초록 ▼

A technique for dynamic optical alignment precisely adjusts the relative position of a first linear arrangement with respect to a second linear arrangement by correcting rotational misalignment about the vertical axis, establishing an optimal displacement therebetween along an optical axis, correcti

A technique for dynamic optical alignment precisely adjusts the relative position of a first linear arrangement with respect to a second linear arrangement by correcting rotational misalignment about the vertical axis, establishing an optimal displacement therebetween along an optical axis, correcting rotational misalignment about the optical axis, and setting an optimum displacement therebetween on the vertical axis. The technique is carried out semiautomatically using a computer to operate actuators to control movement of the first linear arrangement, while the second linear arrangement is fixedly disposed on a substrate. When optimal alignment has been established, the first linear arrangement is fixedly attached to the substrate.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of alignment, comprising the steps of:holding a first optical element in opposition to a second optical element for interalignment therewith, said second optical element including a plurality of receivers including a first marginal receiver and a second marginal receiver, said first opti

1. A method of alignment, comprising the steps of:holding a first optical element in opposition to a second optical element for interalignment therewith, said second optical element including a plurality of receivers including a first marginal receiver and a second marginal receiver, said first optical element having a first axis and a second axis, and said second optical element having a third axis and a fourth axis;detecting a plurality of light signals that pass from said first optical element to said second optical element, said light signals including a first light signal that impinges on said first marginal receiver, and a second light signal that impinges on said second marginal receiver;in a first phase of operation rotating said first optical element about a Y-axis until said second axis is in a parallel alignment with said fourth axis; andin a second phase of operation displacing said first optical element along said Y-axis;while displacing said first optical element along said Y-axis, recording a signal strength of said first light signal and said second light signal; anddisplacing said first optical element along a Z-axis until said signal strength has an optimal value, further comprising the steps of:in said first phase of operation displacing said first optical element stepwise on an interval of said Z-axis, defining a plurality of incremental positions thereon;at each of said incremental positions displacing said first optical element on an interval of said Y-axis;while said step of displacing said first optical element on said interval of said Y-axis is being performed, determining a function of said first light signal and determining a function of said second light signal;after said step of displacing said first optical element stepwise on said interval of said Z-axis has been performed, determining a first point on said Z-axis where said function of said first light signal has a first optimum value and a second point on said Z-axis where said function of said second light signal has a second optimum value;calculating a difference ΔZ between said second point and said first point;responsive to said step of calculating rotating said first optical element about said Y-axis to reduce a distance between said first marginal receiver and said second point. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of rotating said first optical element about said Y-axis comprises rotation by an angle θ that is given by −1 (Δ Z/d )where d is a displacement between said first marginal receiver and said second marginal receiver. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said function is a full-width half maximum, said first optimum value and said second optimum value are each a minimum value of said function. 4. A method of alignment, comprising the steps of:holding a first optical element in opposition to a second optical element for interalignment therewith, said second optical element including a plurality of receivers including a first marginal receiver and a second marginal receiver, said first optical element having a first axis and a second axis, and said second optical element having a third axis and a fourth axis;detecting a plurality of light signals that pass from said first optical element to said second optical element, said light signals including a first light signal that impinges on said first marginal receiver, and a second light signal that impinges on said second marginal receiver;in a first phase of operation rotating said first optical element about a Y-axis until said second axis is in a parallel alignment with said fourth axis; andin a second phase of operation displacing said first optical element along said Y-axis;while displacing said first optical element along said Y-axis, recording a signal strength of said first light signal and said second light signal; anddisplacing said first optical element along a Z-axis until said signal strength has an optimal value, further comprising the steps of:in a first iteration: displacing said first optical element on an interval of said Y-axis;while said step of displacing said first optical element is being performed in said first iteration, determining a first point on said Y-axis wherein said first signal has a first maximum magnitude, and a second point on said Y-axis where said second signal has a second maximum magnitude;rotating said first optical element about said Z-axis by a first increment;in a second iteration: displacing said first optical element on said interval of said Y-axis;while said step of displacing said first optical element is being performed in said first iteration, determining a third point on said Y-axis wherein said first signal has a third maximum magnitude, and a fourth point on said Y-axis where said second signal has a fourth maximum magnitude;responsive to a difference between said third magnitude and said fourth magnitude, rotating said first optical element about said Z-axis by a second increment.