Modern sights and thermal imagers are designed to be as light and compact as possible, because the lighter the device, the easier it is to move around with it. But usually, reducing the size of the sight leads to a deterioration of the image, and the design becomes more complex. Engineers from the Novosibirsk Instrument-Making Plant have solved these problems.
The main goal of the project is to make the eyepiece lighter, more compact, and simpler in design, but without losing image quality. As the authors of the development note, many existing solutions, despite a good image, remain too heavy and bulky.
The new eyepiece is designed for use in optoelectronic devices with image intensifiers or microdisplays with a diagonal of up to 25 mm. It can be used in television and thermal imaging observation devices, as well as in sights for small arms.
A feature of the design is the extended exit pupil. In other words, a comfortable distance is maintained between the lens and the eye, making the device more comfortable to use, including with glasses or a helmet.
The eyepiece itself consists of only three lenses. Two of them are responsible for correcting distortions and focusing rays, and the third has an aspherical surface and helps maintain a clear image across the entire field of view.
According to the developers, this scheme makes the eyepiece simpler and cheaper to manufacture. At the same time, reduced size and weight are especially important for portable devices that constantly need to be carried around.
