Patent ID: 6084727
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An all-reflective field-switching optical imaging system for use with an optical device having a substantially collimated optical beam coincident with an optical axis and forming a nominal pupil at a pupil plane, the optical imaging system comprising:a pupil-reimaging mirror array spatially separated from the optical axis and having an incident beam with a first pupil and an output beam with a second pupil; anda beam diverter mirror array comprising a first beam diverter mirror and a second beam diverter mirror; said beam diverter mirror array directs said optical beam from its path coincident with said optical axis and into said pupil-reimaging mirror array as said incident beam, and controllably movable between a first position where the beam diverter mirror array does not intercept the optical axis and does not divert the optical beam, and a second position where the beam diverter mirror array intercepts the optical axis and diverts the optical beam;said first beam diverter mirror positioned so as to direct the optical beam to the pupil-reimaging mirror array as its incident beam with the first pupil the same size as the nominal pupil, when the first beam diverter mirror intercepts the optical axis, andsaid second beam diverter mirror positioned so as to receive the output beam of the pupil-reimaging mirror array and reflect the output beam so as to be coaxial with the optical axis, and with the second pupil concentric and coplanar with a location of the nominal pupil when the beam diverter mirror array is in the first position, when the second beam diverter mirror intercepts the optical axis.