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The compact and stable dual fiber optic refractive collimator is a device that takes laser light from two fiber optic cables, generating two beams of collimated light at increased diameters. This device is designed to be stable over a specific soak temperature range and maintain alignment through adverse vibration. Single or multiple beam configurations are possible with this design and the complexity goes linearly with beam quantity. What makes this device noteworthy is the simplicity of design plus ease in assembly and alignment. A precision alignment fixture is used instead of cumbersome, built-in, multiple degree of freedom features such as adjustment screws and flexures. This allows the collimator itself to be quite simple, compact and thermally stable. The dual collimator consists of a common housing, two fiber tip shuttle plugs allowing for adjustment in focus, and two laterally adjustable lens cells for beam alignment. The design has integral adhesive tack bonding features throughout and contains few parts keeping fabrication and alignment costs down. This paper covers the requirements, design, manufacture, assembly and performance of this optical device. The collimator has utility in precision interferometry. A patent has been filed. |
