Abstract: A positional adjustment mechanism comprises a movable plate having first and second positioning actuators and a biasing member to bias the plate against the actuators. The movable plate has three flat surfaces facing the actuators and biasing member one of which is not substantially perpendicular to either of the other two. The biasing member ensures that the plate is held in contact with the actuators during adjustment. Also, an adjustable mount comprises a support and a fixed bar extending therefrom, an axially movable bar extending from the support and being axially movable relative thereto, and an element movably mounted to the fixed bar and movably mounted to the movable bar, the first element being selectively fixable relative to the fixed bar and selectively fixable relative to the movable bar. This arrangement allows a great degree of freedom in adjusting the position of the element as it can be selectively fixed to either or both of the fixed bar and movable bar.

Abstract: A positional adjustment mechanism comprises a movable plate having first and second positioning actuators and a biasing member to bias the plate against the actuators. The movable plate has three flat surfaces facing the actuators and biasing member one of which is not substantially perpendicular to either of the other two. The biasing member ensures that the plate is held in contact with the actuators during adjustment. Also, an adjustable mount comprises a support and a fixed bar extending therefrom, an axially movable bar extending from the support and being axially movable relative thereto, and an element movably mounted to the fixed bar and movably mounted to the movable bar, the first element being selectively fixable relative to the fixed bar and selectively fixable relative to the movable bar. This arrangement allows a great degree of freedom in adjusting the position of the element as it can be selectively fixed to either or both of the fixed bar and movable bar.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising a light transmitter, a mount for supporting the light transmitter located remotely from its exit tip, a drive for driving the light transmitter to vibrate resonantly in a first direction and to vibrate non-resonantly in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a synchronizer for synchronizing vibration of the light transmitter in the first and second directions so that the exit tip of the light transmitter executes a scan pattern. The drive applies a driving force to the light transmitter between the mount and the exit tip.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising a light transmitter, a mount for supporting the light transmitter located remotely from its exit tip, a drive for driving the light transmitter to vibrate resonantly in a first direction and to vibrate non-resonantly in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a synchronizer for synchronizing vibration of the light transmitter in the first and second directions so that the exit tip of the light transmitter executes a scan pattern. The drive applies a driving force to the light transmitter between the mount and the exit tip.

Abstract: A position control apparatus for controlling position along an axis, comprising: an extensible member that can be extended and contracted along said axis, comprising shape memory alloy locatable to expand and contract along said axis, heating means for controlling said temperature of said shape memory alloy, and a feedback mechanism for controlling said heating means and responsive to variations in said position, wherein said position is controllable by means of said heating means and can be stabilized by means of said feedback mechanism.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising: a light transmission means (90) having an exit tip; first and second drive means (92,94) for resonantly driving the light transmission means (90) in orthogonal directions; wherein the first and second drive means (92,94) are operable to move the tip in an elliptical pattern while varying the eccentricity of the elliptical pattern, whereby a portion of the elliptical pattern having a centre on the minor axis of the elliptical pattern approximates—at least in appearance—a raster pattern.

Abstract: A position control apparatus for controlling position along an axis, comprising: an extensible member that can be extended and contracted along said axis, comprising shape memory alloy locatable to expand and contract along said axis, heating means for controlling said temperature of said shape memory alloy, and a feedback mechanism for controlling said heating means and responsive to variations in said position, wherein said position is controllable by means of said heating means and can be stabilized by means of said feedback mechanism.