Alignment Interferometer Telescope Angular Error Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Alignment telescopes lack the precision and fidelity in measuring angular errors and object alignment due to limitations in their interferometric capabilities, particularly when dealing with reflective objects.
Innovation Solution
The development of an alignment interferometer telescope (AIT) that combines a standard alignment telescope with a large unequal path interferometer, utilizing a coherent laser source, beam splitters, and reticles to enhance measurement fidelity by producing and combining reference and test laser waves for improved alignment and interference analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a standard alignment telescope is used, then the device complexity is low and it is easy to operate, but the measurement precision of angular errors is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges a standard alignment telescope with a large unequal path interferometer into a single integrated device. The alignment telescope provides the optical path and viewing capability, while the interferometer components (beam splitters, mirrors, reticles) are incorporated within the same apparatus to enable precise angular error measurements through interference patterns, thereby achieving high measurement precision without requiring a completely separate complex interferometer system.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment interferometer telescope serves multiple functions: it acts as both an alignment telescope for visual observation and an interferometer for precise angular measurement. The single device can perform both alignment tasks and measurement tasks, reducing the need for separate instruments and simplifying the overall system while maintaining high precision capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If interferometric capabilities are added to improve measurement fidelity, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interferometric components (beam splitters, reference mirror, test mirror, reticles) are integrated within the existing alignment telescope structure rather than being separate components. This merging approach enables interferometric measurement capabilities while utilizing the shared optical path and mounting structure of the alignment telescope, thereby improving measurement fidelity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The AIT provides enhanced alignment precision and fidelity by producing a combined laser wave for accurate interference analysis, allowing for better measurement of angular errors and object alignment, particularly with reflective objects, while maintaining compatibility with existing mounting hardware.
Implementation Method 1
a coherent laser source configured to produce a coherent laser wave
Implementation Method 2
The interference location is configured to combine the reference path laser wave and the test path laser wave to produce a combined laser wave
Implementation Method 3
The first beam splitter is configured to receive the coherent laser wave and to split the coherent laser wave into a reference path laser wave and into a test path laser wave
Implementation Method 4
The reference spherical mirror is configured to receive the reference path laser wave and to reflect the reference path laser wave to the interference location
Implementation Method 5
The objective lens is configured to transmit the test path laser wave to an object outside the alignment interferometer telescope apparatus and to receive the test path laser wave upon reflection from the object
Data Source
AI summary
An alignment interferometer telescope apparatus comprises a coherent laser source, a first beam splitter, a reference spherical mirror, a light source, first and second reticles, and a second beam splitter. At an interference location within the apparatus, a reference laser wave and a test laser wave are allowed to interfere to produce a combined laser wave.