LINEAR TRANSLATION APPARATUS FOR OPTICAL SYSTEM

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a moving means for an optical element without increasing the cost nor complexity of an optical system. SOLUTION: A linear translation apparatus 20 for optical systems has a tube 21 and a piston 22 that slides along an inner wall of the tube that is disposed about a longitudinal axis X. An optical element 23 mounted on the piston intercepts optical signals entering the tube so that optical path lengths within the optical system are varied as the piston 22 moves along the longitudinal axis. The piston 22 has a magnetic moment enabling the piston to slide along the inner wall in response to the strength and direction of a magnetic field generated by a magnetic actuator 29a or 29b. A driver 26 coupled to the magnetic actuator establishes the strength and direction of the generated magnetic field to achieve a predesignated motion profile for the piston along the longitudinal axis X.