Ty Martinez (Naval Research Laboratory), Freddie Santiago (Naval Research Laboratory), David V. Wick (Sandia National Laboratory), Brett E. Bagwell (Sandia National Laboratory), Sergio R. Restaino (Naval Research Laboratory), Christopher Wilcox (Naval Research Laboratory), Jonathan Andrews (Naval Research Laboratory), Don M. Payne (Narrascape)
Keywords: Instrumentation Design
Abstract:
In order to optically vary the magnification of an imaging system, continuous mechanical zoom lenses require multiple optical elements and use fine mechanical motion to precisely adjust the separations between groups of lenses. By incorporating active elements into the optical design, imaging systems that are capable of variable optical magnification with no macroscopic moving parts are possible. Changing the effective focal length and magnification of an imaging system can be accomplished by positioning two or more active optics in an optical design. In this application, the active optics (deformable mirrors) serve as variable focal-length lenses and steering mirrors making an active optical zoom system that can zoom in on off-axis points on the image and therefore track objects in the field of view of the system. We will present results from a bench top system.
Date of Conference: September 16-19, 2008
Track: Instrumentation Design