Patent ID: 7701647
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A catadioptric imager comprising: a first refractive optical element optically disposed to receive electromagnetic radiation from an object and having positive optical power; a first group of optical elements comprising a refractive element and one optical reflective surface; said first group of optical elements being optically disposed between said first refractive optical element and an image plane and having positive optical power; the optical reflective surface of the group of optical elements being located proximate to the image plane; a second group of optical elements comprising a refractive element and one optical reflective surface and having negative optical power; said second group of optical elements being substantially centered with respect to said first refractive optical element and optically disposed between the source and said first group of optical elements; said second group of optical elements comprising a portion of a single-piece structure, said single-piece structure also comprising said first refractive optical element; said optical reflective surface of said second group of optical elements being disposed proximate to the source; a second refractive optical element substantially centered with respect to said first group of optical elements and having negative optical power; said second refractive optical element comprising of a portion of another single-piece structure, said another single-piece structure also comprising said first group of optical elements; said single-piece structure comprising first means for alignment; said another single-piece structure comprising second means for alignment; said first and said second means for alignment being adapted to substantially mate to each another; and, a third refractive group of optical element having at least one element and having positive optical power; said third refractive group of optical element being optically disposed between said second refractive optical element and the image plane; said second refractive optical element being optically disposed between said second group of optical elements and said third refractive optical element.