Wide angle surface generator & target

Abstract

An axicon is disclosed comprising a generally cylindrical body having an exterior surface 31 , a first surface 32 and a second surface 35 adjacent opposite ends of the body. A light input beam from a suitable source is directed into one of those surfaces and through the axicon to the other of those surfaces, and the beam is transformed by the axicon into a beam(s) exiting such other surface. The shape and angular extent of the exit beam will depend, in part, on the selected position of the first surface with respect to the optical axis of the axicon and/or the second surface. The axicon is an optical grade unit, preferably unitary, which can receive light of a specified pattern through a first surface, redirect and modify the light, and output light of a different pattern though a second surface. A concentrated light beam can be input to the axicon and output as a differently shaped beam, such as defining a predetermined plane or geometric surface., Also light surrounding the axicon can be input, concentrated and output as a beam of predetermined size and shape onto a photodiode supported at or near the focal point of the lens.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An axicon comprising a transparent body having a cylindrical outer surface  31 , 
 a first light transmitting surface  32 , and    a second light transmitting surface  35  spaced from said first surface  32 ;    said body being constructed and arranged such that 
 a) if a beam of light  40  is received by the first surface  32  and redirected into the second surface  35 , the second surface  35  will transform the beam  40  into a beam  45  different from the received light rays and exiting the end of the body opposite the first surface  32 ; and  
 b) if ambient light rays are directed onto and received by the second surface  35 , the rays will be redirected and transformed by the first surface  32  into a beam  33  exiting the first surface  32 .  
   
     
     
         2 . The axicon defined in  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface  31  is a right cylinder, and the center of the second surface  35  is coaxial with the body.  
     
     
         3 . The axicon defined in  claim 2 , wherein the secon surface is conical and a beam exiting the second surface  35  is a planar beam.  
     
     
         4 . The axicon defined in  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface  31  is a right cylinder, and the center of the second surface  35  is offset from the axis of the body  
     
     
         5 . The axicon defined in  claim 2 , wherein a beam exiting the second surface  35  defines a plane.  
     
     
         6 . An axicon comprising a light transmissive body having a cylindrical outer surface  31  having first and send ends, 
 a first light transmitting surface  32  at one end of said body, and  
 a second light transmitting surface  35  at the other end of said body from said first surface  32 ;  
 said body being constructed and arranged such that a beam of light received by the one of said surfaces is redirected to the other of said surfaces, and  
 the other surface will transform the input beam into a exiting beam different from the received light rays and exiting the end of the body at the location of the other surface.  
 
     
     
         7 . An optical system comprising a pair of cooperating optical members for redirecting light from a plane to a beam and from a beam to a plane, said members each comprising 
 a cylindrical outer surface  15 , a conical interior surface  20 , and a curved outer lens surface  22 , all supported on a common optical axis;    said conical interior surfaces being supported to face each other;    a pair of photodetectors, one each of which is supported opposite said outer lens surfaces;    said system being constructed and arranged such that 
 a) light rays can be received by the cylindrical outer surface  15  and directed into said conical interior surfaces are divided and redirected along the optical axis toward lens surface  22 , and each lens surface concentrate and transform the light rays into a beam directed to the associated photodetector; and that  
 b) an input beam can be directed into said lens surface  22  and along the axis of the system to the conical surfaces  20 , whereby the light rays of the resultant beam will be redirected and transformed by the conical interior surface into a planar beam exiting the cylindrical outer surface.