Crosstalk in monocentric multiscale systems based on an internal stray light stop suppression method.

Area of Science:

• Optical Engineering
• Image Science
• System Design

Background:

• Monocentric multi-scale (MMS) systems combine high resolution with a wide field of view (FOV) through detector stitching.
• Traditional stray light issues in optical systems include ghost reflections, scattering, and diffraction.
• Crosstalk between relay lenses in MMS systems is a unique stray light source, degrading image contrast by introducing unwanted rays.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and understand the phenomenon of crosstalk stray light in monocentric multi-scale systems.
• To identify factors influencing crosstalk stray light within MMS optical designs.
• To develop and validate a method for suppressing crosstalk stray light to enhance imaging performance.

Main Methods:

• Established a simulation model for the monocentric multi-scale system.
• Employed geometrical optics to trace characteristic rays during object-imaging.
• Analyzed the relationships between system parameters and the severity of crosstalk stray light.

Main Results:

• Identified key factors contributing to crosstalk stray light in MMS systems.
• Quantified the impact of various parameters on stray light levels.
• Demonstrated that a stray light stop effectively reduces crosstalk stray light.

Conclusions:

• Crosstalk stray light is a significant challenge in monocentric multi-scale systems.
• A proposed stray light suppression method, using a stop in the monocentric objective, effectively eliminates crosstalk.
• Implementing this method substantially improves image contrast in MMS systems.