Practical alignment using an autostigmatic microscope

Robert E. Parks

doi:10.1117/12.940765

15 October 2012 Practical alignment using an autostigmatic microscope

Robert E. Parks

Proceedings Volume 8491, Optical System Alignment, Tolerancing, and Verification VI; 84910H (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.940765
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2012, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Auto-stigmatic microscopes (ASM) are useful for bringing centers of curvatures of lenses and mirrors to the centers of balls used as part of an alignment fixture. However, setting up the fixture to get the balls used for alignment in a straight line to represent the optical axis generally requires another piece of equipment. We show that within a practical range, the autocollimation mode of a modern ASM can be used to align balls to an axis with about the same precision as they could be aligned with an alignment telescope, or laser tracker. As a lead in to this topic, we discuss our meaning of alignment, the means of positioning optically important features such as centers of curvature and foci to the coordinates specified on assembly drawings. Finally, we show a method of using an ASM along with other tooling to align a toroidal mirror using its foci.

Citation Download Citation

Robert E. Parks "Practical alignment using an autostigmatic microscope", Proc. SPIE 8491, Optical System Alignment, Tolerancing, and Verification VI, 84910H (15 October 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.940765

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available