Athermalized beam source and collimator lens assembly.

摘要

The thermalised optical assembly for collimation of a light beam from a beam source, has a flexure plate and a beam collimator. The plate includes a beam source mount for fixing the beam source at a predetermined interface and defining a light beam optical axis. A kinematic hinge comprising a circular fold-back flexure is located radially adjacent the beam source mount. A beam collimator support attached to the flexure plate receives the beam collimator and aligns the collimator on the optical axis. A thermal element is connected to the flexure plate and has a selected thermal response and is located w.r.t. the beam source mount to maintain the temp. of the beam source. The kinematic hinge is operated to select the back focal length of the assembly, while maintaining the radial alignment of the beam source and the beam collimator, and minimises the mechanical strain at the interface between the beam source and its mount.