Small form factor 4-mirror based imaging systems

Abstract

An all-reflective optical system is described including a concave primary mirror having a central aperture and a radius, the primary mirror having one of a parabolic, non-parabolic conical, or aspherical surface, a convex secondary mirror facing the primary mirror, where an optical axis extends from a vertex of the primary mirror to a vertex of the secondary mirror, a concave tertiary mirror arranged behind the primary mirror, the tertiary mirror having one of a parabolic, non-parabolic conical or aspherical surface, a concave quaternary mirror arranged in the central aperture of the primary mirror or behind the primary mirror, the quaternary mirror having one of a spherical, parabolic, non-parabolic conical or aspherical surface, and at least one image plane having one or more aggregated sensors, wherein the image plane is positioned at a radial distance from the optical axis that is no more than the radius of the primary mirror.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An all-reflective optical system, comprising:
 a concave primary mirror;   a convex secondary mirror;   a concave tertiary mirror;   a concave quaternary mirror; and   at least one image plane.