Prismatic image replication for obtaining color data from a monochrome detector array

1. An optical system for producing color images comprising:

an objective lens system having an entrance aperture;

a multi-faceted prism positioned at the entrance aperture of the objective lens system and comprising at least a first face having a first optical filter formed thereon and a second face having a second optical filter formed thereon; and

a single monochromatic detector array positioned to receive light from the objective lens system,

wherein the multi-faceted prism intercepts light from a scene and splits a pupil of the objective lens system into two or more spectrally separated sub-images which are projected onto the monochromatic detector array.

2. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the first face and the second face of the multi-faceted prism are aligned with an optical axis of the objective lens system.

3. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the multi-faceted prism is manufactured from a refracting material that transmits radiation in a predetermined broad spectral band.

4. The optical system of claim 2 , wherein the refracting material is optical glass, a crystalline material, or any combination thereof.

5. The optical system of claim 2 , wherein the first optical filter permits a first portion of the predetermined broad spectral band to pass therethrough and the second optical filter permits a second portion of the predetermined broad spectral band to pass therethrough.

6. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein stray radiation from the multi-faceted prism is limited with at least one of a honeycomb structure and a long tube affixed to an entrance aperture of the optical system.

7. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein stray radiation from the multi-faceted prism and the objective lens system is limited by a color filter applied in proximity to the monochromatic detector array.

8. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the multi-faceted prism is provided in a housing that is removably attached to the objective lens system.

9. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein an imaging processing device is used to combine the two or more spectrally separated sub-images into a single color image.

10. A method for producing color images comprising:

providing an optical system comprising:

an objective lens system having an entrance aperture;

a multi-faceted prism positioned at the entrance aperture of the objective lens system and comprising at least a first face having a first optical filter formed thereon and a second face having a second optical filter formed thereon; and

a single monochromatic detector array positioned to receive light from the objective lens system,

intercepting light from a scene with the multi-faceted prism;

splitting a pupil of the objective lens system into two or more spectrally separated sub-images; and

projecting the two or more spectrally separated sub-images onto the monochromatic detector array.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first face and the second face of the multi-faceted prism are aligned with an optical axis of the objective lens system.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the multi-faceted prism is manufactured from a refracting material that transmits radiation in a predetermined broad spectral band.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the refracting material is optical glass, a crystalline material, or any combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first optical filter permits a first portion of the predetermined broad spectral band to pass therethrough and the second optical filter permits a second portion of the predetermined broad spectral band to pass therethrough.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein stray radiation from the multi-faceted prism is limited with at least one of a honeycomb structure and a long tube affixed to an entrance aperture of the optical system.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein stray radiation from the multi-faceted prism and the objective lens system is limited by a color filter applied in proximity to the monochromatic detector array.

17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the multi-faceted prism is provided in a housing that is removably attached to the objective lens system.

18. The method of claim 10 , further comprising combining the two or more spectrally separated sub-images into a single color image using an image processing device.

19. An optical system for producing color images comprising:

an objective lens system having an entrance aperture;

a multi-faceted prism positioned within a housing that is removably connected to the objective lens system at the entrance aperture of the objective lens system, the multi-faceted prism comprising at least a first face having a first optical filter formed thereon and a second face having a second optical filter formed thereon; and

a single monochromatic detector array positioned to receive light from the objective lens system,

wherein the multi-faceted prism intercepts light from a scene and splits a pupil of the objective lens system into two or more spectrally separated sub-images which are projected onto the monochromatic detector array.

20. The optical system of claim 19 , wherein the first face and the second face of the multi-faceted prism are aligned with an optical axis of the objective lens system.