Analysis of an optical relay system and integration into a satellite imager

摘要

A description of an optical relay subsystem used in a high resolution earth observation satellite imager is presented. Tolerance and thermal analysis showed that very tight tolerances are required to achieve diffraction limited performance. The alignment technique and verification of the build of different components are presented. Typical results of the alignment process together with predicted performance are reported. Optical characterisation of the relay subsystem in terms of wavefront analysis is described. To achieve diffraction limited performance an optical correction method was developed and implemented. The successful practical implementation of wavefront correction to achieve diffraction limited relay lens system is demonstrated.