Folded optics
Encyclopedia
Folded optics is an optical system in which the beam is bent in a way to make the optical path
much longer than the size of the system. Prismatic
binoculars
are a well-known example.
An early conventional film (35 mm) camera was designed by Tessina
that used the concept of folded optics.
Optical path
The path that light takes in traversing an optical system is often called the optical path. The physical length of an optical device can be reduced to less than the length of the optical path by using folded optics. The optical path length as defined in optics is the length of the path multiplied...
much longer than the size of the system. Prismatic
Prism (optics)
In optics, a prism is a transparent optical element with flat, polished surfaces that refract light. The exact angles between the surfaces depend on the application. The traditional geometrical shape is that of a triangular prism with a triangular base and rectangular sides, and in colloquial use...
binoculars
Binoculars
Binoculars, field glasses or binocular telescopes are a pair of identical or mirror-symmetrical telescopes mounted side-by-side and aligned to point accurately in the same direction, allowing the viewer to use both eyes when viewing distant objects...
are a well-known example.
An early conventional film (35 mm) camera was designed by Tessina
Tessina
The Tessina is a high-quality 35 mm camera patented by Austrian chemical engineer Dr. Rudolph Steineck in Lugano Switzerland, manufactured by Siegrist in Grenchen Switzerland. It was introduced in 1957 and distributed by Steineck's company Concava S.A and remained in production up to 1996...
that used the concept of folded optics.