Optical alignment system
AssigneeCyberOptics Corporation
InventorsSteven K. Case, Gregory S. Mowry, Timothy A. Skunes, Patrick J. Garfield, John T. McElreath
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Abstract
An optical alignment system is provided for aligning an optical module of the type which is suitable for use in an optical device. The system includes a reference base having a registration feature that aligns with a registration feature of the optical module. An optical sensor senses an optical characteristic of the optical element and optical element manipulator moves the optical element relative to the registration features of the optical module. A controller operates the optical element manipulator.
Claims45
An apparatus for aligning an optical component in an optical module, comprising:
- a reference base having a registration feature configured to align with a registration feature of the optical module;
- a sensor configured to respond to an optical characteristic of the optical element, the optical characteristic varying with at least one degree of freedom relative to the registration feature of the optical module, and responsively provide a sensor output;
- an optical component manipulator configured to provide relative movement between the optical component and the registration features of the optical module;
- and
- wherein the registration features provide substantially kinematic coupling between the reference base and optical module.
A method for prealigning an optical module having an optical component and a relative reference mount comprising:
- aligning the relative reference mount with registration features of a reference base;
- positioning the optical component proximate the relative reference mount;
- aligning the optical component with an optical component reference;
- coupling the optical component to the relative reference mount when the optical component is aligned with the optical reference to thereby fix the position of the optical component relative to registration features of the relative reference mount to thereby form the optical module;
- removing the optical module from the reference base;
- and
- wherein aligning the relative reference mount comprises kinematically coupling the relative reference mount to the reference base.
An apparatus for aligning an optical component in an optical module, comprising:
- a reference base having a registration feature configured to align with a registration feature of the optical module;
- a sensor configured to respond to an optical characteristic of the optical element, the optical characteristic varying with at least one degree of freedom relative to the registration feature of the optical module, and responsively provide a sensor output;
- an optical component manipulator configured to provide relative movement between the optical component and the registration features of the optical module;
- wherein the registration features comprise protrusion and depression.
A method for prealigning an optical module having an optical component and a relative reference mount comprising:
- aligning the relative reference mount with registration features of a reference base;
- positioning the optical component proximate the relative reference mount;
- aligning the optical component with an optical component reference;
- coupling the optical component to the relative reference mount when the optical component is aligned with the optical reference to thereby fix the position of the optical component relative to registration features of the relative reference mount to thereby form the optical module;
- removing the optical module from the reference base;
- and
- wherein coupling the optical component to the relative reference mount includes activating a heater to heat solder.
A method for prealigning an optical module having an optical component and a relative reference mount comprising:
- aligning the relative reference mount with registration features of a reference base;
- positioning the optical component proximate the relative reference mount;
- aligning the optical component with an optical component reference;
- coupling the optical component to the relative reference mount when the optical component is aligned with the optical reference to thereby fix the position of the optical component relative to registration features of the relative reference mount to thereby form the optical module;
- removing the optical module from the reference base;
- loading the optical component in a holder prior to aligning the optical component with the optical component reference;
- and
- flipping the holder.
An apparatus for aligning an optical component in an optical module, comprising:
- a reference base having a registration feature configured to align with a registration feature of the optical module;
- a sensor configured to respond to an optical characteristic of the optical element, the optical characteristic varying with at least one degree of freedom relative to the registration feature of the optical module, and responsively provide a sensor output;
- an optical component manipulator configured to provide relative movement between the optical component and the registration features of the optical module;
- and
- wherein the optical component manipulator includes a vacuum head configured to selectively attach to the optical component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.