Optimizing High Resolution Wide Field of View Optical Design for Long Wave Infrared Objective

Optical system is a basic component of infrared (IR) imaging systems that affect the image quality of the observed field of view (FOV). Responsible for collecting IR radiation from the scene and projecting it onto detector pixels. The optical system's characteristics, such as lens material, focal length, and optical diameter, critically impact the amount of transmitted IR radiation. The design process aims to eliminate and limit aberrations to enhance performance. Increasing spatial resolution and widening the FOV are crucial for image quality improvement. In this study, we present a unique high-resolution wide FOV optical design for an infrared objective operating in the long-wave infrared (LWIR) band (8-12\ m). Utilizing the time-tested Cooke triplet structure as the foundation, we enhance its capabilities through the implementation of a splitting methodology. This approach allows for improved control over aberrations and enhances the optical design's overall performance. Ansys Zemax OpticStudio software was employed to optimize radii of curvatures and thicknesses based on the proposed merit function operands. Our concept makes use of a small pixel size (15\ m) to achieve an expansive FOV of 18° along with a high spatial resolution of 31 cycles/mm. This makes the design a highly suitable candidate for diverse remote sensing observation applications.