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The Axicon: A New Type of Optical Element
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1954
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Optical MaterialsIndustrial ApplicationsEngineeringOptic DesignOptical TestingOptical PropertiesActive OpticsInstrumentationOptical ElementsOphthalmologyStraight LineOptical ElementAdaptive OpticGeometrical OpticApplied PhysicsEye TrackingOptical Information ProcessingGeometrical AberrationOptical SciencesAxicon TelescopeOptoelectronics
The axicon replaces the spherical objective with a cone, allowing simultaneous observation of multiple small sources along the line of sight, functioning as an autocollimator when illuminated, and projecting a straight line of images into space. Axicons—a new class of glass‑cone optical elements that can be transmitting or reflecting—produce continuous straight lines of images, enabling universal‑focus telescopes that stay in focus from a foot to infinity without moving parts, and functioning as autocollimators and projectors.
A search for a universal-focus lens has led to a new class of optical elements. These are called axicons. There are many different kinds of axicons but probably the most important one is a glass cone. It may be either transmitting or reflecting. Axicons form a continuous straight line of images from small sources.One application is in a telescope. The usual spherical objective is replaced by a cone. This axicon telescope is in focus for targets from a foot or so to infinity without the necessity of moving any parts. It can be used to view simultaneously two or more small sources placed along the line of sight.If a source of light is suitably added to the telescope it becomes an autocollimator. Like ordinary autocollimators it can be used to determine the perpendicularity of a mirror. In addition, it can simultaneously act as a telescope for a point target which may be an illuminated pinhole in the mirror.The axicon autocollimator is also a projector which projects a straight line of images into space.