Dual-band optics

A dual-band optics design for disjoint spectral bands and for a cooled FPA sensor, sensitive to both bands, is presented. The use of special optical splitting mechanisms enables matching the optical paths of both bands to the same sensor. Reasonable optical performance and good registration were achieved for dual bands such as 8 to 12 μm together with 3.6 to 4.2 μm, and for the 3.6 to 4.2 μm band with various monochromatic laser bands in the 1.06 to 1.8 μm spectral range. Regular IR materials were used with aspheric and diffractive surfaces. Both single-objective designs and zoomed-objective designs are presented.