Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator for rotating a shaft associated with an optical mount positioning system in which the actuator moves in first direction at a slow enough velocity to maintain engagement between the actuator and shaft to drive the shaft in the desired direction, and the actuator moves in a second direction at a sufficiently high acceleration and velocity to cause the actuator to lose engagement with the shaft and slip, thereby achieving motion of the shaft in only the desired direction.

Abstract: A precision component mounting and positioning apparatus comprises a frame member and a stage member suspended in the frame member. The frame member is adapted to be mounted on a support surface, and the stage member is adapted to receive a precision component, typically a precision optical component such as an optical fiber or waveguide. The stage member can be positionally adjusted relative to the frame member in five degrees of freedom. Three axially oriented actuators are grounded in the frame member to provide for selectively rotating the stage member about two orthogonally disposed transverse axes relative to the frame member as well as for axially translating the stage member relative to the frame member. A pair of orthogonally opposed transverse actuators are grounded in the frame member and oriented to provide for transverse translation of the stage member relative to the frame member.

Abstract: This invention relates to electromechanical actuators, and particularly to actuators utilizing piezoelectric elements to rotate positioning shafts associated with optical elements.

Abstract: A tunable external cavity semiconductor laser is provided with a semiconductor laser diode, a diffraction grating and a movable mirror. The diode laser is positioned to illuminate a diffraction grating and a movable mirror is positioned to reflect a selected wavelength back into the cavity. The mirror is mounted on a pivot so positioned to provide simultaneous rotation and linear translation. The pivot point is selected so as to provide an internal cavity length which is exactly an integral number of half wavelengths at three different wavelengths and an exceptionally close (within 1/1000 of one wavelength) match at all other wavelengths within the tuning range. Significantly, the pivot point calculation takes into account the effect of the dispersion of the laser and other optical elements in the system on the cavity length.

Abstract: A micropositioner has a platform supported on balls positioned by inclined planes machined on plungers. The plungers are adjustable in horizontal bores in a frame which has a vertical portion with adjusting screws for horizontal positioning of the platform and rotation about a vertical axis. The micropositioner provides four degrees of freedom with four adjustable screws in one embodiment, five degrees of freedom in an alternative embodiment, and six degrees of freedom in yet another embodiment.

Abstract: A precision component mounting and positioning apparatus comprises a frame member and a stage member suspended in the frame member. The frame member is adapted to be mounted on a support surface, and the stage member is adapted to receive a precision component, typically a precision optical component such as an optical fiber or waveguide. The stage member can be positionally adjusted relative to the frame member in five degrees of freedom. Three axially oriented actuators are grounded in the frame member to provide for selectively rotating the stage member about two orthogonally disposed transverse axes relative to the frame member as well as for axially translating the stage member relative to the frame member. A pair of orthogonally opposed transverse actuators are grounded in the frame member and oriented to provide for transverse translation of the stage member relative to the frame member.

Abstract: The present invention is a mount for optical instruments, and particularly, for a Berek compensator having a birefringent crystal, which can be both tiled and rotated by structure of adjustment rings which are concentric to the optical path of the device.

Abstract: A crystal exhibiting a variable index of refraction in response to a voltage applied across it is driven from a lower voltage signal generator through a passive resonant circuit. The resonant frequency of the circuit is tunable by hand in order to maximize the voltage applied to the crystal from a low voltage signal generator. The impedance of the circuit is also hand adjustable in order to match that of the signal generator. The crystal and driving circuit are packaged together in a single enclosure having optically transparent windows allowing a laser beam to pass through the crystal and be modulated by it according to the frequency of the signal generator.

Abstract: A holder for centered round articles comprises a frame having a first arm and a second arm pivotally attached thereto. The first arm defines a single contact point at its distal end while the second arm defines a pair of diverging surfaces at its distal end. The two arms are mechanically coupled to rotate relative to each other in a fixed relationship, and the curved surfaces on the second arm are shaped in a particular manner so that circular articles held by the two arms will be centered at a fixed location relative to the frame.

Abstract: An optical mounting apparatus comprises an upper support assembly and a lower post assembly. The upper support assembly includes a stageplate mounted on a backing plate by a three point suspension mechanism. By locating an optical element mounting region at the corner of a rectangle defined by the three suspension points, a datum point within the region can be rotationally adjusted without simultaneous translational adjustment by manipulating only two of the three suspension points. The baseplate is mounted on a support rod which is slidably received in a casing. A lever arm having a surface which engages the support rod can be moved relative to the casing for selectively locking the rod in place.

Abstract: An adjustable height support column comprises a base plate and a support plate joined together by an axially adjustable linking mechanism. The linking mechanism includes a first threaded shaft attached to the base plate and a second threaded shaft attached to the support plate, where the two shafts are hollow and can engage each other telescopically. The linking mechanism further includes a bridging mechanism which permits the shafts to translate axially relative to each other while maintaining a fixed relative rotational orientation. A coupling member threadably engages the outside of the shaft so that rotation of the coupling member effects axial translation of the shafts relative to each other.