An optical path calibration tool and method

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical path calibration tool, comprising a coaxially arranged fixing rod and a calibration rod, wherein the diameter of the calibration rod is substantially the same as the diameter of the light spot to be calibrated, and the fixing rod can be axially plugged into a fixing hole on the surface of an optical platform, so that the calibration rod is located in the optical path to be calibrated and is placed above the optical platform. The present invention also provides an optical path calibration method, wherein the optical path calibration tool is used to adjust the optical device from front to back in sequence to achieve calibration of the optical path. The advantages of the present invention are that: the fixing rod can be directly plugged into the fixing hole without the need for screw connection, and the calibration tool can be quickly plugged in and out during use, making it easy to use; the calibration result is judged by whether the light spot is completely covered by the calibration rod, and the optical path calibration accuracy is high; and the light spot can be directly used to illuminate the calibration rod before the experiment to check whether the size is appropriate, thereby preventing the calibration accuracy from being affected by processing errors. The present invention is suitable for quantum information-related optical experiments such as quantum communication and quantum measurement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of optical path debugging, and in particular to an optical path calibration tool and method. Background Art

[0002] In optical experiments and related applications using point light sources, it is usually necessary for light to be incident vertically onto certain optical lenses, especially in quantum optical experiments. The accuracy of optical path adjustment often directly affects the experimental results. Therefore, it is particularly important to maintain the alignment of the optical path, that is, to ensure that there is no offset in the horizontal and vertical directions. The existing method for adjusting the alignment of the optical path is generally a multi-aperture method, such as the invention patent application with publication number CN104242029A, which discloses a method for quickly assembling a laser folded resonant cavity, which discloses a method of using an aperture to calibrate light; the aperture is a light-shielding member with a light-passing hole on its surface; reference Figure 1 A guide beam 10 is constructed along the axis of the fixed laser crystal 1's center, with the axis direction calibrated by pinhole apertures 11 and 12. Pinhole apertures 21 and 22 are placed on the perpendicular L-shaped reflected optical path. The angle of a 45° reflector 4 is adjusted so that the reflected beam passes through the center of the two apertures. The 45° reflector 4 is fixed. A guide beam 20 is constructed along the reflected optical path, passing through pinhole apertures 11, 12, 21, and 22, and the original guide beam 10 is removed. Resonator mirrors 6 and 7 are placed at either end of the resonant optical path, respectively, so that the light reflected by these mirrors returns to the guide beam 20 along the original path. The resonator operates as follows: The pump light path consists of an LD pump light source 8 and a coupling lens assembly 9. The pump light is collimated and focused by the coupling lens before passing through the center of the laser crystal 1. Increase the pump current and fine-tune the angles of the cavity mirrors 6 and 7 while observing whether the output mirror produces laser light. If not, increase the current and fine-tune the angles of the cavity mirrors 6 and 7 until laser light is emitted.

[0003] The existing multi-aperture calibration method has the following problems:

[0004] (1) Each time the light turns, the diaphragm needs to be screwed into the fixed hole that runs through the surface of the optical platform to calibrate the light path. The calibration process is relatively complicated and inconvenient to use;

[0005] (2) Since multiple apertures need to be used for calibration at the same time, the processing errors of different apertures are different, which will affect the accuracy of light calibration;

[0006] (3) The aperture bracket is a threaded structure. It needs to be manually rotated and screwed into the fixing hole of the optical platform. Different torques will result in different positions of the fixing hole, which will cause inaccurate light calibration. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is how to simplify the operation and improve the accuracy of optical path calibration.

[0008] The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems through the following technical solutions: an optical path calibration tool, comprising a coaxially arranged fixing rod and a calibration rod, the diameter of the calibration rod being substantially the same as the diameter of the light spot to be calibrated, the fixing rod being able to be axially plugged into and fitted with a fixing hole on the surface of an optical platform, so that the calibration rod is located in the optical path to be calibrated and is placed above the optical platform.

[0009] The optical path calibration tool provided by the present invention has a fixing rod that can be directly inserted into the fixing hole without the need for screw connection. The calibration tool can be quickly plugged in and out during use, and is easy to use. The calibration result is judged by whether the light spot is completely covered by the calibration rod, and the optical path calibration accuracy is high. Moreover, the light spot can be directly used to illuminate the calibration rod before the experiment to check whether the size is appropriate, thereby preventing the calibration accuracy from being affected by processing errors.

[0010] Preferably, the diameter of the calibration rod is larger than the diameter of the fixing hole of the optical platform, and the fixing rod and the fixing hole are transitionally matched.

[0011] Preferably, the fixing rod is a cylinder with a uniform and smooth surface.

[0012] Preferably, the calibration rod is detachably fixed to the fixing rod.

[0013] Preferably, it also includes a mounting base above the optical platform, the size of the mounting base is larger than the diameter of the fixing hole of the optical platform, and the calibration rod and the fixing rod are respectively located on the upper and lower sides of the mounting base and are vertically connected to the mounting base.

[0014] Preferably, the calibration rod is detachably fixed on the mounting seat.

[0015] Preferably, a fixing bolt coaxial with the fixing rod is fixed on the upper surface of the mounting seat in the vertical direction, and a matching hole is axially provided at the bottom of the calibration rod, and the matching hole has an internal thread that is threadedly matched with the fixing bolt.

[0016] Preferably, the surface of the calibration rod has scales.

[0017] The present invention also provides a light path calibration method using the light path calibration tool, comprising the following steps:

[0018] Step A: Select a calibration rod with the same diameter as the spot size, and coaxially connect the selected calibration rod to the fixed rod;

[0019] Step B: Insert the fixing rod into the first section of the uncalibrated optical path so that the calibration rod is on the optical path;

[0020] Step C: If the light spot is completely covered by the calibration rod, return to step B; otherwise, adjust the optical device at the front end of the section until the light spot is completely covered by the calibration rod, and then return to step B until all sections of the optical path to be calibrated are calibrated.

[0021] The present invention also provides a light path calibration method using the light path calibration tool, wherein the calibration rod has a scale on its surface; the method for calibrating the light path comprises the following steps:

[0022] Step I: Select a calibration rod with the same diameter as the spot size, and coaxially connect the calibration rod to the fixed rod;

[0023] Step II: Select two calibration points in the first section of the uncalibrated optical path, and insert the calibration tool into the optical platform fixing holes corresponding to the two calibration points respectively;

[0024] Step III: Adjust the optical device at the front end of the current interval so that the light spot is covered by the calibration rod at both calibration points, and the scale values on the two calibration rods are consistent. Return to step II until all intervals of the optical path to be calibrated are calibrated.

[0025] The advantages of the optical path calibration tool and method provided by the present invention are:

[0026] (1) The calibration tool can be directly plugged in and disassembled, and the switching of working positions is quick and convenient;

[0027] (2) The calibration result is determined by whether the light spot can be completely covered by the calibration rod to prevent the calibration accuracy from being affected by machining errors;

[0028] (3) The calibration rod surface has a scale, which can directly read the spot height, and the fixing rod and the fixing hole are matched by plugging. When calibrating at different positions, the depth of the fixing rod entering the fixing hole is consistent, which solves the height error caused by different screw tightening positions when fixing with screws;

[0029] (4) The surface of the fixing rod is uniform and smooth, and it is in transition with the fixing hole to ensure that it is fully inserted into the fixing hole, ensuring that the calibration rod is on the upper surface of the optical platform at different positions; preventing errors in the vertical calibration when switching the insertion position;

[0030] (5) The calibration rod is detachably fixed to the fixed rod or the mounting base, making it convenient to replace the corresponding calibration rod according to the spot size; it is easy to use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 The accompanying drawings cited as background technology of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an optical path calibration tool provided in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 An exemplary optical path diagram provided for embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an optical path calibration tool provided in embodiment 2 of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the following describes the technical solutions of the present invention clearly and completely with reference to specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings. It is obvious that the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides an optical path calibration tool suitable for quantum information-related optical experiments such as quantum communication and quantum measurement, including a coaxially arranged fixing rod 5 and a calibration rod 2, wherein the diameter of the calibration rod 2 is substantially the same as the diameter of the light spot to be calibrated; the fixing rod 5 can be axially plugged into and matched with the fixing hole of the optical platform (not shown), so that the calibration rod 2 is located in the optical path to be calibrated and is placed above the optical platform.

[0038] Based on the above embodiments, the optical path calibration method provided in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0039] Step A: Select a calibration rod 2 with the same diameter as the light spot size, and securely connect the selected calibration rod 2 to the fixed rod 5;

[0040] Step B: insert the fixing rod 5 into the first section of the uncalibrated optical path so that the calibration rod 2 is on the optical path;

[0041] Step C: If the light spot is completely covered by the calibration rod 2, return to step B; otherwise, adjust the optical device at the front end of the section until the light spot is completely covered by the calibration rod 2, and then return to step B until all sections of the optical path to be calibrated are calibrated.

[0042] The above method can quickly and conveniently calibrate the horizontal direction of the optical path to ensure that there is no horizontal deviation; the calibration result is highly accurate and easy to use.

[0043] Below is Figure 3The simple optical path system shown is a detailed description of the working principle of this embodiment. During the optical path debugging stage, the optical path calibration tool is respectively set between two optical devices (for example, between a laser and a reflector), and the fixing rod 5 is plugged into the fixing hole of the optical platform, so that the calibration rod 2 can be fixed on the optical platform perpendicular to the surface of the optical platform; the calibration rod 2 blocks the optical path, because the diameter of the light spot is roughly the same as the diameter of the calibration rod 2. If the light spot can basically cover the width range of the calibration rod 2, it is considered that the horizontal direction of the optical path before the calibration rod 2 meets the requirements. If the light spot cannot basically cover the width range of the calibration rod 2, the optical device before the calibration rod 2 needs to be adjusted in the horizontal direction to ensure that there is no horizontal deviation of the optical path. During calibration, the fixing rod 5 can be directly inserted into the fixing hole without the need for screw connection. The calibration tool can be quickly plugged in and out during use, making it easy to use. The calibration result is judged by whether the light spot is completely covered by the calibration rod 2, and the optical path calibration accuracy is high. Moreover, the light spot can be directly used to illuminate the calibration rod 2 before the experiment to check whether the size is appropriate, thereby preventing the calibration accuracy from being affected by processing errors.

[0044] The optical platform with a fixed hole is a common experimental device in this field. In the preferred embodiment, the calibration rod 2 is made of a light-shielding material, so the calibration rod 2 needs to be inserted into each section of the optical path from front to back for calibration. Those skilled in the art can also use transparent materials to make the calibration rod 2 based on the inventive concept of this application. In this case, a calibration tool for calibration can be set in each section of the optical path, and the optical device can be adjusted from front to back so that the light spot on each section of the optical path completely passes through the width range of the calibration rod 2. At this time, the refraction of light passing through the calibration rod 2 and the diameter error of different calibration rods 2 may affect the calibration result. Therefore, transparent calibration rods 2 are generally not used for calibration at multiple positions at the same time.

[0045] The above method can only calibrate the horizontal direction of the light path to ensure that there is no horizontal deviation. Sometimes, vertical calibration is also required. The surface of the calibration rod 2 also has a scale 21, which can measure the spot height. When performing height calibration, first select at least two positions on the first section of the light path to obtain the spot height respectively. Generally, two positions close to the front and rear end optical devices are selected for measurement to determine whether the light spot is tilted. If the front and rear heights are inconsistent, the front optical device needs to be adjusted until the spot heights of the two positions are consistent; after completing the calibration of the first section of the light path, use the same method to adjust the subsequent light paths in turn. If the spot height in the subsequent light path is consistent with the spot height of the first section of the light path and the two spot heights of the same section of the light path are consistent, it is considered that the vertical direction of the light path in this interval meets the requirements, and adjustments are made if the scales are inconsistent. Ensure that the height of the light remains consistent when passing through the calibration rod 2 at different positions, so as to adjust and calibrate the vertical deflection and realize accurate calibration of the light path; since the fixing rod 5 is fully inserted into the fixing hole, the bottom surface of the calibration rod 2 is in contact with the surface of the optical platform when the calibration position is changed, and the calibration results at different positions are judged by the scale value, avoiding the calibration error caused by changing the position and improving the calibration accuracy.

[0046] Based on the setting of the scale 21 above, the method for calibrating the horizontal and vertical directions simultaneously provided in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0047] Step I: Select a calibration rod 2 with the same diameter as the spot size, and coaxially connect the calibration rod 2 to the fixed rod 5;

[0048] Step II: Select two calibration points in the first section of the uncalibrated optical path, and insert the calibration tool into the optical platform fixing holes corresponding to the two calibration points respectively;

[0049] Step III: Adjust the optical device at the front end of the current interval so that the light spot is blocked by the calibration rod 2 at both calibration points, and the scale values on the two calibration rods 2 are consistent. Return to step II until all intervals of the optical path to be calibrated are calibrated.

[0050] When adjusting the light spot height, it may be necessary to plug and unplug the calibration tool multiple times to change the position. It is only necessary to ensure that the light spot heights of any two points on the optical path are consistent. The light path in the subsequent intervals must also keep the light spot height consistent with the light spot height in the first interval. This simultaneously realizes the calibration of the horizontal and vertical directions of the light path, with high accuracy and ease of use, eliminating calibration errors caused by production errors, and has good promotion prospects.

[0051] If the spot height is known before calibration, only one calibration point can be selected in each optical path for horizontal and vertical calibration.

[0052] Furthermore, when calibrating the optical path, if it is debugged section by section, the operation is cumbersome, and most optical paths only care about whether the final outgoing light meets the requirements. Therefore, only the final outgoing optical path can be calibrated. Two calibration points are selected on the final calibrated optical path and calibrated using the calibration tool respectively. First, the light heights of the two points are obtained respectively, and then the optical path is adjusted according to the required light heights, so that the light heights of the light in the outgoing optical path at the two calibration points meet the requirements and are covered by the calibration rod 2, so that the horizontal and vertical directions of the optical path meet the requirements of the outgoing light, and the optical path debugging work is completed.

[0053] Refer again Figure 2 Based on the above working principle, those skilled in the art can set the calibration tool to include only a fixing rod 5 and a calibration rod 2 coaxially fixed to the fixing rod 5. The fixing rod 5 is transitionally matched with the fixing hole, so that it can be conveniently and directly inserted into the fixing hole, and there is basically no shaking, thereby preventing the calibration rod 2 from tilting relative to the optical platform, and the accuracy is higher; the surface of the fixing rod 5 is uniform and smooth, so that it can be fully inserted into the fixing hole, so that the lower surface of the calibration rod 2 contacts the upper surface of the optical platform, ensuring that the height of the calibration tool itself remains consistent when calibrating at different positions.

[0054] In order to facilitate the replacement of the calibration rod 2 of the corresponding diameter according to the spot size, the fixing rod 5 is detachably fixed to the calibration rod 2. The specific fixing method can be selected according to the existing technology for connection. For example, an external thread can be set on the fixing rod 5, and an inwardly concave countersunk hole and an internal thread can be set on the calibration rod 2. The connection between the fixing rod 5 and the calibration rod 2 is achieved by screw connection. Although the calibration rod 2 is also connected by thread at this time, the position of the calibration rod 2 does not need to be adjusted after the connection, that is, the tightness of the thread will not be adjusted. The subsequent work only needs to plug in the fixing rod 5, so the tightening degree of the thread will not lead to differences in the calibration results.

[0055] Because the entire calibration tool is fixed in place by insertion into the fixing hole, if the diameter of the calibration rod 2 is not larger than the diameter of the fixing hole, the entire calibration tool will slide directly out of the fixing hole and off the optical platform, making optical path calibration impossible. Therefore, the calibration tool provided in the above embodiment is only suitable for use when the light spot diameter is larger than the fixing hole diameter. When conducting experiments using a light spot smaller than the fixing hole diameter, those skilled in the art can directly screw a retaining nut or other retaining member onto the fixing rod 5 to prevent the calibration tool from falling off.

[0056] Example 2

[0057] refer to Figure 4In this embodiment, the optical path calibration tool also includes a mounting base 3 above the optical platform. The calibration rod 2 and the fixing rod 5 are respectively connected vertically to the upper and lower end surfaces of the mounting base 3. At this time, the fixing rod 5 is still transitionally matched with the fixing hole. At this time, the diameter of the mounting base 3 is larger than the diameter of the fixing hole, thereby preventing the calibration tool from slipping out of the fixing hole. The calibration rod 2 and the fixing rod 5 are coaxially arranged for optical path calibration. Since the mounting base 3 can be used for limiting, the diameter of the calibration rod 2 can be smaller than the diameter of the fixing hole. Therefore Figure 4 The calibration tool shown can accommodate any size spot.

[0058] The calibration method of the calibration tool provided in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0059] Step A: Select a calibration rod 2 with the same diameter as the spot size, and coaxially and fixedly connect the selected calibration rod 2 to the mounting base 3;

[0060] Step B: Insert the fixing rod 5 into the first section of the uncalibrated optical path, place the mounting base 3 on the surface of the optical platform, and place the calibration rod 2 on the optical path;

[0061] Step C: If the light spot is completely covered by the calibration rod 2, return to step B; otherwise, adjust the optical device at the front end of the section until the light spot is completely covered by the calibration rod 2, and then return to step B until all sections of the optical path to be calibrated are calibrated.

[0062] The above method can quickly and conveniently calibrate the horizontal direction of the optical path to ensure that there is no horizontal deviation; the calibration result is highly accurate and easy to use.

[0063] If both horizontal and vertical calibration are required, the calibration methods include:

[0064] Step I: Select a calibration rod 2 with the same diameter as the spot size, and coaxially fix the calibration rod 2 to the mounting base 3;

[0065] Step II: Select two calibration points within the first section of the uncalibrated optical path, and insert the calibration tool into the optical platform fixing holes corresponding to the two calibration points, respectively, so that the mounting seat 3 is on the upper surface of the optical platform;

[0066] Step III: Adjust the optical device at the front end of the current interval so that the light spot is blocked by the calibration rod 2 at both calibration points, and the scale values on the two calibration rods 2 are consistent. Return to step II until all intervals of the optical path to be calibrated are calibrated.

[0067] When adjusting the light spot height, it may be necessary to plug and unplug the calibration tool multiple times to change the position. It is only necessary to ensure that the light spot heights of any two points on the optical path are consistent. The light path in the subsequent intervals must also keep the light spot height consistent with the light spot height in the first interval. This simultaneously realizes the calibration of the horizontal and vertical directions of the light path, with high accuracy and ease of use, eliminating calibration errors caused by production errors, and has good promotion prospects.

[0068] When using light spots of different diameters for testing, it is necessary to adaptively replace the calibration rod 2 of different diameters for optical path calibration. At this time, the calibration tool can be directly replaced as a whole, or the calibration rod 2 can be detachably fixed to the mounting base 3, so that only the calibration rod 2 needs to be replaced.

[0069] There are no strict requirements for the fixing method of the calibration rod 2 and the mounting seat 3. For example, a fixing bolt (not shown) coaxial with the fixing rod 5 can be set on the upper surface of the mounting seat 3 in the vertical direction, and a matching hole is axially provided at the bottom of the calibration rod 2. The matching hole has an internal thread that is threadedly matched with the fixing bolt. The calibration rod 2 and the mounting seat 3 are detachably connected by the threaded connection between the matching hole and the fixing bolt. By the same token, although the calibration rod 2 and the mounting seat 3 are connected by threads at this time, the tightness of the threaded connection will not affect the calibration accuracy in the vertical direction.

[0070] Those skilled in the art can also set a vertical polished rod (not shown) on the mounting seat, and the calibration rod 2 is directly inserted into the polished rod and locked by radial bolts. This fixing method can also easily adjust the direction of the scale, making it more convenient to use.

[0071] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit the same. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical path calibration tool, characterized by: It includes a coaxially arranged fixing rod and a calibration rod. The diameter of the calibration rod is roughly the same as the diameter of the light spot to be calibrated. The fixing rod can be axially plugged into the fixing hole on the surface of the optical platform, so that the calibration rod is in the optical path to be calibrated and placed above the optical platform.

2. The optical path calibration tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The diameter of the calibration rod is larger than the diameter of the fixing hole of the optical platform, and the fixing rod and the fixing hole are transitionally matched.

3. The optical path calibration tool according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fixing rod is a cylinder with a uniform and smooth surface.

4. The optical path calibration tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The calibration rod is detachably fixed to the fixing rod.

5. The optical path calibration tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a mounting base located above the optical platform. The size of the mounting base is larger than the diameter of the fixing hole of the optical platform. The calibration rod and the fixing rod are located on the upper and lower sides of the mounting base and are vertically connected to the mounting base.

6. The optical path calibration tool according to claim 5, characterized in that: The calibration rod is detachably fixed on the mounting seat.

7. The optical path calibration tool according to claim 6, characterized in that: A fixing bolt coaxial with the fixing rod is fixed on the upper surface of the mounting seat in the vertical direction, and a matching hole is axially provided at the bottom of the calibration rod. The matching hole has an internal thread that is threadedly matched with the fixing bolt.

8. The optical path calibration tool according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The surface of the calibration rod is provided with scales.

9. A method for optical path calibration using the optical path calibration tool according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Step A: Select a calibration rod with the same diameter as the spot size, and coaxially connect the selected calibration rod to the fixed rod; Step B: Insert the fixing rod into the first section of the uncalibrated optical path so that the calibration rod is on the optical path; Step C: If the light spot is completely covered by the calibration rod, return to step B; otherwise, adjust the optical device at the front end of the section until the light spot is completely covered by the calibration rod, and then return to step B until all sections of the optical path to be calibrated are calibrated.

10. A method for optical path calibration using the optical path calibration tool according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The surface of the calibration rod has scales; the method for calibrating the optical path comprises the following steps: Step I: Select a calibration rod with the same diameter as the spot size, and coaxially connect the calibration rod to the fixed rod; Step II: Select two calibration points in the first section of the uncalibrated optical path, and insert the calibration tool into the optical platform fixing holes corresponding to the two calibration points respectively; Step III: Adjust the optical device at the front end of the current interval so that the light spot is covered by the calibration rod at both calibration points, and the scale values on the two calibration rods are consistent. Return to step II until all intervals of the optical path to be calibrated are calibrated.

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