CONDENSING AND COLLECTING OPTICAL SYSTEM USING AN ELLIPSOIDAL REFLECTOR

摘要

An off-axis optical system for collecting and condensing electromagnetic radiation utilizes an ellipsoidal reflector configured to minimize the effects of magnification and optical aberrations. An ellipsoidal reflector (M1, P) having primary and secondary focal points (F1, F2) along the major axis (8) is illuminated by a light source (S) and subtended by an acceptance cone (16) of the target (T). In one embodiment, a single ellipsoidal reflector is configured with its major axis non-coincident with its geometric optical axis (12) and with the optical axis (14) of the target at an angle greater than zero degrees so as to reduce substantially the distance at which a focused image is formed and to achieve an average magnification near unity thereby maintaining the brightness of the source at the target. The radiant flux at the location of the target is increased by incorporating a retro-reflector (M2) of toroidal or spherical design.