Disclosed systems and methods for the remote detection of atmospheric gas may include (1) receiving, at a collector, thermal infrared energy from at least one atmospheric column, (2) receiving, at optical subsystems, the thermal infrared energy over optical paths, (3) focusing the thermal infrared energy onto diffraction gratings that disperse the thermal infrared energy at a wavelength within a mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) spectral region and a wavelength within a long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) spectral region, (4) receiving, at detectors, the thermal infrared energy dispersed from the diffraction gratings within the MWIR spectral region and the LWIR spectral region, (5) determining spectral component data associated with the thermal infrared energy in the MWIR spectral region and the LWIR spectral region, (6) sending the spectral component data to a computing device, and (7) identifying an atmospheric gas based on the spectral component data.

Embodiments of imaging systems and methods of autofocusing are disclosed, for example, using a folded optics configuration. One system includes at least one camera configured to capture a target image scene, including an image sensor comprising an array of sensor elements, a primary light folding surface configured to direct a portion of received light in a first direction, and an optical element having a secondary light folding surface directing light in a second direction. The system can also include a lens assembly having at least one stationary lens positioned between the secondary light folding surface and the image sensor, the at least one stationary lens having a first surface mechanically coupled to the optical element and a second surface mechanically coupled to the image sensor, and at least one movable lens positioned between the primary light folding surface and the optical element.

The present invention provides a projection optical system including a first concave reflecting surface, a first convex reflecting surface, a second concave reflecting surface, and a third concave reflecting surface, wherein the first concave reflecting surface, the first convex reflecting surface, the second concave reflecting surface, and the third concave reflecting surface are arranged such that light from an object plane forms an image on an image plane by being reflected by the first concave reflecting surface, the first convex reflecting surface, the second concave reflecting surface, the first convex reflecting surface, and the third concave reflecting surface in an order named.

A projection optical system is disclosed. The projection optical system includes a first optical system configured to form a first image conjugated with an object and a second optical system configured to project a second image conjugated with the first image toward a projection surface. At least one of the first optical system and second optical system includes at least one optical element(s) movable relative to the object is provided. An image distance of the projection optical system is changed and a size of the second image is changed, by moving at least one of the optical element(s) relative to the object.

A panoramic optical device includes a quadric reflector, a mirror, and a set of one or more optical elements. The quadric reflector has a conical shape, which tapers from a wide base to an apex. The apex includes an aperture. The mirror is positioned within the device in a plane approximately parallel to a circular cross section of the conical shape. The mirror reflects environmental light that is reflected by the quadric reflector into the aperture or reflecting light emitting from the aperture onto the quadric reflector. The set of one or more optical elements are positioned at least partially within a volumetric region of the quadric reflector. The one or more optical elements focus light passing through the aperture.

Head-up display projects an image on transparent windshield to cause an observer to visually recognize a virtual image. Head-up display includes screen, optical system displays the image. Optical system projects the image displayed by screen on windshield. Driving unit moves screen. Optical system forms an intermediate image between optical systems, the intermediate image being larger than the image of screen.

A head up display can use a catadioptric collimating system. The head up display includes an image source. The head up display also includes a collimating mirror, and a polarizing beam splitter. The light from the image source enters the beam splitter and is reflected toward the collimating mirror. The light striking the collimating mirror is reflected through the beam splitter toward a combiner. A field lens can include a diffractive surface. A corrector lens can be disposed after the beam splitter.

A projection optical system projects onto a projection surface an image ray bundle formed on an image display element, and includes a transmissive optical system positioned on a side of an emission surface of the image display element and having positive power, and a reflective optical system including at least one mirror for reflecting, toward the projection surface, light rays emitted from the transmissive optical system. The transmissive optical system includes at least one positive lens disposed closer to the image display element than an aperture stop, along with first and second positive lenses having a meniscus shape, and a negative lens disposed therebetween, which are closer to the projection surface than the aperture stop is. During focusing, spacing between the first positive lens and the negative lens and spacing between the second positive lens and the negative lens remain unchanged.

An optical system includes a reflective optical system on a magnification side along an optical path of the projection optical system and a refractive optical system on a reduction side along the optical path. The reflective optical system includes one reflective optical element having a power. The refractive optical system includes a front group on the magnification side and a rear group on the reduction side. The front group having, in order from the magnification side toward the reduction side, a first lens group with a positive or negative refractive power, a second lens group, and a third lens group with a positive refractive power. The rear group has a positive refractive power. The first lens group moves to the magnification side, and the second lens group and the third lens group move to the reduction side in a change in focus from a long distance to a short distance.

A system including a light source configured to illuminate light onto an image modulation element; a projection optical system including at least a first lens system and a second lens system configured to project the image modulated by the modulation element; and circuitry configured to shift a position of the first lens system in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the projection optical system based on an optical zoom factor, wherein a position of the image modulation element is unchanged when the circuitry shifts the position of the first lens system.