Optical detection system

• Main Authors: Wild, Norman R, Leavy, Jr., Paul M
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 05.08.2003

Applicants herein have made the discovery that any type of focusing device in combination with a surface, exhibiting any degree of reflectivity and positioned near the focal plane of the device, acts as a retro-reflector. A retroreflector is defined as a reflector wherein incident rays or radiant energy and reflected rays are parallel for any angle of incidence within the field-of-view. A characteristic of a retroreflector is that the energy impinging thereon is reflected in a very narrow beam, herein referred to as the retroreflected beam. This phenomenon is termed retroreflection. The present invention pertains to radiant energy systems and more particularly to systems exhibiting the retroreflection principle wherein the system comprises a focusing means and a surface exhibiting some degree of reflectivity positioned near the focal plane of the device, and wherein incident radiation falling within the field-of-view of said system is reflected back in a direction which is parallel to the incident radiation. The present invention has great applicability in military optical system applications for detecting the presence of an enemy employing surveillance equipment and for neutralizing this surveillance capability.