GB1304716A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1304716 Supporting optical elements COMPAGNIE GENERALE d'ELECTRICITE 8 May 1970 [9 May 1969] 22460/70 Heading G2J [Also in Division H1] An optical device comprises a cylindrical housing 100, Fig. 2, containing a hollow mount 12, 13, 14 inside of which is mounted an optical element 43, the mount being disposed within the housing and having a spherical surface 15, 16 which is in frictional engagement with the housing. Rings 28, 29 disposed within the housing have outer plane surfaces perpendicular to the axis of the housing 100 and inner inclined plane surfaces respectively bearing against a surface of a bearing 13, 14 of the mount. Grooves 25 in the bearings 13, 14 engage respective pairs of diametrically opposed studs 18, 20 and 17, 19 of a barrel 12 of the mount, which supports the optical element 43. A washer 31 is fixed by pins 42 to the housing 100 and a further washer 30 is fixed by screws 35 which also prevent translational movement of parts within the housing. The washer 31 may be provided with screws. When the ring 29 is rotated by a lever 38 about the axis of the housing, the bearing 13 rocks about an axis defined by the studs 17, 19 and causes the barrel to do likewise. To lock the ring 29 the lever is unscrewed and replaced by a locking nut. The ring 28 is similarly rotatable to cause rocking of the bearing 14 and barrel about the studs 18, 20. The stud 17 extends into a slot 27 in the housing to prevent rotation of the mount about the housing axis. The optical element may be an adjustable mirror (50), Fig. 4 (not shown), of a laser cavity. In another embodiment, Fig. 1 (not shown), adjustment of a solid mount (2) having a recess containing an optical element (5) and contained in a cylindrical housing (1) is provided by micrometer screws (9) threadedly engaging the ends of the housing and bearing on the mount.