Lockheed Martin Corporation

Johann M Veras

David R Twede

Clara Rivero Baleine

Don A Larson

Gary C Vanstone

Patricia Skelley Sharek

Erwan A P Baleine

Robert J McCarty

The embodiments relate to systems and methods for wavefront error (WFE) correction of a conformal optical component using a planar lens. The embodiments include a conformal optical component transmissive to electromagnetic radiation (EMR), which is propagated through the conformal optical component along a path axis. The conformal optical component is rotationally asymmetric about the path axis. A planar corrector lens is configured to correct a WFE of the conformal optical component. The planar corrector lens defines a lens axis. Accordingly, use of a single planar corrector lens for WFE correction of a conformal optical component reduces bulk and manufacturing complexity.

Wavefront error correction of a conformal optical component using a planar lens

An optical element is disclosed. The optical element includes a plurality of layers. The plurality of layers includes a notch filter array that has a plurality of notch filter elements. Each notch filter element is configured to filter out energy within at least one wavelength band of interest. The plurality of layers further includes a polarization-responsive grid array having a plurality of polarization elements and includes a microlens array having a plurality of microlens elements. Each microlens element is configured to image a portion of a scene onto an image plane.

Multi-layered optical element

An imaging device includes a detector array and an aperture disposed along an optical path, with an array of filter elements positioned within the aperture in the optical path. Each filter element is configured to filter out energy that is within a unique wavelength band of interest within a wavelength spectrum of interest, to form filtered energy within the wavelength spectrum of interest that is outside the unique wavelength band of interest. The filtered energy is passed from each filter element to a plurality subsets of non-contiguous detector elements in the detector array, which in turn each generate one or more detector values based on the received energy. The detector values may be processed to determine an intensity value for the wavelength band of interest.

Hyperspectral notch filter imaging

An imaging device includes a detector array and an aperture disposed along an optical path, with an array of filter elements disposed in the optical path therebetween. The detector array has a plurality of detector elements that are sensitive to a wavelength spectrum of interest, such as, for example, the visible spectrum and/or the infrared (IR) spectrum. Each filter element is configured to filter out energy within the wavelength spectrum of interest that is in a wavelength band of interest to form filtered energy within the wavelength spectrum of interest that is outside the wavelength band of interest. The filtered energy is passed by each filter to at least one corresponding detector element, which generates one or more detector values based on the received energy. The detector values may be processed to determine an intensity value for the wavelength band of interest.

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Orlando, FL, United States of America

Johann M Veras