초록 ▼

A plurality of imagers, each responsive to a different wavelength range of light radiation, share the same optical system of lenses. An optical film on a substrate is used to split the light beam emanating from the shared optical system. The first wavelength range is reflected by the film to a first

A plurality of imagers, each responsive to a different wavelength range of light radiation, share the same optical system of lenses. An optical film on a substrate is used to split the light beam emanating from the shared optical system. The first wavelength range is reflected by the film to a first imager. The second wavelength range is transmitted through the film and the substrate to a second imager.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method for multi-spectral imaging comprising the steps of: for simultaneous detection of a first wavelength range and a second wavelength range of radiation comprising: receiving, on a multi-layered beam splitter, of the type having alternating coating layers having relativ

What is claimed is: 1. A method for multi-spectral imaging comprising the steps of: for simultaneous detection of a first wavelength range and a second wavelength range of radiation comprising: receiving, on a multi-layered beam splitter, of the type having alternating coating layers having relatively high and low indices of refraction disposed on a substrate having a relatively high index of refraction, radiation in the first wavelength range and in the second wavelength range; reflecting a portion of reflected radiation which comprises the first wavelength range; transmitting radiation comprising the second wavelength range through a first layer having a relatively high index of refraction of a second layer having a relatively low index of refraction and a substrate; reflecting a portion of a non-reflected portion of the radiation in a manner that is constructively added to the first portion of reflected radiation at a first design wavelength; reflecting a portion of the non-reflected portion of the radiation in a manner that is destructively added to the first portion of reflected radiation at a second design wavelength; maintaining a spatial relationship between the reflected first wavelength range of radiation and the second wavelength range of radiation transmitted through the substrate; detecting a first image in the reflected first wavelength range of radiation; detecting a second image in the second wavelength range of radiation transmitted through the substrate; and creating a multi-spectral image by combining the first image and the second image. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the beam splitter comprises at least six layers of alternating indices of refraction. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein each pair of alternating coating layers are configured for successively enhancing the reflectivity of a substrate surface in a first wavelength range; and minimizing the reflectivity of the substrate surface in a second wavelength range. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein enhancing the reflectivity of a substrate surface in a first wavelength range comprises enhancing the reflectivity of a substrate surface in a visible and near infrared range substantially between 0.4 and 1 micron. 5. The method of claim 3 wherein minimizing the reflectivity of the substrate surface in a second wavelength range comprises minimizing the reflectivity of the substrate surface in a short infrared range substantially between 1 and 3 microns. 6. The method of claim 3 wherein minimizing the reflectivity of the substrate surface in a second wavelength range comprises minimizing the reflectivity of the substrate surface in a medium infrared range substantially between 3 and 5 microns. 7. The method of claim 3 wherein minimizing the reflectivity of the substrate surface in a second wavelength range comprises minimizing the reflectivity of the substrate surface in a long infrared range substantially between 8 and 14 microns. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting a second wavelength range of said radiation through a substrate comprises: receiving said radiation at a structurally sound surface of the substrate so as to limit angular image displacement to less than arctangent (P/F), where P is an imaging sensor pixel dimension and F is an effective focal length on an imaging lens; and absorbing less than approximately 30 percent of the second wavelength range component of said radiation. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein reflecting the first wavelength range comprises reflecting a wavelength range substantially between 0.4 and 1 micron. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the second wavelength range comprises transmitting a wavelength range substantially between 1 and 3 microns. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the second wavelength range comprises transmitting a wavelength range substantially between 3 and 5 microns. 12. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the second wavelength range comprises transmitting a wavelength range substantially between 8 and 14 microns. 13. An apparatus for simultaneous viewing images of multiple spectra via detection of a first wavelength range and a second wavelength range of radiation comprising: optical system capable of receiving radiation in the first wavelength range and the second wavelength range; a multi-layer beam splitter comprising a plurality of coatings having alternating relatively high and low indices of refraction, the beam splitter being capable of reflecting the first wavelength range and transmitting the second wavelength range; wherein the plurality of coatings are capable of: reflecting a first portion of the radiation; allowing a non-reflected portion of the radiation to continue; reflecting a portion of the non-reflected portion of the radiation in a manner that is constructively added to the first portion of reflected radiation at a first design wavelength; reflecting a portion of the non-reflected portion of the radiation in a manner that is destructively added to the first portion of reflected radiation at a second design wavelength; a first detector disposed to be capable of detecting the reflected radiation in the first wavelength range; and a second detector disposed to be capable of detecting the transmitted radiation in the second wavelength range; and a means for combining images from the first detector with images from the second detector. 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the beam splitter comprises: at least six coatings upon a substrate where the coating have alternating high and low indices of refraction. 15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the plurality of coatings deposited on a first surface of the substrate wherein each alternating pair of the plurality of coatings are successively capable of: enhancing reflectivity in first wavelength range; and minimizing reflectivity in a second wavelength range. 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the first wavelength range comprises a visible and near infrared range substantially between 0. 4 and 1 micron. 17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the second wavelength range comprises a visible and near infrared range substantially between 1 and 3 microns. 18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the second wavelength range comprises a medium infrared range substantially between 3 and 5 microns. 19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the second wavelength range comprises a long infrared range substantially between 8 and 14 microns. 20. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the beam splitter comprises a substrate selected from a group consisting of silicon and germanium. 21. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the beam splitter reflects radiation in a range substantially between 0.4 and 1 micron. 22. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the beam splitter transmits radiation in a range substantially between 1 and 3 microns. 23. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the beam splitter transmits radiation in a range substantially between 3 and 5 microns. 24. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the beam splitter transmits radiation in a range substantially between 8 and 14 microns.