Off-Axis Three-Mirror Optical System Designs: From Cooke’s Triplet to Remote Sensing and Surveying Instruments

Abstract

The off-axis three-mirror optical system is derived from the classical Cooke triplet or a derivative of the inverse-telephoto lens. By properly arranging an internal reimaging mechanism or altering the location of the optical stop, one can create different versions of three-mirror optical systems. They include very compact configurations and wide field-of-view imagers. Insights into the optical design process, manufacturing, stray light management, and remote sensing applications are presented.

The Effect of Detector-Pixel Size on the Optical Centroid Efficiency of Infrared Sensors with Spherical Aberration

“…Optical systems for the IR applications usually include mirrors to avoid degradations due to chromatic aberrations and to permit multispectral applications. The central obscuration is often avoided with successful application of the reflective three-mirror system [3,4].…”

“…chromatic aberrations and to permit multispectral applications. The central obscuration is often avoided with successful application of the reflective three-mirror system [3,4].…”

Optical Centroid Efficiency in Infrared Sensors

“…A reflective three-mirror (RTM) optical/IR system is often used in remote sensing instruments [5,6] as well as in military surveillance systems. As a practical instrument, we analyze a real design of the optical system, presented in Figure 2 [6].…”

Conceptual Design of an On-Axis 6 m Space Telescope at the Diffraction Limit: Characteristics, Performance and Advantages

“…Coma can be eliminated if using two powered mirrors, as is the case of Ritchey-Chretien telescopes, which allow the observation of a larger field of view. To correct astigmatism, a third powered mirror has to be included in the typically called "Three-Mirror Anastigmat system" or TMA [6] .…”