Compact optical mount optimized for stability in physically and thermally dynamic applications
AssigneeDimer Instruments, Inc.
InventorsShiladitya Sen, Andrew Amaral, Michael Larkin
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Abstract
A compact optical mount optimized for stability in physically and thermally dynamic applications is disclosed. An example optical mount apparatus includes a body. The body includes a bore for an optical element, a first opening for a first fastener, and a first flexure arm. Tightening of the first fastener of the optical mount apparatus against the first flexure arm causes a second flexure arm to pivot around a flexure element and increase a size of the bore.
Claims25
An optical mount apparatus, the optical mount apparatus comprising:
- a body comprising:
- a bore for an optical element;
- a first opening for a first fastener;
- and
- a first flexure arm, wherein tightening of the first fastener against the first flexure arm causes a second flexure arm to pivot around a flexure element and increase a size of the bore.
An optical mount apparatus, the optical mount apparatus comprising:
- a body comprising:
- a bore for an optical element on a top plate;
- a first alignment flexure between a top plate of the body and a middle plate of the body, the top plate including the bore;
- and
- a second alignment flexure between the middle plate and a lower plate of the body, wherein the first alignment flexure and the second alignment flexure flexing adjusts an the angle of the top plate;
- and
- a first ball-ended alignment screw;
- and
- a first hard flat on a bottom portion of the top plate;
- wherein tightening the first ball-ended alignment screw against the first hard flat causes flexion in the first alignment flexure.
A method of designing an optical mount apparatus, the method including:
- determining a first thermal expansion of a screw portion of the optical mount apparatus;
- determining a second thermal expansion of a hinge portion of the optical mount apparatus;
- determining a differential expansion based on a difference between the first thermal expansion and the second thermal expansion;
- and
- selecting materials for one or more components of the optical mount apparatus and selecting dimensions of one or more components of the optical mount apparatus to minimize the differential expansion.
A method for mounting an optical element in an optical mount, the method including:
- tightening a first fastener in a body of the optical mount to increase a size of a bore in the body of the optical mount;
- inserting the optical element in the bore;
- and
- removing the first fastener from the body of the optical mount.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.