Pivoting optics mount

#Many types of optical instruments rely on angular adjustments of optical elements within the instruments to align, focus or direct optical beams. For example, angular adjustments of diffraction gratings and reflectors within an optical monochromator are relied upon to direct internal optical beams, enabling the monochromator to analyze spectral content of applied optical signals. As optical instruments become more complex and as optical subsystems within the instruments become more compact, correspondingly more constraints are placed on the angular adjustment systems that are included in the instruments. A commercially available angular adjustment system that includes a ball and socket stage is too large to be included in a physically compact optical subsystem. In addition, placing this type of commercially available angular adjustment system in an optical instrument with an optical element mounted to the stage results in optical beams within the instrument being obstructed by the stage. Accordingly, there is a need for an angular adjustment system that is suitable for use in optical instruments, especially those that are complex and those that include physically compact optical subsytems.

#A pivoting optics mount constructed according to the embodiment of the present invention is physically compact and suitable for inclusion in a variety of optical instruments. The pivoting optics mount includes an optical element set on an optics holder that has a pivot element. Three actuators included in the pivoting optics mount collectively maintain a mating of the pivot element with a complementary pivot element in a frame. Adjusting the lateral displacement of a tip of one or more of the actuators provides angular adjustment of the optical element set on the optics holder. The frame fixes the position of the complementary pivot element relative to the actuators.

#FIG. 1A shows a perspective front view of the pivoting optics mount constructed according to the embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 1B shows a perspective rear view of the pivoting optics mount constructed according to the embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 1C shows a side view of the pivoting optics mount constructed according to the embodiment of the present invention.

#FIGS. 1A-1C show the pivoting optics mount 10 constructed according to the embodiment of the present invention. The pivoting optics mount 10 is suitable for inclusion in an optical monochromator, spectrum analyzer, interferometer, wavelength meter or other type of optical instrument or system having performance dependent on angular adjustments of an optical element 15. Typically, one or more of the pivoting optics mounts 10 is positioned on an optical stage 11 (shown in FIG. 2) as part of an optical subsystem 13 or module within the optical instrument or system. FIG. 2 shows an example of two or more pivoting optics mounts directing optical beams OB in the optical subsystem 13 of an optical monochromator. Alternatively, the pivoting optics mount 10 is a stand-alone apparatus of custom or re-configurable optical set-ups. A frame 12 enables the pivoting optics mount 10 to be mounted on, or coupled to, a variety of platforms, subsystems, or modules.

#The pivoting optics mount 10 includes an optics holder 14 upon which the optical element is set. FIGS. 3A-3B are views of the optics holder 14 removed from the frame 12 of the pivoting optics mount 10. Typically, the optical element 15 is a mirror, corner reflector, retro-reflector, diffraction grating, aperture, lens, filter, prism, fiber connector, or other optical component. Alternatively, the optical element 15 is an array or a combination of mirrors, corner reflectors, retro-reflectors, diffraction gratings, apertures, lenses, filters, prisms, fiber connectors or other optical components. Typically, the optical element 15 set on the optics holder 14 is a separate element or component from the optics holder 14 and mounted on or to the optics holder 14 using any of a variety of adhesives or fasteners. Alternatively, the optical element 15 is an integral part of the optics holder 14. For example, one or more mirrors, corner reflectors, retro-reflectors or apertures are diamond cut, cast, stamped, or micro-machined directly into the optics holder 14. Known replication techniques suitable for forming these types of optical elements 15 are alternatively used to set the optical element 15 in the optics holder 14.

#The pivoting optics mount 10 includes three actuators 16a-16c. As shown in the side view of the pivoting optics mount 10 in FIG. 1C, each of the actuators 16a-16c has a corresponding tip 17a-17c that contacts the optics holder 14. The actuators 16a-16c are distributed about a pivot element 18 of the optics holder 14 so that collectively, the actuators provide a resulting force on a side 19a of the optics holder 14 that maintains a mating of the pivot element 18 on a side 19b of the optics holder 14 with a complementary pivot element 20. When the pivot element 18 is a concave recess in the optics holder 14, such as a cylindrical bore having a flat bottom or a curved bottom, a conical bore, or a spherical indentation, the complementary pivot element 20 is a convex protrusion from a frame portion 11a, such as a spherical sector, or a conical pin as shown in the detailed view of FIG. 4A. When the pivot element 18 is a convex protrusion from the optics holder 14, the complementary pivot element 20 is a concave recess in the frame portion 11a as shown in the detailed view of FIG. 4B. In an alternative shown in the detailed view of FIG. 4C, the pivot element 18 and complementary pivot element 20 collectively include concave recesses 21a, 21b in each of the optics holder 14 and the frame portion 11a, and a ball 21c received by the concave recesses.