Passive Long-Wave Infrared Imaging for Ultra-Wide Temperature Applications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3849/aimt.02036Keywords:
Athermalized, optically athermalization, triplet, thermal infrared lens, achromatic, athermal infrared lensAbstract
This paper presents a high-performance, fully passive athermalized long-wave infrared (LWIR) optical system for military and aerospace use. The design transitions from a paraxial framework to a realistic thick-lens configuration for high-fidelity optimization. The resulting system comprises only three lens elements and a single aspherical surface, achieving an aggressive aperture of f/1.2 and a 100 mm focal length. Rigorous evaluation via Zemax demonstrates that the design maintains near-diffraction-limited image quality and exceptional uniformity across an ultra-wide operational temperature range from −30 °C to 100 °C. By eliminating the need for active focusing mechanisms, this compact and lightweight solution offers superior reliability for long-range surveillance and aerial reconnaissance in extreme environments.
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