Optics: measuring and testing – Angle measuring or angular axial alignment – With photodetection remote from measured angle
Patent
1983-07-08
1986-02-18
Buczinski, S. C.
Optics: measuring and testing
Angle measuring or angular axial alignment
With photodetection remote from measured angle
350354, G01B 1126
Patent
active
045710767
ABSTRACT:
A blooming auto collimator is disclosed for aligning optical components or optical beams along a reciprocal optical path. A blooming cell is positioned along the reciprocal optical path intermediate first and second spaced-apart locations to be aligned. A comparatively high-power laser source is positioned at one of the locations, and is operative to provide a comparatively high-energy beam of coherent light along the optical path through the blooming medium and toward the other location. A comparatively low-energy source of coherent light is positioned at the other location, and is operative to provide a comparatively low-energy beam of coherent light through the blooming medium and back along the reciprocal optical path. The comparatively high-energy beam thermally excites the blooming medium, producing therealong a thermal gradient having the characteristics of a negative optical lens. In the case of colinear alignment of the high and low-energy beams, the low-energy beam is symmetrically diverged by the negative lens. In the case of relative colinear misalignment of the high and low-energy beams, the low-energy beam is asymmetrically diverged by the negative lens by a large number multiple of the actual relative colinear misalignment. A sensor responsive to the low-energy beam is operative to provide an extremely sensitive signal indication of relative colinear alignment. The comparatively low-energy beam may be provided as a reflection of the high-energy beam. The blooming medium may be any suitable fluid in either liquid or gas phase. The comparatively high-energy beam of coherent light is preferably focussed at a point along the axis of the blooming cell. Means are provided at the second location for absorbing the comparatively high-energy beam.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3434779 (1969-03-01), Damen et al.
patent: 3999858 (1976-12-01), Hernqvist et al.
patent: 4146329 (1979-03-01), King et al.
Buczinski S. C.
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory
Wallace Linda J.
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