Cartesian Electronic Absolute Autocollimator (GSC-14718)

Abstract:
The new technology Cartesian Electronic Absolute Autocollimator, the only instrument of its kind, has unsurpassed sensitivity and stability for its size with an exceptional field of view or range of regard. To date in the laboratory, the autocollimator has been used to measure the apex angles of prismatic samples of cryogenic infrared optical materials which will be used for James Webb Space Telescopes Near-infrared Camera as well as for other upcoming NASA infrared space instruments. This autocollimator will pave the way for the next generation of vector metrology for spacecraft and instrument alignments whose requirements have already begun to outstrip conventional methods. Through the implementation of a radiation hard electronic image sensor, the autocollimator will be used for myriad space flight applicitions including remote determination of payload pointing for interferometry missions, compact, embedded, ultra-high resolution feedback for fast steering mirrors for wavefront control in adaptive optic systems, fine guidance sensing, and remote vector metrology and surveying. Because it is also functions in cryogenic environments, it will be be useful for a variety of infrared and x-ray mission applciations where no other similar technology exists. An autocollimator is an optical meterology instrument which measures the compound angular deviatio of a flat datum mirror (paced somewhere in front of the autocollimator) wtih respect to the pointing direction of the optical axis of the autocollimator itself. Typically, it consists of an iluminated target reticle (target), a beamsplitter, an objective or collimating lens, and a viewing reticle or screen. The collimating lens projects the target at infinite conjungates through the beamsplitter. Target light reflected by the flat datum mirror in front of the autocollimator returns to the autocollimator and is re-imaged at tunit magnification by the collimating lens in reflection off the beamsplitter to the focal plane of the lens where an image of the target is viewed on fixed reticle/viewing screen.

Type of Offer: Licensing



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