<title>Modular optical alignment</title>

Abstract

Complex optical systems are aligned using modular optical alignment by aligning the individual optical components with datum surfaces on precision machined structural modules. This alignment technique exploits the inherent precision of modern manufacturing methods in order to simply the optical alignment problem. By distributing the mass of the system in three dimensions the structural efficiency of a modular optical support structure is improved in comparison with a conventional optical bench. Disadvantages of modular optical alignment include the cost of producing the individual components within the modules, and the nature of the joints between the modules are important in determining the overall success of a modular optical system.