Monolithic interferometer with optics of different material
AssigneeFtrx LLC
InventorsAlex Jacobson, Zvi Bleier
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A monolithic frame for optics used in interferometers where the material of the monolithic frame may have a substantially different coefficient of thermal expansion from the beamsplitter and compensator without warping, bending or distorting the optics. This is accomplished through providing a securing apparatus holding the optics in place while isolating the expansion thereof from the expansion of the frame. Stability in optical alignment is therefore achieved without requiring a single material or materials of essentially identical coefficients of thermal expansion. The present invention provides stability in situations where it is not possible to utilize a single material for every component of the interferometer.
Claims13
An optical assembly for use with a precision instrument, comprising:
- a. a frame assembly comprising:
- i. a top plate;
- a bottom plate;
- a first support member bonded between a first portion of the top plate and a first portion of the bottom plate;
- and a second support member bonded between a second portion of the top plate and a second portion of the bottom plate;
- ii. the top plate, bottom plate and support member materials being at least one of the same material or materials having substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion and defining a frame interior space;
- b. a beamsplitter inside the frame interior space and extending between the top plate and bottom plate, the beamsplitter having a first face and a second face;
- c. a mirror attached to the frame assembly, the mirror having a reflecting surface in a reflecting relation with the beamsplitter;
- d. a beamsplitter securing apparatus having spring arms and mounting buttons, the spring arms each having a free end and an end attached to one of either the top plate or the bottom plate and the mounting buttons each attached to one of either the top plate or bottom plate, the mounting buttons engaging the beamsplitter first face and the spring arm free end engaging the beamsplitter second face, wherein the optical assembly is substantially stable regarding the reflective relationship between the mirror and the beamsplitter and the beamsplitter first and second face having limited exposure to bending and warping.
An interferometer comprising:
- a. a radiation source;
- b. a monolithic frame comprising a top plate and a bottom plate rigidly held in relation to one another by a first support member bonded to the top plate and the bottom plate and a second support member bonded to the top plate and the bottom plate, the materials of the plates and supports being at least one of the same material or materials having substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion, and the monolithic frame defining an interior space;
- c. a beamsplitter extending between the top plate and the bottom plate;
- d. a first mirror attached to the frame assembly and having a reflecting surface in a first direct reflecting relation with the beamsplitter;
- e. a second mirror attached to the frame assembly and having a reflecting surface in a second direct reflecting relation with the retroreflector;
- f. a retroreflector external to the interior space, moveable relative to the frame and having a retroreflection relation with both the beamsplitter and the second mirror;
- g. a beamsplitter securing apparatus having spring arms and mounting buttons, the spring arms each having a free end and an end attached to one of either the top plate or the bottom plate and the mounting buttons each attached to one of either the top plate or bottom plate, the mounting buttons engaging a beamsplitter first face and the spring arm free end engaging a beamsplitter second face, wherein the optical assembly is substantially stable regarding the reflective relationships and the beamsplitter first and second face having limited exposure to bending and warping.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.