Spatial light modulator alignment
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJonathan Maram, Jeffrey Hunt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and system for aligning a spatial light modulator with respect to an imaging device is disclosed. An image of the spatial light modulator can be formed upon the imaging device and a controller can be used to position optical elements in a manner that effects translation, rotation, and scaling of the image so as to provide desired alignment. Such alignment can, for example, facilitate enhanced wavefront correction so as to at least partially compensate for the detrimental effects of atmospheric distortion in such applications as optical communications, imaging, and weaponry.
Claims21
A method for aligning a spatial light modulator with respect to an imaging device, the method comprising:
- forming an image of the spatial light modulator upon the imaging device;
- determining the alignment of pixels of the spatial light modulator with respect to corresponding pixels of the imaging device;
- and
- manipulating alignment optics to enhance alignment of the pixels of the spatial light modulator with respect to corresponding pixels of the imaging device.
A method for wavefront correction, the method comprising:
- aligning a spatial light modulator with respect to an imaging device by:
- forming an image of the spatial light modulator upon the imaging device;
- determining the alignment of pixels of the spatial light modulator with respect to corresponding pixels of the imaging device;
- manipulating alignment optics to enhance alignment of the pixels of the spatial light modulator with respect to corresponding pixels of the imaging device;
- and
- using the spatial light modulator to correct phase distortions in a wavefront of light transmitted therethrough.
An alignment system for aligning a spatial light modulator with respect to an imaging device, the alignment system comprising:
- an imaging device upon which an image of the spatial light modulator can be formed;
- a controller for determining an alignment of pixels of the spatial light modulator with respect to corresponding pixels of the imaging device;
- and
- alignment optics for enhancing the alignment of the pixels of the spatial light modulator with respect to corresponding pixels of the imaging device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.