Improved Optics for Sirius (Spaceborne Intensifier Radiometer for Imaging Ultraviolet Spectroscopy).
Abstract
The significance of this research and development to the Air Force is that it is now possible with only a single camera to take pictures at frequencies ranging from the vaccum ultraviolet to the near infrared, and at distances from 50 meters to infinity, without sacrificing quality. This will increase the number of optical experiments which can be performed in situations of limited weight and volume, such as manned space flights and airborne reconnaissance and surveillance experiments. The lens to be used with this camera is composed of four front surface mirrors, one of which is plano and merely folds the optical axis. The mirrors are specially coated to exhibit high reflectivity from 1216 Angstroms to 10,000 Angstroms. Three of the mirrors are general aspherics with deformation coefficients up to the 8th order. The lens mirror system has two focal planes---a primary mirror which images an infinite scene to its inferior focus, and a cassegrainian system which relays this scene to a final corrected focus. Fabrication of each mirror in the cassegrainian relay required the use of null optics. The primary mirror was figured using the figured relay lens as a nulling device. The criteria of attainment of correct surface figure was judged by a knife edge testing. Specified lens image quality is defined in terms of Modulation Transfer Function (MTF). Because of a pressing time schedule it was not possible to complete these MTF measurements at an outside testing facility. It is anticipated that eventual Air Force testing of the lens will confirm its performance in this area. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0905287
Entities
People
- Anthony Mazurkewitz
- John Ossi
- Rubin Gelles