Self-synchronizing optical imaging system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A self-synchronizing optical radiation imaging device is provided having optics for receiving optical radiation and an optical image delay system for delaying at least a portion of the optical radiation received by the receiving optics.
An optical radiation energy detector is provided for detecting the reception of optical radiation above a predetermined level and actuating a high voltage gate responsive to and for the duration of the received optical radiation of increased level.
The high voltage gate operates an image intensifier in synchronization with the reception of the delayed optical image so that the entire optical image during the duration of the reception may be recorded.
The delayed optical signal is directed to the intensifier following its delay.
Alternatively, the high voltage gating circuit can be turned off momentarily responsive to the optical radiation of increased energy level for its duration to prevent damage to the image intensifier tube.
The optical radiation delay system has a bundle of incoherent fiberoptics of a predetermined length with an input for receiving optical signals at one end and a reflective surface mounted at the opposite end for reflecting signals passing through the incoherent fiber-optics back through the fiber-optics in the same order as received so that a signal can be delayed for twice the length of the fiber-optics times the refractive index of the fiber-optic fibers.