Imaging Research Inc.

Boeing North American, Inc.

Lightpath Technologies, Inc.

Kenneth R Castle

Peter Ramm

Gang Sun

Timothy Ormsby

Rolf Mueller

Tilman W Stuhlinger

John E Davis

Marion N Todd

Mitchell Ruda

Paul K Manhart

Mitchell C Ruda

An electronic imaging system is disclosed, for assessing the intensity of colorimetric, fluorescent or luminescent signal in a matrix consisting of wells, microwells, hybridization dot blots on membranes, gels, or other specimens. The system includes a very sensitive area CCD detector, a fast, telecentric lens with epi-illumination, a reflective/transmissive illumination system, an illumination wavelength selection device, and a light-tight chamber. A computer and image analysis software are used to control the hardware, correct and calibrate the images, and detect and quantify targets within the images.

Digital imaging system for assays in well plates, gels and blots

An electronic imaging system is disclosed, for assessing the intensity of calorimetric, fluorescent or luminescent signal in a matrix consisting of wells, microwells, hybridization dot blots on membranes, gels, or other specimens. The system includes a very sensitive area CCD detector, a fast, telecentric lens with epi-illumination, a reflective/transmissive illumination system, an illumination wavelength selection device, and a light-tight chamber. A computer and image analysis software are used to control the hardware, correct and calibrate the images, and detect and quantify targets within the images.

An optics assembly for observing a panoramic scene comprises a plurality of optical elements. A flat reflective element redirects light from a panoramic scene. A plurality of refractive elements, successively receive the redirected light from the reflective element and create a real pupil. An optical relay system receives light from a last of the plurality of refractive elements. The optical relay system establishes the focal length of the optics assembly, corrects optical aberrations produced at the real pupil, corrects field aberrations and produces an annular image on a flat focal plane assembly. The optics assembly produces a small F-number at field angles perpendicular to the optical axis of the optics assembly over a panoramic scene.

Panoramic optics assembly having an initial flat reflective element

An optics assembly for observing a panoramic scene. The optics assembly includes a plurality of optical elements. A first element redirects light from the panoramic scene. The optical power of the first element forms an imaginary pupil. The energy from the first element is redirected about 90 degrees, forming an annular path. A second element receives the redirected light and re-images the imaginary pupil to form a real pupil. This portion of the energy continues to be in an annular form. A third element includes an optical relay system having a group of reimaging optics. The third element receives light from the second element while relaying the real pupil into the reimaging optics. It also establishes the focal length of the optics assembly, corrects pupil aberrations produced at the real pupil, corrects field aberrations and produces an annular image on a flat focal plane. The optical relay system interfaces with the second element through the use of the real pupil. The real pupil is formed at the cold stop and filter location in the third element. This pupil is relayed back through the system to be coincident with the first real pupil. The optics assembly produces a small F-number at field angles near perpendicular to the output optical axis of the optics assembly over a panoramic scene.

Optics assembly for observing a panoramic scene

A lens element (40) is formed from a monolithic unit (46) having two sections (46A and 46B) aligned on an optical axis. A selected one of the sections has an axial gradient refractive index, and the other has a homogeneous refractive index. A first surface 42 is generated one section and a second surface is generated on the other. The axial gradient index material may be selected such that third order spherical aberration of the element is zero. The axial gradient index material may be selected such that similarly constructed elements having shape factors between about 0 and 2.0 also have zero third order spherical aberration. Another element (20) may be formed entirely from an axially graded refractive index material. The refractive index preferably varies as a non-linear function of at least distance along the optical axis. The refractive index function and index change may be selected such that a selected third order aberration is zero or some constant value over a wide range of shape factor. An element (98) is formed from a material having an axial gradient dispersion. Shape factor and dispersion gradient may be selected such that the element is achromatic.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Kenneth R Castle