a power between 0.2 and 0.3 that of the first lens; and the third lens is a negative element having a power between 0.5 and 0.6 that of the first lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the power of the second lens is 0.24 that of the first lens and the power of the third lens is 0.52 that of the first lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the triplet is ordered such that incoming radiation is first received by the first lens and last transmitted by the third lens.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 3 wherein: the first lens is a positive element; the second lens is a negative element having a power between 0.40 and 0.48 that of the first lens; and the third lens is a negative element having a power between 0.18 and 0.26 that of the first lens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the power of the second lens is 0.44 that of the first lens and the power of the third lens is 0.22 that of the first lens.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the triplet is ordered such that incoming radiation is first received by the first lens and last transmitted by the third lens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the first lens is a ternary glass composition comprising germanium, antimony and selenium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the first lens glass predominantly comprises geranium, antimony and selenium according to the formula GE 28 Sb 12 Se 60 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the first lens is predominantly a ternary glass composition comprising germanium, arsenic and selenium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the first lens glass predominantly comprises germanium, arsenic and selenium according to the formula Ge 33 As 12 Se 55 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the third lens is a chalcogenide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the third lens predominantly comprises zinc sulfide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the third lens predominantly comprises zinc selenide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the first and third lenses are each a chalcogenide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the second lens predominantly comprises germanium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 1 wherein: the first lens is selected from the group of glasses consisting of Ge X Sb Y Se Z and Ge X As Y Se Z ; and the third lens is formed of materials selected from the group consisting of sulfides and selenides of zinc and combinations thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein: the first lens predominantly comprises germanium, antimony and selenium according to the formula Ge 28 Sb 12 Se 60 ; and the third lens predominantly comprises zinc sulfide.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein: the first lens predominantly comprises germanium, arsenic and selenium according to the formula Ge 33 As 12 Se 55 ; and the third lens predominantly comprises zinc sulfide;
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein: the first lens predominantly comprising germanium, antimony and selenium according to the formula Ge 28 Sb 12 Se 60 ; and the third lens predominantly comprises zinc selenide.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein: the first lens predominantly comprises germanium, arsenic and selenium according to the formula Ge 33 As 12 Se 55 ; and the third lens predominantly comprises zinc selenide.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 further including a second lens group arranged to provide lateral color correction to radiation transmitted by the triplet, the triplet and second lens group forming an afocal lens system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
91 words
The system of claim 24 wherein: the first lens is a positive element having V =43; the second lens is a negative element having a power between 0.40 and 0.48 that of the first lens; the third lens is a negative element formed of zinc sulfide and having a power between pb 0.18 and 0.26 that of the first lens; and the second lens group comprises a positive lens having V=43, a negative lens formed of zinc sulfide, a second positive lens having V=43 and a third positive lens having V=43.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 1 further including a second lens group arranged to correct for off axis color aberrations and wherein the first lens is a positive element having V=44.6, the triplet and second lens group forming an imaging lens system.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
86 words
The system of claim 26 wherein: the triplet and second lens group form an f/1.5 imaging lens system; the second lens is a negative element having a power between 0.20 and 0.30 that of the first lens; the third lens is a negative element formed of zinc selenide and having a power between 0.50 and 0.60 that of the first lens; and the second lens group comprises a positive lens having V=44.6, a negative lens formed of germanium and a negative lens formed of zinc selenide.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
66 words
A wide spectral band infrared lens system comprising: a first lens formed of a ternary composition according to the formula Ge X Sb Y Se Z ; a second lens comprising germanium; and a third lens comprising zinc sulfide, said lens system capable of simultaneously focusing radiation in the 3 -5 micrometer and the 8 -12 micrometer atmospheric windows for imaging about a single focal plane.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
66 words
A wide spectral band infrared lens system comprising: a first lens formed of a ternary composition according to the formula Ge X Sb Y Se Z ; a second lens comprising germanium; and a third lens comprising zinc sulfide, said lens system capable of simultaneously focusing radiation in the 3 -5 micrometer and the 8 -12 micrometer atmospheric windows for imaging about a single focal plane.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 28 wherein the first lens is formed of a ternary composition according to the formula Ge 28 Sb 12 Se 60 .
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 28 wherein: the first lens is a positive element; the second lens is a negative element having a power between 0.40 and 0.48 that of the first lens; and the third lens is a negative element having a power between 0.18 and 0.26 that of the first lens.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the power of the second lens is 0.44 that of the first lens and the power of the third lens is 0.22 that of the first lens.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 28 wherein the triplet is ordered such that incoming radiation is first received by the first lens and last transmitted by the third time.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
66 words
A wide spectral band infrared lens system comprising: a first lens formed of a ternary composition according to the formula Ge X As Y Se Z ; a second lens comprising germanium; and a third lens comprising zincl selenide, said lens system capable of simultaneously focusing radiation in the 3 -5 micrometer and the 9 -12 micrometer atmospheric windows for imaging about a single focal plane.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
66 words
A wide spectral band infrared lens system comprising: a first lens formed of a ternary composition according to the formula Ge X As Y Se Z ; a second lens comprising germanium; and a third lens comprising zincl selenide, said lens system capable of simultaneously focusing radiation in the 3 -5 micrometer and the 9 -12 micrometer atmospheric windows for imaging about a single focal plane.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 33 wherein the first lens is formed of a ternary composition according to the formula Ge 33 As 12 Se 55 .
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 33 wherein: the first lens is a positive element; the second lens is a negative element having a power between 0.02 and 0.3 that of the first lens; and the third lens is a negative element having a power between 0.5 and 0.6 that of the first lens.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 35 wherein the power of the second lens is 0.24 that of the first lens and the power of the third lens is 0.52 that of the first lens.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 33 wherein the triplet is ordered such that incoming radiation is first received by the first lens and last transmitted by the third lens.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
99 words
An infrared refractive lens triplet having color correcting properties for radiation ranging from 3 to 13 micrometers, said triplet comprising: a first lens formed of glass characterized by chromic properties corresponding approximately to 40 <V <46, V=(N.sub.D -1)/(N.sub.13 -N.sub.3), wherein for said first lens glass: N D is the refractive index at 8 micrometers, N 13 is the refractive index at 13 micrometers, and N 3 is the refractive index at 3 micrometers; a second lens comprising germanium; and a third lens formed of materials selected from the group consisting of sulfides and selenides of zinc and combinations thereof.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
99 words
An infrared refractive lens triplet having color correcting properties for radiation ranging from 3 to 13 micrometers, said triplet comprising: a first lens formed of glass characterized by chromic properties corresponding approximately to 40 <V <46, V=(N.sub.D -1)/(N.sub.13 -N.sub.3), wherein for said first lens glass: N D is the refractive index at 8 micrometers, N 13 is the refractive index at 13 micrometers, and N 3 is the refractive index at 3 micrometers; a second lens comprising germanium; and a third lens formed of materials selected from the group consisting of sulfides and selenides of zinc and combinations thereof.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
35 words
The lens triplet of claim 38 wherein the lens powers are formulated to simultaneously focus radiation in the 3 -5 micrometer and the 8 -12 micrometer atmospheric windows for imaging about a single focal plane.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lens triplet of claim 39 wherein said triplet is capable of simultaneously focusing radiation throughout the 3 to 12 micrometer range for imaging upon a single focal plane.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
The triplet of claim c8 wherein the first lens glass predominantly comprises germanium, antimony and selenium according to the formula Ge 28 Sb 12 Se 60 .
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
The triplet of claim 38 wherein the first lens glass predominantly comprises germanium, arsenic and selenium according to the formula Ge 33 As 12 Se 55 .
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lens triplet of claim 38 wherein the lens powers are formulated to simultaneously focus all radiation in the 3.5 14 13 micrometer range for imaging about a single focal plane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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