Apparatus and method for positioning an optical device

摘要

An apparatus for positioning an optical device includes (i) a holder assembly for holding an optical device and for limiting movement of the optical device within the holder assembly to movement in the Z-direction and (ii) a housing for permitting limited movement of the holder assembly in the X-direction, for supporting and optionally permitting movement of the holder assembly in the Y-direction, for supporting and for substantially preventing movement of the holder assembly in the Z-direction. When the holder assembly optionally holding the optical device is positioned within the housing to obtain a desired position of the optical device, a bonding material may be used for fixing the location in the X-direction, and optionally the Y-direction, of the holder assembly within the housing. A method of operating the apparatus for obtaining a desired position of an optical device is further provided.

主权项

1. An apparatus for positioning an optical device, comprising:
a housing having a first member and a second member, each of the members having (i) opposing first and second inner surfaces, wherein at least portions respectively of the first and second inner surfaces are parallel and lie in planes spaced apart a distance T, (ii) an inset surface, and (iii) a planar base surface from which the inset surface and the inner surfaces extend, wherein the inner surfaces, the base surface, and the inset surface define a slot region in each of the members, wherein the portions of the four inner surfaces extend in planes parallel to each other; and a holder assembly including (i) a projection member having opposing surfaces and (ii) first and second flange members, each of the flange members having an end surface for opposing one of the inset surfaces of the housing and opposing first and second surfaces extending from the opposing surfaces of the projection member to the end surface, wherein at least portions respectively of the first and second surfaces are parallel and spaced substantially the distance T from each other, wherein the opposing surfaces of the projection member are adapted to fit between the first and second members, wherein the housing is adapted to receive the holder assembly and to receive and maintain a material in the slot regions such that, when the holder assembly is in the slot regions, (i) the parallel surface portions of the first and second flange members face the parallel inner surface portions of the first and second members, respectively, (ii) the parallel surface portions of the first and second flange members are movable in first and second directions of the inset surfaces of the first and second members, respectively, the first and second directions being substantially parallel to the planes in which the portions of the inner surfaces of the first and second members extend, (iii) the first and the second flange members overlie the base surface of each of the members of the housing, respectively, and (iv) a space is defined in each of the slot regions between each of the inset surfaces of the housing and the end surfaces of the flange members opposing the respective inset surfaces, and wherein when the material is received in the space, the material substantially limits movement in the first and second directions by the holder assembly by physically obstructing such movement without the material being adhesively bonded to the housing.