Optical system active alignment process including alignment structure attach, position search, and deformation
First Claim
1. An optical system active alignment process comprising:
- attaching an alignment structure to an optical bench;
measuring an optical signal after interaction with an optical component held on the alignment structure;
an alignment system engaging and deforming the alignment structure in response to the optical signal to find a desired position for the optical component; and
after the desired position is found, the alignment system engaging and plastically deforming the alignment structure so that the optical component of the alignment structure will be at the desired position when the alignment system disengages from the alignment structure.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Mounting and alignment structures for optical components allow optical components to be connected to an optical bench and then subsequently aligned, i.e., either passively or actively, in a manufacturing or subsequent calibration or recalibration, alignment or realignment processes. The structures comprise quasi-extrusion portions. This portion is “quasi-extrusion” in the sense that it has a substantially constant cross section in a z-axis direction as would be yielded in an extrusion manufacturing process. The structures further comprise at least one base, having a laterally-extending base surface, and an optical component interface. At least one armature connects the optical component interface with the base. In the preferred embodiment, the base surface is securable to an optical bench.
-
Citations
5 Claims
-
1. An optical system active alignment process comprising:
-
attaching an alignment structure to an optical bench;
measuring an optical signal after interaction with an optical component held on the alignment structure;
an alignment system engaging and deforming the alignment structure in response to the optical signal to find a desired position for the optical component; and
after the desired position is found, the alignment system engaging and plastically deforming the alignment structure so that the optical component of the alignment structure will be at the desired position when the alignment system disengages from the alignment structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
Specification