Interferometric alignment device

US6563592B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army · US

Inventors

• Robert R. Mitchell · Huntsville, US
• Gene H. Widenhofer · Madison, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 19, 2001
• Grant date: May 13, 2003
• Expiry date: Jun 26, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01B11/26
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The interferometric alignment device is a small, compact device that can be attached to any two optical instruments that need to be aligned precisely in both pitch and yaw angles. The device utilizes light reflecting from mirrors that are permanently mounted inside the instruments, one mirror in each of the instruments. The reflected light beams exit their respective instruments via a window built into the frame of the instrument and re-enters the attached alignment device wherein they combine to form an interference pattern. The operator of the alignment device observes the fringes of this pattern and adjusts the azimuth and elevation of one instrument relative to the other instrument until the fringes are at an acceptable minimum number or are eliminated altogether.