Methods and apparatus for positioning optical prisms

摘要

An optical assembly (11) is formed by individually positioning a plurality of prisms (15) using mechanical reference surfaces (19) which are associated with the prism's diagonal (13) and are preferably formed by extensions of a first sub-prism (17A) beyond a second sub-prism (17B). The mechanical references surfaces and a first side of the prism engage fixed mechanical references (23) associated with a housing. A locking element (21) engages a second side of the prism and forces the mechanical reference surfaces and the first side of the prism against the fixed mechanical references to achieve accurate positioning of the prism's diagonal (13).