Aspheric dome optical system design using a wedge-shaped prism for the imaging system

An aspheric dome was designed and the aberration characteristics of the dome were analyzed by Zernike aberration theory. A novel design method that a single wedge-shaped freeform surface (FFS) prism is adopted as the imaging lens for the system is presented. The design made the number of the system's elements and the length and weight of the system decrease, and the system center obscuration are exempted. A complete mid-infrared optical system with an MgF2 ellipsoidal dome is designed as an example. The ultimate performance indicates that this design met the requirements on imaging properties of an airborne detection system.