Optical Alignment Sensor

This invention is related to U.S. Ser. No 648,350, entitled "Transparent Optical Power Meter", filed in the name of Frank J. Elmer on Jan. 12, 1976, the inventor of the present invention, and which is also assigned to the same assignee.

This invention relates generally to optical measuring apparatus and more particularly to a method and apparatus for determining the accurate alignment of an intense optical beam, typically but not restricted to a laser beam. One method for determining alignment of a laser beam for example, is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,574, whereupon a laser beam of coherent light having a plurality of components of different frequencies is projected along a path of alignment through an ambient medium having a varied index of refraction, detecting the components and then measuring the separation of the beam components.

Briefly, the subject invention is directed to a method and means for determining the alignment of an intense optical beam by passing the beam through a transmissive optical element such as a lens or window having a plurality of at least three thermal sensors located on the face of or embedded in the element. By sensing the temperature difference between the thermal sensors a null position for proper alignment is determined which when continuously sensed is useful in realigning the optical beam.

FIG. 1 is a diagram helpful in understanding the subject invention; and

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the subject invention.

Any material which permits optical radiation to pass through it absorbs a certain percentage of the incident power and dissipates it in the form of heat. This raises the temperature of the illuminated region and causes a temperature rise in the material which can be detected and measured by appropriately placed thermal sensors. The ratio of the temperature differences between the thermal sensors depends only on the position of the illuminated region and not on the intensity of the beam as long as the beam is strong enough to produce a detectable response by the thermal sensors themselves.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 discloses an optical source 10 which is adapted to produce an intense optical beam. This source may be for example a laser, but when desirable, may comprise a device such as a high intensity projector lamp, narrow beam flood light, or a high intensity lamp for laser pumping, etc. The optical beam 12 emitted from the source 10 is directed to a target 14 through an optical subsystem 16 which is adapted to direct the beam to a predetermined spot on the target. Intermediate the optical subsystem 16 and the target 14, is located an optical alignment sensor 18 which comprises the subject invention. When desirable, a second optical alignment sensor can be located intermediate the optical source 10 and the optics 16, or the optical alignment sensor 18 may be integral with the subsystem 16.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the alignment sensor 18 shown in FIG. 1 is comprised of an optical element 20 such as a lens or window through which the beam 12 is adapted to pass substantially unobstructed therethrough. The optical element 20 is contained in a suitable mounting structure 22 which may consist of for example, a metal frame of any selected design. There is a set of beam locations which will produce the same temperature ratios in a given pair of thermal sensors; however, by proper placement of the sensors, it is possible to have the equal temperature ratio beam locii of each possible combination of two thermal sensors intersect at one and only one point. Accordingly, a minimum of three thermal sensors 24, 26 and 28 are required to provide unambiguous results. Additionally, a fourth thermal sensor 32 is placed on the mounting structure 22 and is adapted to provide an ambient or reference temperature measurement in the manner taught in the above referenced related application, U.S. Ser. No. 648,350, entitled "Transparent Optical Power Meter".

As noted, any material which allows optical radiation to pass through it absorbs a certain percentage of the incident power and dissipates it in the form of heat. This raises the temperature of the illuminated region, for example, the region surrounding the point 30 shown in FIG. 2, and causes a temperature rise in the material relative to an ambient medium. The material from which the optical element 20 is fabricated is preferably chosen to have an optical power absorption characteristic which is substantially independent of the power in the optical beam passing therethrough. For IR laser applications, silicon, germanium, or zinc selenide have selected infra-red transmission characteristics and are particularly suitable materials for the optical element 20.

The termperature sensors 24, 26, 28 and 32 preferably comprise and are shown in the drawing as consisting of thermocouples, but when desirable, may consist of thermistors or temperature sensitive semiconductive devices, in the manner taught in the above referenced related application, U.S. Ser. No. 648,350, entitled "Transparent Optical Power Meter".

Each of the thermocouples 24, 26, and 28 are coupled in series with the thermocouple 32 to a respective amplifier 34, 36 and 38 and as such the input signal to each of the amplifiers comprise the difference signal between the temperature sensed at each of the thermocouples and ambient temperature. The outputs from amplifiers 34 and 36 are fed to a first ratio detector 40 while the outputs from amplifiers 36 and 38 are fed to a second ratio detector 32. A pair of variable offset amplifiers 44 and 46 are respectively coupled to the output of the ratio detectors 40 and 42, whose output in turn is fed to a summing amplifier 48. The output of the summing amplifier is used to drive a readout device and provide an error signal.

In operation, a laser beam, for example would be passed through a selected spot 30, which causes the region of the optical element 20 surrounding the spot to rise in temperature with respect to ambient, ambient being sensed by the thermocouple 32. Thermocouples 24, 26 and 28, respectively sense the temperature change thereat, whereupon the output of the offset amplifiers 44 and 46 fed by the ratio detectors 40 and 42 are adjusted to provide a null at their respective outputs. With such adjustments, the output of the summing amplifier 48 should also be a null, which output can be coupled to a visual readout device 50 or can be utilized as an error signal for a servo system, not shown, utilized for example in an automatic self correcting alignment system, which may include, for example, the optical subsystem 16. The computation of the thermal ratios and their deviation from the desired values can be accomplished when desirable digitally in a computer.

If the beam 12 should change in amplitude before reaching the device 18, the readout should continue to show a null; however, if the beam should move from the spot 30, for example, the readout should change due to the effect of the ratio detectors 40 and 42 operating on the outputs of the amplifiers 34, 36 and 38 which have changed accordingly.

If a second sensor configuration shown in FIG. 2 is interposed for example between the optical source 10 and the optical subsystem 16, the beam 12 would be constrained to two separate predetermined spots on the respective optical elements 20 and if the beam fails to intersect both optical alignment sensors in the proper spot the alignment can be considered to be off and corrective action initiated.

The present invention has several advantages. For example in systems using lasers, deviation of the beam from its desired position can easily be detected while the system is in operation. In other systems where it is possible to use a laser to align the system, the use of the alignment sensor taught by the subject invention provides an easy means for obtaining rapid checks on the system alignment. Furthermore, the technique set forth herein is applicable in systems which cannot operate in the visible range of the spectrum and hence is useful where visible alignment techniques are impractical if not impossible. Finally calibration of the optical alignment sensor can be made while it is in place in the optical system. In addition, the output from any one of the amplifiers 34, 36 or 38 may be used to monitor the average power in the optical beam 12 when the beam is passing through the preselected spot 30 as taught in the related application, U.S. Ser. No. 648,350, entitled "Transparent Optical Power Meter".

Having thus disclosed what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the subject invention,