Imaging apparatus

Abstract

Imaging apparatus including an image intensifier and first and second assemblies for filtering or color encoding incident light before it is received by the image intensifier, and produced light emitted from the image intensifier, respectively. An objective lens and an eyepiece are provided for passing the incident light to the first filtering assembly and for passing the produced light to a predetermined location, preferably to an observer. The first and second filtering or encoding assemblies remove from the light, components falling within at least one predetermined range of frequencies. The filtering assemblies may be two disks, an input disk and an output disk, positioned on opposing sides of the image intensifier. Each disk may have one or more filters. Each filter is adapted for removing from the light all components except those having a wavelength falling within a predetermined range of wavelengths. Alternatively, the filtering or encoding assemblies may be a cylinder that defines passages along its circumference through which light can pass. Each passage receives a filter. One or two image intensifiers and a member for rotating the cylinder about its longitudinal axis are positioned within the cylinder. In both embodiments, the filters are alternately and repetitively positioned between the image intensifier and the source of the incident light on the input side and between the image intensifier and the location to which the produced light is directed on the output side.