Rotatable cylindrical elements for optical alignment

摘要

An apparatus which routes light generated by a light source to a remote destination. The apparatus includes a cylindrical optical element defining a longitudinal axis. The element has an end face which is oblique relative to the longitudinal axis. The end face routes light by refraction or reflection. A support having a support surface is provided for positioning the optical element between the source and the destination so that the longitudinal axis of the element is substantially parallel to the support surface. The support substantially prevents rotational movement of the optical element about an axis extending normal to the support surface while allowing rotational movement of the optical element about its longitudinal axis so that the direction of the light routed by the end face can be selectively and continuously changed as a function of the rotation of the optical element.