Long-Wave Infrared Multispectral Imager for Lunar Remote Sensing: Optical Design and Performance Evaluation

High-resolution long-wave infrared imaging is critical for lunar mineralogy. However, it must balance a large FOV, a small F-number, chromatic aberration correction, optical efficiency, and system compactness. We introduce a push-broom multispectral imager employing a collaborative integrated filter array and an off-axis two-mirror Gregorian telescope. The system, utilizing an uncooled Vanadium Oxide detector, has an F-number of 1.0, an IFOV of 0.04943 mrad, and a 2.90° × 2.83° FOV that covers eight bands ranging between 7.38 and 14.3 μm. Optical simulation confirms that the modulation transfer function exceeds 0.25 at the Nyquist frequency of 42 lp/mm, with a maximum RMS spot radius of less than 12 μm. The system has remarkable versatility within an operating temperature range of 0 °C to 40 °C. Thermal background radiation analysis, stray light analysis, and detection sensitivity were conducted, which indicated that the system has good compliance with indicators and engineering feasibility. This high-throughput optical design meets the rigorous criteria for lunar remote sensing and provides a reliable device for site evaluation in future manned lunar missions.