Field-Separated Multi-Path Telescope

UAH-P-13009-Field-Separated Multi-Path Telescope

Docket: UAH-P-13009

Technology

Two-mirror telescope designs image a small well-corrected circular field-of-view (FOV) about the optical axis of the two mirrors. Three-mirror designs use a primary, secondary, and tertiary mirror to increase the range of the FOV, but this range is still limited. One type of three-mirror telescope has a very well-corrected annular zone FOV and does not form a complete circle; image quality at the center can be considerably worse. The absence of this complete circular field limits the FOV because the optimum annular zone is not present. There is a need for better correction, specifically in the reduced annular field.

Researchers at UAH have developed a set of optical systems that separate the light into different paths, allowing for precise image quality correction in several field regions. These light paths are independently corrected to form a high quality FOV over any portion of the entire circular FOV.

Applications

  • Astronomy
  • Terrestrial observation
  • Photography
  • Microscopes

Advantages

  • Increases the FOV of a single telescope
  • Increases the spectral capability of a single telescope
  • Increases the FOV and spectral capability of a single large telescope system

Status

  • State of Development: Proof of concept
  • Licensing Status: Available for licensing
  • Patent Status: Proprietary