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Automatic optical inter-alignment of two linear arrangements

  • US 6,813,023 B2
  • Filed: 01/03/2002
  • Issued: 11/02/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of alignment, comprising the steps of:

  • holding a first optical element in opposition to a second optical element for interalignment therewith, said second optical element including a plurality of receivers including a first marginal receiver and a second marginal receiver, said first optical element having a first axis and a second axis, and said second optical element having a third axis and a fourth axis;

    detecting a plurality of light signals that pass from said first optical element to said second optical element, said light signals including a first light signal that impinges on said first marginal receiver, and a second light signal that impinges on said second marginal receiver;

    in a first phase of operation rotating said first optical element about a Y-axis until said second axis is in a parallel alignment with said fourth axis; and

    in a second phase of operation displacing said first optical element along said Y-axis;

    while displacing said first optical element along said Y-axis, recording a signal strength of said first light signal and said second light signal; and

    displacing said first optical element along a Z-axis until said signal strength has an optimal value, further comprising the steps of;

    in said first phase of operation displacing said first optical element stepwise on an interval of said Z-axis, defining a plurality of incremental positions thereon;

    at each of said incremental positions displacing said first optical element on an interval of said Y-axis;

    while said step of displacing said first optical element on said interval of said Y-axis is being performed, determining a function of said first light signal and determining a function of said second light signal;

    after said step of displacing said first optical element stepwise on said interval of said Z-axis has been performed, determining a first point on said Z-axis where said function of said first light signal has a first optimum value and a second point on said Z-axis where said function of said second light signal has a second optimum value;

    calculating a difference Δ

    Z between said second point and said first point;

    responsive to said step of calculating rotating said first optical element about said Y-axis to reduce a distance between said first marginal receiver and said second point.

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