Supersonic missile seeker lens system using gradient index material for first element lens

Abstract

The design of a supersonic missile seeker lens system using an aerodynamically efficient lens, a scanning mirror and detector was accomplished through the use of ray-tracing routines. The design of the first element lens uses a gradient in refractive index to overcome the severe handicap that the pointed shape imposes. This problem had been previously solved for positive orientations of the center of symmetry of the Gradient Refractive Index (GRIN) material with respect to the lens. In this study, the negative orientations are resolved and the lens studies for a range of orientations and strengths of gradient. The best lens in then used in conjunction with the mirror and detector in a ray-tracing scheme. Such a system was found to be feasible and worthy of further study.