Compact optical assembly for imaging a remote object

摘要

The optical system of the invention is comprised of a monolithic microlens array assembly that consists of two groups of microlenses sub-assemblies having different pitches between the adjacent lenses. A ratio between the pitches of sub-assemblies is determined by a predetermined relationship between the parameters of the optical system so that the microlenses of the first sub-assembly create a plurality of individual intermediate images arranged side-by-side in a common intermediate plane that are transferred by the microlenses of the second sub-assembly to the final image plane in the form of a plurality of identical and accurately registered images interposed onto each other. This is achieved due to the aforementioned ratio between the pitches.