Optical design and irradiance simulation verification of ultra-thin periscope telephoto imaging system

Periscope telephoto technology marks a significant milestone in the evolution of mobile imaging, demonstrating how innovative structural design can overcome physical constraints and address performance bottlenecks. This paper proposes an optimized design and analytical methodology for periscope telephoto objective systems, validated through a practical design case. The system employs a prism plate to fold the optical path, reducing the total length by approximately 50% compared to conventional telephoto configurations while maintaining an 18 mm focal length. Key elements include the use of a molded glass aspheric lens for effective aberration correction and comprehensive performance evaluation via diffraction modulation transfer function (MTF), field curvature, and distortion analyses. Furthermore, non-sequential ray tracing based on the Monte Carlo method was utilized to simulate far-field imaging and irradiance distribution, confirming excellent stray light suppression and high image quality. The results underscore the potential of this ultra-thin periscope telephoto imaging system for advanced mobile photography applications.