Theoferometer for high-accuracy optical alignment and metrology

Ronald W. Toland; Doug Leviton; Seth Koterba

doi:10.1117/12.559969

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30 September 2004 Theoferometer for high-accuracy optical alignment and metrology

Ronald W. Toland, Doug Leviton, Seth Koterba

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Proceedings Volume 5528, Space Systems Engineering and Optical Alignment Mechanisms; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.559969
Event: Optical Science and Technology, the SPIE 49th Annual Meeting, 2004, Denver, Colorado, United States

Abstract

The accurate measurement of the orientation of optical parts and systems is a pressing problem for upcoming space missions, such as stellar interferometers, requiring the knowledge and maintenance of positions to the sub-arcsecond level. Theodolites, the devices commonly used to make these measurements, cannot provide the needed level of accuracy. This paper describes the design, construction, and testing of an interferometer system to fill the widening gap between future requirements and current capabilities. A Twyman-Green interferometer mounted on a 2 degree of freedom rotation stage is able to obtain sub-arcsecond, gravity-referenced tilt measurements of a sample alignment cube. Dubbed a 'theoferometer', this device offers greater ease-of-use, accuracy, and repeatibility than conventional methods, making it a suitable 21st-century replacemnt for the theodolite.

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Ronald W. Toland, Doug Leviton, and Seth Koterba "Theoferometer for high-accuracy optical alignment and metrology", Proc. SPIE 5528, Space Systems Engineering and Optical Alignment Mechanisms, (30 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.559969

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