Patent ID: 7428106

Claim:
An optical system comprising: a plurality of gradient index rod lenses arranged in an array; in said array, each gradient index rod lens from said plurality of gradient index rod lenses is substantially in proximity with at least one other gradient index rod lens from said plurality of gradient index rod lenses; each one of said plurality of gradient index rod lenses having predetermined characteristics, said predetermined characteristics comprising a predetermined length, a predetermined index gradient, and a predetermined width; at least two gradient index rod lenses from said plurality of gradient index rod lenses having different predetermined characteristics; said array being capable of receiving electromagnetic radiation and of imaging the received electromagnetic radiation onto an image surface; said predetermined characteristics of each gradient index rod lens from said plurality of gradient index rod lenses being selected in order to image a focal locus of the received electromagnetic radiation onto another focal locus of the image surface; a receiving surface from said plurality of gradient index rod lenses receiving electromagnetic radiation emanating from said focal locus; said receiving surface including surfaces from at least two gradient index rod lenses from said array of gradient index rod lenses; at least one focal locus from said focal locus of the received electromagnetic radiation and said another focal locus of the image surface being a curved focal locus.