'Virtual triple Schmidt' - Wide field two-stage optics

The design concept of an unobscured-wide-field two-stage optical system based on a virtual triple Schmidt (VTS) configuration is presented. It is pointed out that the single large aperture and field-partitioning capability of two-stage systems can lower material and fabrication costs, making the VTS optics suitable for ground-based and space telescopes. The VTS design combines a Schmidt-camera first stage and a second stage comprising two back-to-back Schmidt systems as a 1:1 relay. Aspheric Schmidt correction is achieved at the relayed pupil location for all three systems. The effects of the separation between the error-producing surface and the aperture stop are discussed; the performance of the wavefront-correction system is analyzed; and extensive diagrams, drawings, and graphs of projected performance data are provided.