Automated interferometric alignment system for paraboloidal mirrors
- Powell, TN
A method is described for a systematic method of interpreting interference fringes obtained by using a corner cube retroreflector as an alignment aid when aigning a paraboloid to a spherical wavefront. This is applicable to any general case where such alignment is required, but is specifically applicable in the case of aligning an autocollimating test using a diverging beam wavefront. In addition, the method provides information which can be systematically interpreted such that independent information about pitch, yaw and focus errors can be obtained. Thus, the system lends itself readily to automation. Finally, although the method is developed specifically for paraboloids, it can be seen to be applicable to a variety of other aspheric optics when applied in combination with a wavefront corrector that produces a wavefront which, when reflected from the correctly aligned aspheric surface will produce a collimated wavefront like that obtained from the paraboloid when it is correctly aligned to a spherical wavefront.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- Assignee:
- Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. (Oak Ridge, TN)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5249033
- OSTI ID:
- 868941
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
How To Align An Off-Axis Parabolic Mirror
|
conference | October 1989 |
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Related Subjects
interferometric
alignment
paraboloidal
mirrors
method
described
systematic
interpreting
interference
fringes
obtained
corner
cube
retroreflector
aigning
paraboloid
spherical
wavefront
applicable
required
specifically
aligning
autocollimating
diverging
beam
addition
provides
information
systematically
interpreted
independent
pitch
yaw
focus
errors
lends
readily
automation
finally
developed
paraboloids
seen
variety
aspheric
optics
applied
combination
corrector
produces
reflected
correctly
aligned
surface
produce
collimated
spherical wave
method provides
provides information
method provide
aspheric surface
aspheric optics
beam wavefront
interference fringes
interference fringe
paraboloidal mirrors
paraboloidal mirror
corner cube
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