Patent ID: 6678095
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An anamorphic optical system, comprising:a. a first prism, wherein said first prism comprises: i. a first surface; ii. a second surface, wherein a first plane underlying said first surface intersects with a second plane underlying said second surface, and said first and second planes intersect at a first apex; iii. a first base boundary, wherein said first surface comprises a first edge that is distal to said first apex, said second surface comprises a second edge that is distal to said first apex, and said first base boundary extends between said first edge and said second edge; and iv. at least one optical medium between said first surface and said second surface; b. a second prism, wherein said second prism comprises: i. a third surface; ii. a fourth surface, wherein a third plane underlying said third surface intersects with a fourth plane underlying said fourth surface, and said third and fourth planes intersect at a second apex; iii. a second base boundary, wherein said third surface comprises a third edge that is distal to said second apex, said fourth surface comprises a fourth edge that is distal to said second apex, and said second base boundary extends between said third edge and said fourth edge; and iv. at least one optical medium between said third surface and said fourth surface, wherein said first and second prisms are arranged in a complementary relationship, so that said first apex is aligned with said second base boundary and said first base boundary is aligned with said second apex, said first and second prism in combination are adapted to provide for anamorphic magnification of an incident beam of light when said incident beam of light passes through said first and second surfaces and said at least one optical medium of said first prism, and said third and fourth surfaces and said at least one optical medium of second prism, and said first and second prism in combination generate at least one first aberration in said incident beam of light; and c. at least one curved refractive element operatively associated with said first and second prism, wherein said at least one curved refractive element exhibits asymmetric optical power relative to a direction of anamorphic power and to an orthogonal direction thereto, and said at least one curved refractive element generates a second aberration in said incident beam of light that at least partially compensates for at least one of said at least one first aberration when said incident beam of light passes through said first prism, said second prism and said curved refractive element.