OPTICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AN OPTICAL SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an optical system and a method for manufacturing an optical system. The described optical system has a base plate with mounting points arranged in a grid, and at least one holder for receiving an optical element that can be fixed to at least one of the mounting points.

[0002] For the construction of modifiable and specifically adaptable optical systems, whose optical components are configured according to the measurement to be performed, so-called optical stages are typically used. These stages have a large number of mounting points arranged in a grid pattern. The mounting points, to which holders with optical elements are attached as needed, are designed as threaded holes into which the holders can be screwed. In Europe, such optical stages typically have holes with M6 internal threads arranged in a 25 mm grid. With the aid of appropriately configured optical systems, highly precise and sensitive optical measurement setups are often provided for conducting optical experiments.

[0003] In this context, an optical table is known from DE 10 2014 015 665 B4, which has a tabletop with a grid of holes. These holes, in turn, have threads for attaching holders for optical elements. For carrying out specific optical experiments, the tabletop is coupled to a cooling element that can be brought to the required temperature by means of a chiller. To prevent vibrations from the environment, especially from the chiller, from being transmitted to the tabletop and thus interfering with the measurements, the table legs have damping devices for vibration suppression.

[0004] Another optical table is known from EP 1 413 871 B1. The essential technical feature of the optical table described in this document is that the tabletop, which is usually relatively large, and in particular thick, is assembled from several components. For this purpose, it is provided to manufacture an optical table as a base element for an optical system, which has a separate substructure below the actual tabletop, on which, in turn, there are mounting points for the holders for receiving individual optical elements. According to a particular embodiment described, the substructure has at least two planar elements that are joined together in a suitable manner.

[0005] The construction of optomechanical components using standard building block systems, such as LEGO®, is described in an internet publication (https: / / web.archive.org / web / 20190103091436 / http: / / www.myphotonics.eu / ). Base plates with a studded grid are used as supports, onto which holders for optical elements are attached. For stabilization, it is recommended to glue one or two base plates to a wooden or aluminum base. An illustration shows the gluing of the base plate to an optical table.

[0006] In another internet publication (https: / / www.gutefrage.net / frage / wir-haben-also-ganzviele-lego-grundplatten-gekauft-die-wir-gerne-nebeneinander-auf-eine-platte-kleben-moechtenwelches-material-nehmen-wir-da-am-besten) advantageous fastening options for LEGO® base plates on base plates are discussed, with the use of holes with countersunk screws being suggested in addition to gluing.

[0007] Based on known technical solutions for providing an optical system with which optical measurements can be performed as needed, the invention aims to simplify the design and implementation of an optical system compared to solutions known from the prior art. In particular, the construction of an optical system should be comparatively simple and quick, without compromising precision. Furthermore, the steps required for modifying an optical system, especially the replacement or installation of optical components, should also be simplified, particularly with regard to the adjustment of the optical components, so that a rapid reconfiguration of an optical system is generally possible.Overall, the effort required to adjust the individual optical elements of the optical system should be minimized, and a cost-effective alternative for the construction of an optical system should be offered compared to solutions known from the prior art.

[0008] Furthermore, the technical solution to be specified should allow for flexible configurations of optical systems based on standardized dimensions. This presupposes that a correspondingly designed optical system can be mounted on known optical stages, especially those with standard grid dimensions, and is therefore also feasible as a stand-alone solution without the use of such an optical stage.

[0009] The problem described above is solved by an optical system according to claim 1 and a method for manufacturing an optical system according to claim 12. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and are explained in more detail in the following description with partial reference to the figures.

[0010] The invention relates to an optical system with a base plate having mounting points arranged in a grid, and with at least one holder for receiving an optical element that can be fixed to at least one of the mounting points. According to the invention, this optical system has been further developed such that the mounting points are designed in the form of studded elements and the holder has a fastening element that can be attached to at least one of the studded elements to fix the holder to the base plate. The essential feature of the technical solution according to the invention is therefore a base plate or base element on which studded elements or pins, i.e., bump-like protrusions on the surface of the base plate, are provided.In this context, the term "bump-like protrusions" on the surface of the base plate refers to protrusions that are at least predominantly uniform in shape and, in any case, arranged in a grid pattern on the surface of the base plate. From a technical perspective, such protrusions can also be understood as dowel pins connected to the surface of the base plate on one side, characterized primarily by their uniform shape and precise arrangement on the base plate.

[0011] In general, it is conceivable that the studded elements have a cylindrical, cuboid, or curved outer contour, whereby the geometric design of the studded elements is not limited to a specific shape. It is particularly advantageous if the studded elements or pins, arranged in a grid pattern on the surface of the base plate, are designed as hollow cylinders.

[0012] Furthermore, the invention is characterized in that the at least one holder has a fastening element that is attached to at least one of the studded elements, preferably to a plurality of studded elements. It is particularly advantageous if the fastening element has at least one recess, for example in the form of a bore, which receives a studded element after it has been attached. Preferably, the attachment is effected in such a way that friction and / or clamping occurs on an outer surface of the studded element, so that the fastening element is securely fixed to the holder. The fastening element of the holder is preferably designed such that, when the fastening element is attached to at least one studded element, at least a slight interference fit is created between the studded element and the fastening element of the holder.

[0013] Furthermore, according to a specific embodiment of the invention, the mounting element of the holder has a round, square, or rectangular recess that is attached to at least one of the studded elements located on the surface of the base plate. The major advantage of such a design is that corresponding holders can be arranged quickly, flexibly, and as needed on the surface of the base plate, while also achieving high precision with regard to the arrangement and orientation of the holder. Furthermore, a conversion of an optical system can be carried out very quickly by removing at least individual holders from their slots on the surface of the base plate and placing these or other holders in a different required slot.

[0014] Due to the arrangement of studded elements or pins in a fixed grid according to the invention, highly precise positioning of the individual holders on the base plate is ensured. The studded elements or pins, arranged in a fixed grid, serve to attach at least one holder that accommodates suitable optical elements.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the fastening element is provided with at least one additional fixing means which, during the fixing of the holder to the base plate, is connected to the at least one studded element onto which the fastening element is mounted. Advantageously, the additional fixing means has a bore in the fastening element and a screw arranged therein. By means of such an additional fixing means, which in particular has a screw, a final, secure and precise fixing of a holder to a studded element is achieved.The additional fixing agent ensures that, on the one hand, the holders and the components they hold cannot detach from the base plate, and on the other hand, that the holders lie flat on the base plate with their underside, even if the base plate has small irregularities and / or dirt in this area.

[0016] In a particularly advantageous manner, at least one additional fixing element is used with a screw whose external thread can cut a thread, i.e., cut a thread into the bore of the fastening element during penetration, or at least elastically displace the material provided in this area of ​​the bore wall. In any case, secure fastening of the screw within the bore is ensured, which in turn, particularly through contact of the screw tip with a studded element or pin, securely fixes the holder in its position and also reliably prevents unwanted loosening of the holder.

[0017] According to a specific embodiment of the optical system according to the invention, the base plate and / or the holder comprises a printable material. Preferably, the base plate and / or the holder comprises a plastic made of a synthetic polymer, in particular of at least one polylactic acid (PLA). Manufacturing a base plate and / or a holder for the optical system according to the invention by means of a 3D printing process offers the particular advantage that an optical system with precise dimensions can be produced and, moreover, can be manufactured with exceptional flexibility, thus meeting specific requirements. The use of a 3D printing process makes it possible in a special way to produce extremely small structures, so that the individual stud elements or pins arranged in a grid pattern on the surface of the base plate can be made comparatively small.In this way, particularly compact optical systems, i.e., assemblies with optical components, can be realized using individual, even very small, optical components. Of particular importance here is that, with the help of 3D printing processes, a comparatively high level of precision can be achieved even when using relatively inexpensive 3D printers (Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printers).

[0018] In a further particular embodiment, the base plate has at least one plug-in element via which the base plate can be plugged together at at least one side edge with at least one further base plate, which also has grid-like mounting points. Preferably, a base plate has plug-in elements that have both plugs and receptacles, so that further base plates with a suitably compatible mating contour can be attached to the base plate. It is therefore conceivable to design a base plate in such a way that it can be plugged together with at least one further base plate in order to adjust the size of the provided base area as needed for an optical measurement. Small or larger measurement setups can thus be realized as required.By connecting individual base plates with studded elements, which are preferably arranged in the same grid dimension, a high-precision basic structure with studded elements is provided, onto which different holders with the attached optical elements can be attached.

[0019] According to the invention, the base plate has at least one connecting element on its underside opposite the studded elements, via which the base plate can be connected to an optical stage that has a grid of internally threaded bores. According to this embodiment, an optical system with the base plate designed according to the invention is mounted on a conventional optical stage. In this case, a suitably designed connecting element, namely a bore, is provided on the base plate, via which the base plate can be connected to the optical stage.According to the invention, the connecting element of the base plate is designed as a stepped bore with two different diameters, so that the base plate can be fastened by means of a screw, preferably a socket head cap screw or a Torx screw, which is screwed into the threaded bores provided for this purpose in the optical stage. The screw head rests with its threaded side on a stop surface located at the transition from the bore section with the larger diameter to the bore section with the smaller diameter. Preferably, the base plate is mounted on an optical stage made of steel or aluminum. In principle, it is conceivable that such a connection could be achieved by a plug-in, clamping, or, as described above, screw connection, whereby only the screw connection in conjunction with the stepped bore in the base plate falls within the scope of the claims.

[0020] In this context, according to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is conceivable that the base plate with the grid-like arranged stud elements is designed in such a way that it can be combined with standardized optical tables, which in Europe, for example, have holes with M6 internal threads arranged in a 25 mm grid. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the mounting points or the stud elements provided in the area of ​​the mounting points are arranged in a grid taking into account an Anglo-American system of measurement, in particular the so-called imperial units. In this case, it may be advantageous, for example, if the centers of adjacent mounting points have a distance of 25.4 mm.

[0021] According to this embodiment, it is possible to connect a base plate, preferably manufactured by 3D printing, to an optical stage using suitable connecting elements, in particular by means of a screw connection. Furthermore, it is conceivable to attach one or more base plates to a conventional optical stage, thus making it possible to provide a kind of adapter between the grid of the optical stage and a freely selectable grid formed by the studded elements on the surface of the base plate. Multiple base plates and / or holders, with or without optical components, can also be arranged one above the other, enabling the fabrication of special three-dimensional optical assemblies.In principle, by applying at least one base plate to conventional optical tables, multi-layered combinations of an optical table and at least one base plate, which has a plurality of grid-arranged stud elements on its surface, can be produced. If several base plates also have the previously described plug-in elements for connecting at least two base plates, base plates can be arranged together across the surface of a conventional optical table. Furthermore, plugging the individual base plates together ensures that no grid shifts occur at the transitions between two base plates, which are preferably manufactured by means of a 3D printing process, and that the high-precision grid arrangement of the stud elements is maintained even despite the transition.

[0022] Advantageously, the base plate comprises a comparatively flexible material, in particular a plastic produced by the polymerization of PLA, so that a base plate with extremely high accuracy is provided with regard to the arrangement and design of the individual stud elements or pins. Such a base plate is preferably manufactured by 3D printing, in particular by means of filament printing or fused deposition modeling (FDM). A significant advantage here is that the horizontal resolution of typical FDM printers is approximately 0.005 mm.The disadvantage that, depending on the printer chosen, precise surfaces are sometimes not produced, but rather exhibit a certain roughness, can be compensated for by selecting the material for the base plate and / or the holder such that the parts to be joined or abutting each other are flexible within certain limits and are pressed into the required shape during assembly. According to a specific embodiment of the invention, one or more base plates and at least one holder of an optical system designed according to the invention are printed from a single material.

[0023] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the base plate has a grid dimension such that the distance between the centers of two adjacent mounting points is less than 25 mm. This takes into account that, due to the studded elements provided on the surface of the base plate according to the invention, which are preferably produced by means of a 3D printing process, particularly precise small structures can be manufactured. Therefore, it is advantageously provided that the base plate has a grid dimension such that 25 mm is an integer multiple of the distance between the centers of two adjacent mounting points. A particularly advantageous way is to create a grid in which the distance between two mounting points, or rather their centers, is 12.5 mm.This distance is therefore exactly half the distance between two adjacent mounting points, as is standard practice in Europe for optical tables.

[0024] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the holder has a cuboid or cube-shaped base structure within which the fastening element and the receptacle for the optical element are arranged. Preferably, a holder is provided which has a fastening element on approximately one side, particularly on the underside, with a recess that is preferably round, polygonal, rectangular, or square in cross-section, wherein at least one recess for fixing the holder is inserted over at least one studded element of the base plate. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, at least one receptacle for the releasable fastening of an optical element is provided on the opposite side of the holder.Preferably, the receptacle is designed such that the optical element can be fixed in and removed from it without tools. It is particularly advantageous if the optical element can simply be inserted or clamped into the receptacle. The receptacle for the optical element is designed, either structurally or materially, such that when an optical element is inserted, the receptacle undergoes elastic deformation, returning to its original position and / or regaining its original shape as soon as the optical element is removed. Advantageously, this eliminates the need for additional fixing elements in the area of ​​the receptacle for the optical element.Due to the highly precise grid of studded elements onto which the holder is mounted, additional adjustment of the optical element is unnecessary, especially since the grid precisely defines both the arrangement and the orientation of the holder. Naturally, it is conceivable to design and / or select the holders depending on the type of measurement. For example, it is possible to further develop a holder and / or equip it with suitable mechanics or electromechanics to provide a so-called kinematic mount for an optical element. This kinematic mount is connected to the base plate directly or indirectly via the studded elements arranged in a grid according to the invention.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one holder is designed to be light-tight, so that no ambient light falls on the at least one optical element arranged in the holder's receptacle and / or on the optical path arranged within the holder, along which a light beam, in particular a laser beam, travels during a test. Preferably, the holder has an opening on at least one side through which an optical element can be inserted into the holder and fixed in the receptacle, and which can be closed light-tight by a cover.

[0026] In addition to an optical system, the invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an optical system in which a base plate with mounting points arranged in a grid is provided, at least one holder is fixed in the area of ​​a mounting point, and an optical element is attached in a receptacle of the holder. According to the invention, this method has been further developed such that raised stud elements or pins are formed at the mounting points of the base plate, and the holder is fixed by attaching a mounting element of the holder to at least one stud element. Preferably, the fixing is achieved by creating at least a slight clamping connection.It is therefore essential to the invention that a base plate with raised projections, so-called stud elements or pins, arranged in a regular grid, is provided, onto which at least one holder of the optical system is attached. The holder is attached in such a way that its fastening element forms a clamping connection or press fit with one or more stud elements.

[0027] Advantageously, once the holder is in the attached position, a stud element or a plurality of stud elements are arranged within the holder's fastening element. If, when the holder is attached, a fastening element receives a plurality of stud elements, then at least the stud elements located on the outer circumference of the enclosed grid contact the holder's fastening element.

[0028] According to a particular embodiment of the inventive method, the base plate and / or at least one of the holders is manufactured by 3D printing. A filament printing process, specifically fused deposition modeling (FDM), is advantageously suited as the 3D printing method. A key advantage here is that precise structures can be produced even with relatively simple and inexpensive printers. Since such printers are relatively inexpensive and available in larger quantities, it is conceivable, for example, that laboratories performing optical measurements could use this method to produce base plates and / or suitable holders on demand, flexibly, and cost-effectively.

[0029] A further embodiment of the invention provides that the base plate and / or at least one of the holders is manufactured by 3D printing, preferably using at least one polyamide as the printing material. Preferably, PA 6 (trade name Perlon), PA 11, or PA 12 is used as the printing material. PA 6.6 (trade name Nylon) is particularly preferred. PA 6.6 is a polyhexamethylene adipamide.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that, after the fastening element is attached to the at least one stud element, at least one screw is screwed into a bore arranged in the fastening element in such a way that an internal thread is formed in the bore, at least temporarily, and the screw, at least with its forward end (in the direction of movement), contacts the stud element. Such a screw connection thus provides additional fixation of the holder to the base plate. This ensures that the holder remains precisely in the position to which it was originally placed. Furthermore, subsequent loosening of the holder and / or the associated misalignment of an optical element is reliably prevented.

[0031] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments and the figures, without limiting the general concept of the invention. These figures show: Fig. 1: Perspective view of a base plate of an optical system according to the invention; Fig. 2: Perspective view of a holder of an optical system according to the invention; Fig. 3: Top view of the underside of a holder of an optical system according to the invention; Fig. 4: Perspective view of a specially designed base plate of an optical system according to the invention; Fig. 5: Representation of a complex holding structure that can accommodate a plurality of optical elements and is provided for mounting on a base plate of an optical system according to the invention; Fig. 6: Optical stage with a base plate attached to it, onto which holders for receiving different optical elements are mounted; and Fig. 7: Integration of an interferometer into a 3D arrangement of an optical system according to the invention.

[0032] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a base plate 2 as used for an optical system 1 according to the invention. The in Fig. 1 Base plate 2, as shown, was manufactured from polyacetide (PLA) using a 3D printing process, specifically fusion deposition modeling. The resulting base plate 2 is therefore made of a plastic produced by the polymerization of a synthetic polymer, in this case polylactic acid.

[0033] Essential for use in an optical system according to the invention is 1 that the base plate 2 has stud elements 6 or pins arranged on its surface in a regular and precise grid, serving as attachment points 3.

[0034] The distance between the centers of the individual adjacent stud elements 6 is 12.5 mm. The individual stud elements 6 have a hollow cylindrical contour and represent protrusions on the surface of the base plate 2. To fix a holder 4 to the base plate 2, a fastening element 7 of the holder 4 is attached to a stud element 6 or a plurality of stud elements 6. The holder 4 is fixed to the stud elements 6 of the base plate 2 in such a way that the holder 4 is precisely positioned and aligned and reliably fixed, in particular clamped, to the stud elements 6.

[0035] Furthermore, the [unclear] in the Fig. 1 The base plate 2 is attached to an optical stage 12 via connecting elements 11. The connecting elements 11 are designed as recesses, specifically as stepped bores with two different diameters along the bore axis. The bores forming the connecting elements 11 are dimensioned such that an M6 socket head cap screw or M6 Torx screw can be inserted through the stepped bore and screwed into a corresponding threaded bore 13 in the optical stage 12 to secure the base plate 2 to the optical stage 12. The screw head of the M6 ​​socket head cap screw or M6 Torx screw is completely enclosed within the bore section with the larger diameter.The underside of a screw head arranged in the stepped bore, facing the screw thread, rests on a surface that forms the boundary between the two sections of the stepped bore having different diameters, so that the base plate 2 is securely attached to an optical table 12.

[0036] The base plate 2 also has plug-in elements 9 on its side edge 10, which function as plugs 15 on one side and receptacles 14 on the other. These plug-in elements 9 allow at least two base plates 2 to be connected to each other with precise positioning. The plug-in elements 9 are arranged such that the grid dimensions of the base plates 2 connected via the plug-in elements 9 are aligned identically. If two such base plates 2 are plugged together via the plug-in elements 9 and fastened, for example, on an optical table 12 using screws, large surface areas for optical measurement setups can be provided as needed. Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a holder 4 for receiving an optical element 5, which has a cuboid-colored basic structure. The in Fig. 2 The illustrated holder 4 has fastening elements 7 in the form of through holes that can be attached to studded elements 6 of a base plate 2. According to the illustrated embodiment, the fastening elements 7 of the holder 4 are also arranged in a grid pattern on the underside of the holder 4, the grid spacing of the holder 4 corresponding to the grid spacing of the base plate 2. Each of the fastening elements 7 on the underside of the holder 4 can accommodate a studded element 6 for fixing the holder 4 to the base plate 2. Furthermore, channel-shaped recesses 32 are provided in the holder wall in the area of ​​the corners of the holder. Such channel-shaped recesses 32 allow the insertion of an additional fixing element (not shown here), in particular a screw, which, when inserted, provides additional fixation of the holder 4 to the studded elements 6 of a base plate.Due to the use of a comparatively soft material for the holder 4 and the base plate 2, an additional fixing agent can be easily inserted into the base plate, in particular into the studded element 6 assigned to the fastening element 4.

[0037] Furthermore, the holder 4 has a receptacle 14 to which an optical element 5, preferably a kinematic mount with a deflecting mirror, can be attached. Openings 17 in the form of bores are provided on the outer surfaces of the holder 4, through which radiation, in particular laser radiation, used for performing an optical measurement, can enter and exit the holder 4. An optical element 5, held in the receptacle 14, can be positioned along the beam path between the two openings 17. The holder 4 is thus designed such that the radiation required for a measurement can enter the holder 4, strike an optical element 5, and then exit the holder 4.If a measurement must not be disturbed by ambient light, such holders 4 can be fitted with suitable covers and / or arranged such that light exiting a holder 4 enters directly into another holder 4 or an optical element 5 arranged directly on the base plate 2, thus ensuring light tightness. The four additional bores provided, which surround the openings 17 distributed around the circumference, represent additional screw holes 33 that allow the mounting of a kinematic mount.

[0038] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a top view of the underside of a holder 4, which has through holes arranged in a grid pattern as fastening elements 7. The figure 1 shows the mounting points for the mounting points. Fig. 3 The holder 4 can be attached to correspondingly arranged stud elements 6 of a base plate 2 using the holes shown. In this context, it is conceivable, as in Fig. 3 It is shown that certain fastening elements 7a, in particular recesses, are designed with respect to their shape such that they can only be attached to specially provided stud elements 6 with a suitable counter contour. According to the Fig. 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the holder 4 has two recesses on its underside serving as special fastening elements 7a. These recesses do not have a circular cross-section but rather a chamfer on one side. A holder 4 designed in this way can therefore only be fixed to a base plate 2 if the special fastening elements 7a, whose contour deviates from a circular shape and whose outer diameter is chosen to be so small that a stud element with a circular outer contour cannot be inserted, can be attached to correspondingly designed stud elements 6 on the base plate 2, which in particular have the same contour. In this way, it can be ensured that this holder 4 can only be fixed to a base plate 2 in specific positions and / or in a specific orientation.

[0039] Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows a special embodiment of a base plate 2 according to the invention for an optical system. As shown in Figure 2, the base plate 2 is designed according to the invention. Fig. 4 As can be clearly seen, the shape, in particular the size and outer contour of a base plate 2, can be adapted to the respective requirements. The in Fig. 4 The base plate 2 shown has a comparatively large recess 18 in which, for example, a large optical element 5, such as an interferometer, can be arranged.

[0040] The base plate 2 has plug-in elements 9 in the form of plugs 15 and receptacles 16 along its side edges 10, allowing it to be plugged together with other similarly designed base plates 2 and, for example, screwed onto an optical stage 12 using the connecting elements 11 provided. The connection to the optical stage 12 is advantageously achieved using socket head cap screws or Torx screws, which are inserted into the correspondingly stepped bores and screwed into the internal threads provided on the optical stage 12.

[0041] In Fig. 5 This section demonstrates how flexibly an optical system 1 designed according to the invention can be constructed. In particular, when using a 3D printer to manufacture at least individual components of the optical system 1 according to the invention, it is possible to adapt these components to specific requirements, especially special measurement setups, and to manufacture them with high precision. The [document / section] Fig. 5 The optical component 19 shown has a plurality of receptacles 14 into which individual optical elements 5, optical assemblies and / or optical devices required for a specific measurement setup can be inserted.

[0042] The optical component 19 itself has fastening elements 7 on its underside in the form of bores or through-holes, by means of which the optical component 19 can be fixed to a base plate 2 of an optical system 1 designed according to the invention. In particular, the use of a 3D printing process for the production of components for the construction of an optical system 1 enables a very flexible and at the same time precise production of the individual components, especially the at least one required base plate 2 and / or the required holders 4 for receiving one or more optical, mechanical and / or electromechanical components.

[0043] As the above explanations show, it is essential for the invention that the studded elements 6 of the base plate define a grid of attachment points 3, which, however, does not limit the size of the optical components 5 to be mounted on the base plate 2. For light-tight setups, it is also advantageous to use cuboid-shaped holders 4 equipped with a cover. Alternatively, instead of a cover, another holder 4 and / or another optical component 5 can be attached to create complex three-dimensional measurement setups and / or to use complex components with multiple optics. If, for example, several components are to be tested in one setup, it is also conceivable to print individual components or assemblies, or even the entire setup, in a single step.

[0044] In this context, two alternative approaches are fundamentally conceivable for the production of an optical system 1 according to the invention. Either the base plate 2 with the holders 4 and preferably the optical components 5 located therein is printed in one block as a single optical component 19, or several components are printed and attached to the base plate 2 in the desired arrangement in one or more planes. The production of individual components has the advantage that assemblies of any size can be realized and that changes to the overall assembly can also be made later. In contrast, printing several components as a single assembly offers the advantage that the positioning of the various optical elements 5 relative to each other is determined solely by the quality, in particular the spatial resolution, of the 3D printer.To increase positioning accuracy, especially with larger holders 4 or components, these are preferably mounted on a base plate 2 by being secured by snapping them onto a plurality of studded elements 6. Optical assemblies can be produced relatively quickly and cost-effectively using a 3D printing process, in particular fused deposition molding, with polyacetide (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymers (ABS), or other suitable carbon fiber-reinforced plastics. Furthermore, individual components can be quickly adapted to specific requirements.

[0045] Due to the provision of an optical system 1 based on a plug-in system according to the invention, relatively quickly modified setups can be tested by simply repositioning holders 4 and / or other components. Typical components, such as 90° deflecting mirrors, can be reused repeatedly and preferably printed in large quantities. Likewise, an optical system 1 designed according to the invention can be used as an extension on typical optical stages 12, and stand-alone solutions are also feasible.

[0046] Should a measurement setup require the use of kinematic holders or mounts, these can also be integrated into a 3D printing process or inserted into holder 4, which were manufactured by 3D printing.

[0047] Further advantages of using plastic materials for optical systems include the low thermal conductivity of plastic compared to previously used materials. This is particularly beneficial when using temperature-stabilized components, especially in interferometers.

[0048] In addition to the integration of optical elements 5, mechanical, electromechanical, and / or electronic components can also be integrated into an optical system 1 designed according to the invention. As already mentioned, various materials are available that can be processed using cost-effective printers. For vacuum applications and high-strength applications at higher temperatures, for example, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) can be used appropriately. Furthermore, the use of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymers (ABS) is particularly advantageous at temperatures up to 100 °C. Modifying the optical systems 1 designed according to the invention, preferably manufactured by 3D printing, is also relatively easy, since CAD design and the transfer of corresponding data to a 3D printer are possible.

[0049] To illustrate which setups can be realized with an optical system 1 designed according to the invention, the following is shown. Fig. 6 An optical table 12 with an attached base plate 2, onto which holders 4 with receptacles 14 for various optical elements 5 are mounted. The holders 4 with the optical elements 5 mounted therein can be provided in cube or freeform configurations, as shown, and mounted onto a base plate 2. To ensure additional fixation of the holders 4 to the base plate 2, additional fixing elements 8 in the form of screws are provided, which are screwed at least partially into the base plate 2, in particular into the studded elements 6. Since the base plate 2 and thus also the studded elements 6 are made of a relatively soft material, the screws displace or cut into the material of the base plate 2 during the screwing process, so that a thread is formed in which the screws are securely held.By providing such additional fixing means 8, it is ensured that the holder 4 does not detach from the base plate 2 during a measurement and remains in the required position and orientation.

[0050] In the Fig. 6 In the illustrated embodiment, polarizing mirrors 20, 21 and further optical elements 5 are provided for splitting and guiding the light beam. In particular, a fiber coupler 22 and a connector 23 for optical waveguides 24 are integrated into the assembly.

[0051] At the in Fig. 6 In the specific embodiment shown, two 3D-printed base plates 2 are provided, which are interlocked using plug-in elements 9 and screwed onto an optical stage 12. Apertures 25 are also attached to the base plate 2 for checking the alignment.

[0052] In the Fig. 6 In the optical system 1 shown, a light beam is split into two polarized partial beams, the polarization is rotated, and the beams are re-coupled at different strengths. The beam displacement occurring when passing through the inclined optics was compensated for by correspondingly shifting the optics in the CAD model. Except for the fiber coupling 20, the setup shown requires no adjustable components.

[0053] Fig. 7 Figure 1 further shows the integration of an interferometer 26 into an optical system 1 designed according to the invention. Here, too, the individual components were manufactured by 3D printing. In the background, a 3D-printed cover 27 is shown, with which the interferometer 26 can be covered to achieve greater stability against temperature changes. The entire system is further shown in Figure 1. Fig. 7 The optical system 1 shown is designed to be light-tight. Since the components shown in the background partially have two optical elements 5 arranged one above the other, these components are somewhat taller. The kinematic holders 28 used can be identified by the provided adjustment screws 29. Gaps to be bridged between individual optical elements 5 are closed with the help of empty and closed holders 4, which are also cube-shaped. The in Fig. 7 The optical system 1 shown is used for detecting extremely low light intensities (single photon counting). The detector 30 required for this purpose is integrated into the setup in a vertical orientation. The light-tight connection is achieved using an adapter manufactured by 3D printing.

[0054] Detector 30 has a cathode with a diameter of 0.17 mm. Since its position varies from detector to detector, a kinematic holder is provided. The exact distance of the optics in front of detector 30 was determined using a separate optical setup, and the lens was printed to match this detector 30. Each detector requires an individual adjustment of the lens spacing on the order of less than 1 mm. The lens, not shown, is located under one of the covers 31. Also in Fig. 7 It thus becomes clear that even comparatively complicated measurement setups requiring high precision can be advantageously realized using an optical system designed according to the invention. Reference symbol list

[0055] 1 Optical system 2 Base plate 3 Mounting point 4 Holder 5 Optical element 6 Knob element 7 Mounting element 7 Special fastener 8 Additional fixing device 9 Plug-in element 10 Side edge 11 Connecting element 12 Optical stage 13 Hole in optical stage 14 Receptacle 15 Plug 16 Plug-in receptacle 17 Opening for light entry in holder 18 Large recess 19 Optical component 20 Polarizing mirror 21 Polarizing mirror 22 Fiber coupler 23 Optical fiber connection 24 Optical fiber 25 Aperture 26 Interferometer 27 Cover 28 Kinematic holder 29 Adjustment screw 30 Detector 31 Cover 32 Grooved recess 33 Screw hole

Claims

1. An optical system (1) with a base plate (2) having fastening points (3) arranged in a grid and with at least one holder (4) for receiving an optical element (5), which holder can be fixed to at least one of the fastening points (3), wherein the fastening points (3) are in the form of stud elements (6), which are arranged in the grid at equal distances from one another, and the holder (4) has a fastening element (7), which can be attached onto at least one of the stud elements (6) for fixing the holder (4) to the base plate (2), characterized in that the base plate (2) has at least one connecting element (11) in the form of a stepped bore with two different bore diameters, via which the fastening plate (2) can be connected to an optical table (12), said table having internally threaded bores (13) arranged in a grid pattern.

2. The optical system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one additional fixing means (8) is provided on the fastening element (7), which is connected to the at least one stud element (6), onto which the fastening element (7) is attached, while the holder (4) is fixed to the base plate (2).

3. The optical system according to claim 2, characterized in that the additional fixing means (8) comprises a bore in the fastening element (7) with a screw arranged therein.

4. The optical system according to claim 3, characterized in that the screw is designed as a thread-cutting screw.

5. The optical system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base plate (2) and / or the holder (4) comprises a printed material.

6. The optical system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base plate (2) and / or the holder (4) comprises a plastic manufactured from a synthetic polymer, in particular from at least one polyactide (PLA).

7. The optical system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base plate (2) comprises at least one pluggable element (9), via which the base plate (2), with at least one lateral edge (10), can be plugged together with at least one further base plate having fastening points arranged in the shape of a grid.

8. The optical system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base plate (2) has such a grid dimension that the distance between the centers of at least two adjacent fastening points (3) is less than 25 mm.

9. The optical system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base plate (2) has such a grid dimension that 25 mm is an integer multiple of a distance between the centers of at least two adjacent fastening points (3).

10. The optical system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder (4) comprises a cuboid or cube-shaped basic structure, within which the fastening element (7) and the receptacle (14) for the optical element (5) are arranged.

11. The optical system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one holder (4) comprises a removable cover (31) protecting an interior space of the holder (4) from light incidence.

12. A method for manufacturing an optical system (1) according to any one of claims 1-11, in which a base plate (2) with fastening points (3) arranged in a grid is provided, at least one holder (4) is fixed in the area of a fastening point (3) and an optical element (5) is fastened in a receptacle (14) of the holder (4), wherein stud elements (6) raised from a plate surface are formed at the fastening points (3) of the base plate (2) and the holder (4) is fixed by attaching a fastening element (7) of the holder (4) onto at least one stud element (6), whereby a clamping connection is established, characterized in that the base plate is fastened to an optical table by inserting a screw with an external thread through a stepped bore with two different diameters provided in the base plate and screwing it into an internal thread arranged in a bore arranged in the optical table.

13. The method for manufacturing an optical system according to claim 12, characterized in that the base plate (2) and / or at least one of the holders (4) is at least partially manufactured by 3D printing.

14. The method for manufacturing an optical system according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that, after attaching the fastening element (7) onto the at least one stud element (6), as an additional fixing means (8), at least one screw is screwed into a bore arranged in the fastening element (7) such that hereby an internal thread is formed in the bore and the screw touches the stud element (7) at least with its front end in the direction of movement.

15. An optical table having an optical system according to at least one of claims 1 to 11 attached or attachable thereto.