Developments and trends in infrared zoom lenses from 2000 to 2010

A review paper was previously published on infrared zoom lenses in the 1980s. Subsequently, a paper was published on infrared zoom lenses in the 1990s. It is timely then to prepare a paper on develop- ments and trends in infrared zoom lenses in the decade since the year 2000. These trends include the shift from scanning systems to charge- coupled device and focal plane arrays, dual-band systems, advances in simulators for target detection, high zoom magnification ratio, off-axis as well as on-axis reflective zoom systems, athermalization, and develop- ments and trends in infrared materials. Examples are presented to illus- trate each of these trends. These examples are predominantly mechanically compensated zoom lenses, although one optically compen- sated zoom lens is also included. © 2013 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation