Faced with this problem, Zhou Liwei chose the electro-optic of electrostatic focusing concentric sphere system as the starting point to study the wide-beam electro-optic, and thus expounded the characteristics and problems of focusing imaging with wide electron beam on a large object surface, such as the paraxial condition of wide electron beam focusing, the definition of transverse aberration of electron optics, and the relationship between the first-order transverse aberration and the third-order transverse aberration through the second-order paraxial transverse aberration. Based on this research, Zhou Liwei solved a series of problems such as electron optics of electromagnetic focusing concentric sphere system, electron optics of image shifting system, electron optics of tilting system and general theory of wide electron beam focusing. Since 1980s, he has cooperated with Simon Ji Ye and Ai Kecong to put forward the aberration theory of electromagnetic compound focusing cathode lens. In cooperation with Ni Guoqiang, the problem of electro-optical transfer function of imaging system is solved. In cooperation with Jin Weiqi, the theory of focusing aberration of wide electron beam is further studied. In the research, Zhou Liwei put forward a tensor analysis method to study electron motion in the coordinate system of rotating motion curve, thus establishing a new theoretical system of crankshaft wide electron beam focusing imaging on a more general basis. 1993, his academic monograph "Wide Beam Electron Optics" was published, which was highly praised by experts and professors from the United States, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Russia, Germany, Japan and other countries 12. It was considered as a scientific, innovative and systematic work, and he wrote many times hoping that the monograph could be translated into English or published in Russian. In June 5438 +2000 10, ProHohloff, a Nobel Prize winner and academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, praised Zhou Liwei for being elected as a foreign academician of the Russian Academy of Engineering: "You are the founder of your own scientific school". Since the beginning of the new century, Zhou Liwei has extended his theory to the field of dynamic electron optics of imaging system, unified the research of dynamic electron optics and static electron optics, and put forward new expressions of delay dispersion, time aberration, spatial aberration and their transfer functions.
The design method of photoelectric system for image converter and image intensifier in night vision equipment belongs to the top secret technology abroad. In the 1980s, China imported the first generation of low-light-level image intensifier production line from the Netherlands, and all technologies including photocathode fabrication technology were imported except the design software package of electronic optical system. In other words, people hope that we can only manufacture limited kinds of picture tubes according to the provided drawings, and don't want us to have the ability of independent design and development.
In fact, as early as 1970s, in the battle of tackling key problems of night vision technology, the research group composed of Zhou Liwei, Feng Chitao and Fang Erlun began to study the design and calculation of electron-optical system of image tube, and achieved gratifying results. In 1980s, Zhou Liwei cooperated with Fangerlun Institute of Ordnance Industry to research and design the electron optical system of image intensifier with a microcomputer. After repeated revisions and supplements, a relatively complete electronic optics design software package for image tubes has been compiled, which greatly promoted its popularization and application and had an important impact. In 1990s, Zhou Liwei cooperated with Fang Erlun and Zhang Zhiquan to study the iterative calculation of multi-grid method to accelerate the field, and optimized the system, and successfully developed the optimization design software package for the electronic optical system of ODESI-V image tube. The software package has been used by domestic scientific research institutes and factories for many years, and the effect is remarkable. All these pave the way for the independent design and development of new night vision devices in China's low-light-level night vision industry. For example, the State-owned No.298 Factory used ODESI-V image tube electro-optical system optimization design software package, and designed and developed an electro-optical system with iz20/30 as the second escrow and Iz181,iz 18/25 as the first escrow. According to the statistics of 1999, the sales income of these pipes is nearly 100 million yuan, and they are exported to Pakistan and Europe, which has achieved great economic and social benefits. In addition to forward design and optimization design, he also cooperated with Ni Guoqiang and Qiu Bocang to study the photoelectric reverse design method of imaging system. Since the beginning of the new century, he and Fang Erlun, a research institute under the Ministry of Ordnance Industry, have studied the integration of dynamic photoelectric system calculation into static photoelectric system design software package.
Since the 1970s, Zhou Liwei has actively participated in the planning and demonstration of night vision technology in China, such as participating in the formulation of a ten-year plan for the development of night vision technology in China, and leading a team to Britain, the Netherlands, the United States and other countries to inspect image intensifiers and night vision technology. In order to speed up the development of night vision technology in China, he actively made reports and suggestions to relevant parties and participated in the formulation of a series of plans for night vision technology in China since the Seventh Five-Year Plan. In recognition of Zhou Liwei's contribution to China's weapon industry, he was awarded the honorary title of "National Advanced Worker in Weapon Industry" from 65438 to 0996.