COMPACT CATADIOPTRIC IMAGING APPARATUS

An imaging apparatus (200) for generating an optical image at an image surface is disclosed. The imaging apparatus (200) comprises a catadioptric device and a lens assembly (L1, L2) arranged behind the catadioptric device. The catadioptric device includes a piece of material (210) that has a planar first face (S0) and a non-planar second face. The first face (S0) provides a refractive entrance surface (Z0) that transmits light toward a reflective inner surface (S1) of the second face. The reflective inner surface (S1) of the second face reflects light received from the refractive entrance surface (Z0) toward a reflective inner surface (Z1) of the first face (S0). The reflective inner surface (Z1) of the first face (S0) reflects light received from the reflective inner surface (S1) of the second face toward a further reflective surface (S2) of the catadioptric device by total internal reflection.