Patent ID: 7385767
Filing Date: 2008-06-10
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A zoom optical system, comprising: a stop, and an optical element located on an object side of the zoom optical system with respect to said stop, wherein: said optical element has at least one optical function surface, wherein said at least one optical function surface comprises a continuous surface and is constructed such that a line of intersection of a given reference plane with said optical function surface is configured such that there is a continuous change in at least a radius of curvature from one end toward another end, and said optical element is rotated about a given axis of rotation to implement zooming, wherein: given an axial chief ray defined by a light ray that is incident from a distant object on said optical function surface located nearest to the object side of the zoom optical system, arriving at a center of an image plane through a center of said stop, said given reference plane is defined by a direction vector of said axial chief ray in a direction toward said distant object and a vector that passes through a center of said stop and is vertical to a stop plane, and said given axis of rotation is an axis that passes through a point that is not contiguous to said optical function surface within said given reference plane and is vertical to said given reference plane.