Optical assembly for generating light beams accurately at right-angles to each other
US4135823A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 1976 |
| Grant date | Jan 23, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 20, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B2210/306
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical assembly is provided which comprises a light source, preferably a laser, and a particularly compensated prism unit, the laser and the prism unit being mounted on a common holder or base. The beam emitted from the laser is reflected 90.degree. by the prism unit, and although this unit is only approximately aligned with the laser the reflected beam will always form a right angle to the incident beam with an extreme accuracy, the deviation from 90.degree. being less than half an angular minute. The accuracy in reflexion independently of prism unit setting is attributed to the compensated prism unit, which comprises a quadrangular prism composed of two semi-quadrangular prisms, a reflecting surface being mounted, preferably in an adjustable position, adjacent one side of the prism.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.