A bipod flexure mount couples an optic to a base while isolating the optic from strain to resist wavefront error. The bipod flexure mount has a distal attachment pad to be coupled to the optic and a proximal attachment pad to be coupled to the base. A pair of beams extend between and couple the distal and proximal attachment pads. The distal attachment pad, the proximal attachment pad and the pair of beams are disposed in and define a planar layer with opposite planar surfaces that are substantially parallel. The bipod flexure mount is relatively flexible about four degrees of freedom and is relatively stiff about two degrees of freedom.

A bipod flexure mount couples an optic to a base while isolating the optic from strain to resist wavefront error. The bipod flexure mount has a distal attachment pad to be coupled to the optic and a proximal attachment pad to be coupled to the base. A pair of beams extend between and couple the distal and proximal attachment pads. The distal attachment pad, the proximal attachment pad and the pair of beams are disposed in and define a planar layer with opposite planar surfaces that are substantially parallel. The bipod flexure mount is relatively flexible about four degrees of freedom and is relatively stiff about two degrees of freedom.

An on-axis four mirror anastigmat telescope includes an entrance pupil configured to receive light from an image, and a mirror assembly. The mirror assembly has a first reflective surface having a central aperture formed therein, a second reflective surface, a third reflective surface having a central aperture formed therein, a fourth reflective surface, and an aperture stop. The mirror assembly is configured to receive light from the image on a common axis and to reflect the light successively by the four coaxial reflective surfaces through the aperture stop. The telescope further comprises a detector configured to receive light from the mirror assembly. The central aperture formed in the first reflective surface defines a field stop to limit the field of view.

An on-axis four mirror anastigmat telescope includes an entrance pupil configured to receive light from an image, and a mirror assembly. The mirror assembly has a first reflective surface having a central aperture formed therein, a second reflective surface, a third reflective surface having a central aperture formed therein, a fourth reflective surface, and an aperture stop. The mirror assembly is configured to receive light from the image on a common axis and to reflect the light successively by the four coaxial reflective surfaces through the aperture stop. The telescope further comprises a detector configured to receive light from the mirror assembly. The central aperture formed in the first reflective surface defines a field stop to limit the field of view.

To enable a user to quickly adjust power ranges of a scope for firearms, a scope may be provided with a primary sight having a primary sighting line and a secondary sight having a secondary sighting line. The primary sight may include a plurality of optical elements disposed within the first housing and an elevation adjustment mechanism for adjusting a zeroed-in position of the primary sight. To prevent impedance of the secondary sighting line, the elevation adjustment mechanism may be located laterally of the primary sight rather than in the conventional position above the primary sight.

A rangefinder scope crossbows and other firearms includes an emitter assembly for transmitting radiant energy toward a target, a first collimating lens assembly for receiving and collimating the reflected radiant energy, a prism assembly optically connected to the first collimating lens assembly for receiving the collimated reflected radiant energy, and a receiver assembly in optical communication with the prism assembly for detecting the radiant energy reflected by the target to thereby calculate a distance between the rangefinder scope and the target. A third collimating lens assembly associated with the emitter further increases accuracy of the scope.

A rangefinder scope crossbows and other firearms includes an emitter assembly for transmitting radiant energy toward a target, a first collimating lens assembly for receiving and collimating the reflected radiant energy, a prism assembly optically connected to the first collimating lens assembly for receiving the collimated reflected radiant energy, and a receiver assembly in optical communication with the prism assembly for detecting the radiant energy reflected by the target to thereby calculate a distance between the rangefinder scope and the target. A third collimating lens assembly associated with the emitter further increases accuracy of the scope.

A spectrometer with a Schmidt reflector is described. The spectrometer may include a Schmidt corrector and a dispersive element as separate components. Alternatively, the Schmidt corrector and dispersive element may be combined into a single optical component. The spectrometer may further include a field-flattener lens.

A spectrometer with a Schmidt reflector is described. The spectrometer may include a Schmidt corrector and a dispersive element as separate components. Alternatively, the Schmidt corrector and dispersive element may be combined into a single optical component. The spectrometer may further include a field-flattener lens.

This invention discloses a riflescope wherein the point of aim is adjusted by a pair of partially-rotating wedge prisms. The prisms are positioned in front of the objective lens of the riflescope. The deviation axes of the prisms are oriented perpendicular to each other such that one deviates the light beam in the horizontal direction and the other in the vertical direction. It is shown, using the geometric properties of a tangent to a circle, that rotating each prism by a small amount can produce an approximately linear shift in the point of aim of the riflescope. The riflescope introduced in this invention has no laterally-moving parts, no turrets and no off-axis optical components. Therefore, it provides a very robust and reliable point of aim. Additionally, the riflescope has a streamlined body which is aesthetically pleasing and easier to mount on the long receiver of magnum hunting rifles.