초록 ▼

An artificial star is disclosed for use with an optical system (10) that has at least one optical axis (14a). The optical system includes an entrance aperture (14) through which the at least one optical axis passes and a radiation detector (22) having a radiation receiving surface. The optical syste

An artificial star is disclosed for use with an optical system (10) that has at least one optical axis (14a). The optical system includes an entrance aperture (14) through which the at least one optical axis passes and a radiation detector (22) having a radiation receiving surface. The optical system also includes an optical train having at least one optical element (16, 18, 20). The at least one optical train is disposed for receiving radiation from the entrance aperture, for directing the received radiation along the at least one optical axis, and for focussing the received radiation onto the radiation receiving surface of the radiation detector. In accordance with the invention the optical system is provided with a source (26) of electromagnetic radiation that outputs a diverging beam (26a); and also with a holographic optical element (28) disposed at the entrance aperture for receiving the diverging beam, for collimating the diverging beam into a collimated beam (26b), and for directing the collimated beam into the at least one optical train to be parallel with the at least one optical axis. As a result, an image of the source is provided at the radiation receiving surface of the radiation detector, the image functioning as an optical reference, or artificial star, for the purposes of calibration, alignment, and/or system operation verification.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for providing an integral optical reference for an optical system, the optical system having an entrance aperture, an optical axis extending through the entrance aperture, and a radiation detector, the method comprising the steps of: providing an annular holographic optical element within t

A method for providing an integral optical reference for an optical system, the optical system having an entrance aperture, an optical axis extending through the entrance aperture, and a radiation detector, the method comprising the steps of: providing an annular holographic optical element within the entrance aperture around the optical axis; operating a source of electromagnetic radiation to provide a diverging beam to the annular holographic optical element; receiving a portion of the diverging beam with the annular holographic optical element; collimating the received portion of the diverging beam with the annular holographic optical element into a tubular collimated beam; directing the tubular collimated beam with the annular holographic optical element along the optical axis parallel with and around the optical axis to an optical train; and, directing and focussing the tubular collimated beam with the optical train onto a radiation receiving surface of the radiation detector to form an image.