A North American camera manufacturer has been supplied by Resolve Optics Ltd. with small batches of a custom UV zoom lens enabling safe remote viewing of nuclear fuel assemblies through 10 metres of water.
To meet the challenges of this difficult application - the UV zoom lens was designed to optimally operate from 10 to 55°C. Miniature motors were incorporated to allow accurate remote setting of both zoom and focus functions. A filter slide was incorporated in the design enabling the lens to be switched between UV (270 to 350 nm) and visible (400 to 700 nm) without the need to refocus the lens.
Using a telescopic focus the lens was able to image objects from 13 metres to infinity with optical correction for 10 metres of water. The lens achieved high image resolution with low distortion throughout the zoom range without refocusing (image tracking). Top-siding adjustment was provided on the lens so that the motor cables could be conveniently positioned. A unique lockable C-mount was incorporated into the design to ensure that the lens would not come loose during operation.
