The figure depicts selected aspects of a six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) stage for mechanical adjustment of an optical component. The six degrees of freedom are translations along the Cartesian axes (x, y, and z) and rotations about these axes (θx, θy, and θz, respectively). Relative to prior such stages, this stage offers advantages of compactness, stability, and robustness, plus other advantages as described below.

This Compact Assembly enables stable adjustment of the input end of the optical fiber in all three translational and all three rotational degrees of freedom. Rotational adjustments can be made without causing undesired translations, and translational adjustments can be made without causing undesired rotations.

The stage was designed specifically as part of a laser velocimeter and altimeter in which light reflected by a distant object is collected by a Cassegrainian telescope and focused into a single-mode, polarization-maintaining optical fiber. The stage is used to position and orient the input end of the optical fiber with respect to the focal point of the telescope. Stages like this one can also be adapted for use in positioning and orienting other optical components, including lenses, prisms, apertures, and photodetectors.

The optical fiber or other optical component is mounted in a ferrule that is, in turn, mounted in a ferrule holder that is an extension of the ball part of a ball-and-socket assembly that enables adjustment in all three rotational degrees of freedom. The position of the ferrule within the ferrule holder is set so that the center of the input face of the optical component lies at the center of the ball. As a result of this setting, rotational adjustment is not accompanied by undesired translational adjustment.

The subassembly comprising the ball, ferrule holder, and optical component is spring-loaded into the socket, and the spring load can be adjusted by means of a threaded ball-preload adjuster. The ferrule holder and the ball-preload adjuster are equipped with external surfaces that mate with special-purpose adjustment tools. The spring load is chosen to make the frictional torque between the ball and the socket small enough that rotational adjustments can be made, yet large enough that the ball and socket retain their relative angular position once the angular adjustment has been completed and the rotational-adjustment tools removed.

Optionally, the ball-and-socket assembly as described thus far could be used alone as a rotation-only stage. However, in the original application, the ball-and-socket assembly is mounted within a z-axis housing that, as its name suggests, enables translational adjustment along the z axis (focus adjustment). The socket is in threaded engagement with a focus-adjustment nut that can be turned about the z axis to make the adjustment. An anti-rotation pin that is free to translate along a z-oriented slot prevents undesired rotation of the socket about the z axis during focus adjustment. A focus-preload spring exerts a z-axis preload between the socket and the z-axis housing to prevent backlash in the focus adjustment.

Optionally, the z-axis-adjusting mechanism as described above could be used alone as a z-axis-translation stage. However, in the original application, it is mounted in an xy translation stage that includes three flexural arms positioned at equal angular intervals on a circular frame. The radial position of the outer end of each flexural arm can be varied by means of a fine-pitch adjustment screw. Initially, all three adjustment screws are set at approximately the midpoints of their ranges, thereby placing all three flexural arms in tension and approximately centering the z-axis housing in the circle. Thereafter, the screws are turned, singly or in pairs as needed, to make fine adjustments to bring the optical component into x and y alignment. Care must be taken during these adjustments to maintain all three flexural arms in tension so as to prevent backlash. The xy adjustment resolution is much finer than the thread pitch of the adjustment screws. Optionally, like the rotational and z-axis sub-stages, the xy stage could be used by itself.

This work was done by Syed Shafaat and Daniel Chang of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

NPO-45273



This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
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Compact 6-DOF Stage for Optical Adjustments

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