Abstract: An optical alignment system for controlling the position of a laser beam through an optical train. The optical alignment system includes a semiconductor laser source for the generation of an alignment beam, and a beam steering device to manipulate the position of the alignment beam on a multi-element detector. The semiconductor laser is driven to mode hop at a frequency greater than the upper frequency limit of the multi-element detector. Driving the semiconductor laser to mode hop at a frequency greater than the upper frequency limit of the multi-element detector results in a more uniform alignment beam as seen by the detector, as the alignment beam becomes an average of all the operational modes of the semiconductor laser. A more uniform alignment beam results in improved accuracy of the alignment system.

Abstract: An optical alignment system for controlling the position of a laser beam through an optical train. The optical alignment system includes a semiconductor laser source for the generation of an alignment beam, and a beam steering device to manipulate the position of the alignment beam on a multi-element detector. The semiconductor laser is driven to mode hop at a frequency greater than the upper frequency limit of the multi-element detector. Driving the semiconductor laser to mode hop at a frequency greater than the upper frequency limit of the multi-element detector results in a more uniform alignment beam as seen by the detector, as the alignment beam becomes an average of all the operational modes of the semiconductor laser. A more uniform alignment beam results in improved accuracy of the alignment system.