JP2005331541A - Apparatus and system for adjusting optical axis - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adjust the angle and position of a light beam, using a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: For the purpose of adjusting the optical axis of a light beam L1 made incident on an XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system, there are attached to a supporting body a first mirror 10 having a reflection face M1, in which a face parallel to the XY plane is rotated by only an angle α relative to an axis 11 parallel to the Y axis and a second mirror 20 having a reflection face M2, in which a face parallel to the XZ plane is rotated by only an angle β relative to an axis 21 parallel to the X axis. A positional adjusting means which moves the entire support body having the two mirrors in parallel with the XY plane is provided, as is provided with an angular adjusting means which adjusts the angle of the second mirror 20. The incident light beam L1, reflected on the reflection faces M1, M2, is emitted as an outgoing light L3, wherein the optical axis can be adjusted with respect to the position and the angle, by controlling the position and the angle-adjusting means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical axis adjustment device and an optical axis automatic adjustment system using the same, and more particularly to a technique for adjusting the angle and position of a light beam using a simple optical system.

The light beam is widely used in various industrial fields such as a fine pattern exposure process, a material processing process, and information communication. In an optical system using a light beam, it is important to adjust the optical axis. In particular, in a process of performing precise processing using a laser beam or the like, an accurate optical axis adjustment operation is required. A general optical beam adjusting device for a light beam is configured by a device combining optical elements such as a reflecting mirror and a prism. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 below disclose an optical axis adjusting device in which a plurality of reflecting mirrors and prisms are combined.
JP 2002-229216 A JP 2004-07831 A

  Since the conventional general optical axis adjusting device uses a complicated optical system in which a reflecting mirror and a prism are combined, there is a problem that the structure of the entire device becomes complicated. In addition, since the number of reflections inside the apparatus increases, there is a problem in that a loss occurs in the amount of light beam that passes through the apparatus.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical axis adjustment device capable of reducing the number of times of light reflection and efficiently adjusting the optical axis of a light beam with a structure as simple as possible. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical axis adjusting device capable of independently adjusting the position and the angle. It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic optical axis adjustment system that can automatically perform optical axis adjustment using the optical axis adjustment device.

(1) A first aspect of the present invention is an optical axis adjustment device having a function of adjusting an optical axis of light incident on an XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system and emitting the same.
A first mirror having a reflective surface obtained by rotating a plane parallel to the XY plane by a predetermined angle α (0 ° <α <90 °) about a rotation axis parallel to the Y axis;
A second mirror having a reflecting surface obtained by rotating a plane parallel to the XZ plane by a predetermined angle β (0 ° <β <90 °) about a rotation axis parallel to the X axis;
A support that supports the first mirror and the second mirror at a predetermined position so that incident light is reflected and emitted from at least both of the mirrors;
Position adjusting means for translating the first mirror in the X-axis or Z-axis direction relative to the support, and translating the second mirror in the Y-axis or Z-axis direction;
Is provided.

(2) According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical axis adjustment device having a function of adjusting an optical axis of light incident on an XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system and emitting the adjusted optical axis.
A first mirror having a reflective surface obtained by rotating a plane parallel to the XY plane by a predetermined angle α (0 ° <α <90 °) about a rotation axis parallel to the Y axis;
A second mirror having a reflecting surface obtained by rotating a plane parallel to the XZ plane by a predetermined angle β (0 ° <β <90 °) about a rotation axis parallel to the X axis;
A first support that supports the first mirror and the second mirror at a predetermined position so that incident light is reflected and emitted from at least both of the mirrors;
A second support for supporting the first support;
Position adjusting means for translating the first support relative to the second support in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction;
Is provided.

(3) According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the optical axis adjustment device according to the first or second aspect described above,
Angle adjusting means having a function of performing at least one of an operation of inclining the first mirror in a predetermined direction and an operation of inclining the second mirror in a predetermined direction is further provided.

(4) According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the optical axis adjustment device according to the third aspect described above,
One of the first mirror and the second mirror is a fixed mirror that does not tilt, and the other is a tilted mirror that tilts so that the tilting operation is performed only on the tilted mirror.

(5) In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the incident light deviates from the reference optical path when the light beam exists along the reference optical path passing through the predetermined incident point and the emission point in the XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system. In addition, an optical axis automatic adjustment system with a function to perform automatic optical axis adjustment so that the emitted light maintains a state along the reference optical path,
An adjustment unit that performs optical axis adjustment, a detection unit that detects deviation of the optical axis, and a control unit that controls the adjustment unit based on the detection result by the detection unit,
In the adjustment part,
A first mirror having a reflective surface obtained by rotating a plane parallel to the XY plane by a predetermined angle α (0 ° <α <90 °) about a rotation axis parallel to the Y axis;
A second mirror having a reflecting surface obtained by rotating a plane parallel to the XZ plane by a predetermined angle β (0 ° <β <90 °) about a rotation axis parallel to the X axis;
A support that supports the first mirror and the second mirror at a predetermined position so that incident light is reflected and emitted from at least both of the mirrors;
Position adjusting means for translating the first mirror in the X-axis or Z-axis direction relative to the support, and translating the second mirror in the Y-axis or Z-axis direction;
An angle adjusting means having a function of performing at least one of an operation of inclining the first mirror in a predetermined direction and an operation of inclining the second mirror in a predetermined direction;
The detection unit has a function of detecting the angle and position of the light beam emitted from the adjustment unit,
The control unit stores the angle and position detected by the detection unit when the incident light is along the reference optical path, and the value stored in the storage unit by the angle and position detected by the detection unit. And a control means for controlling the angle adjusting means and the position adjusting means so as to eliminate the deviation when the deviation occurs.

(6) In the sixth aspect of the present invention, the incident light deviates from the reference optical path when the light beam exists along the reference optical path passing through the predetermined incident point and the emission point in the XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system. In addition, an optical axis automatic adjustment system with a function to perform automatic optical axis adjustment so that the emitted light maintains a state along the reference optical path,
An adjustment unit that performs optical axis adjustment, a detection unit that detects deviation of the optical axis, and a control unit that controls the adjustment unit based on the detection result by the detection unit,
In the adjustment part,
A first mirror having a reflective surface obtained by rotating a plane parallel to the XY plane by a predetermined angle α (0 ° <α <90 °) about a rotation axis parallel to the Y axis;
A second mirror having a reflecting surface obtained by rotating a plane parallel to the XZ plane by a predetermined angle β (0 ° <β <90 °) about a rotation axis parallel to the X axis;
A first support that supports the first mirror and the second mirror at a predetermined position so that incident light is reflected and emitted from at least both of the mirrors;
A second support for supporting the first support;
Position adjusting means for translating the first support relative to the second support in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction;
An angle adjusting means having a function of performing at least one of an operation of inclining the first mirror in a predetermined direction and an operation of inclining the second mirror in a predetermined direction;
The detection unit has a function of detecting the angle and position of the light beam emitted from the adjustment unit,
The control unit stores the angle and position detected by the detection unit when the incident light is along the reference optical path, and the value stored in the storage unit by the angle and position detected by the detection unit. And a control means for controlling the angle adjusting means and the position adjusting means so as to eliminate the deviation when the deviation occurs.

(7) A seventh aspect of the present invention is the optical axis automatic adjustment system according to the fifth or sixth aspect described above,
One of the first mirror and the second mirror is a fixed mirror that does not tilt, and the other is a tilted mirror that tilts so that the tilting operation is performed only on the tilted mirror.

(8) An eighth aspect of the present invention is the optical axis automatic adjustment system according to the fifth to seventh aspects described above.
A first beam distribution unit for extracting a part of the light beam emitted from the adjustment unit as a detection light beam, a second beam distribution unit for distributing the detection light beam into two beams, and a distribution unit; An angle detection unit that detects an angle based on the first beam and a position detection unit that detects a position based on the distributed second beam are provided.

(9) A ninth aspect of the present invention is the optical axis automatic adjustment system according to the eighth aspect described above,
The angle detection means has a condensing lens for condensing parallel rays at a predetermined focal point, and a condensing position on the light receiving surface, the light receiving surface being disposed at a focal distance from the condensing lens. And a light receiving element for detecting.

(10) A tenth aspect of the present invention is the optical axis automatic adjustment system according to the eighth aspect described above,
The position detection means is constituted by a light receiving element that detects the irradiation position of the beam onto a predetermined light receiving surface.

  In the optical axis adjusting apparatus according to the present invention, the two mirrors are arranged at specific positions, and the position of the light beam is adjusted by translating these mirrors in a specific direction. The optical axis of the light beam can be adjusted. Since the number of reflections of the light beam to be adjusted is also reduced, the light amount loss of the light beam passing through the apparatus can be minimized. In addition, by providing an angle adjusting means for adjusting the angle of the mirror, the position and angle of the light beam can be adjusted independently with a simple structure. In the automatic optical axis adjustment system according to the present invention, the optical axis adjustment can be automatically performed by using such an optical axis adjustment device.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments.

<<< §1. Basic Configuration of Optical Axis Adjustment Device According to the Present Invention >>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a basic configuration of an optical axis adjusting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described above, an important feature of the present invention is that the position of the light beam is adjusted by arranging two mirrors at specific positions and translating these mirrors in specific directions. Therefore, in this specification, for convenience of explanation, an XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system is defined, and the arrangement and movement of individual mirrors will be described on the three-dimensional coordinate system. As a result, the optical axis adjusting device shown in FIG. 1 is a device having a function of adjusting the optical axis of light incident on the XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system and emitting it.

  The most important components of the optical axis adjusting device are the first mirror 10 and the second mirror 20. As shown in the figure, the first mirror 10 and the second mirror 20 are arranged such that their reflection surfaces are at specific positions on the XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system. That is, the reflecting surface M1 of the first mirror 10 is located at a position rotated by a predetermined angle α (0 ° <α <90 °) with respect to the rotation shaft 11 parallel to the Y axis on a surface parallel to the XY plane. The reflecting surface M2 of the second mirror 20 rotates a plane parallel to the XZ plane by a predetermined angle β (0 ° <β <90 °) with respect to a rotating shaft 21 parallel to the X axis. It is arranged to come to the position.

  Here, let us consider a case where the light beam L1 is given as incident light to the optical system including the two mirrors 10 and 20 arranged in this way from a direction parallel to the X axis. In this case, the light beam is reflected by the two mirrors 10 and 20 as shown (the path of this light beam is indicated by a one-dot chain line in the figure). That is, when the light beam L1 is incident on the incident point P1 of the reflecting surface M1 of the first mirror 10, in the illustrated example, a light beam L2 heading substantially upward in the figure is obtained as reflected light. When this light beam L2 is incident on the incident point P2 of the reflecting surface M2 of the second mirror 20, a light beam L3 directed substantially rightward in the figure is obtained as reflected light. Eventually, the light beam L1 given as incident light is reflected twice by this optical system and then emitted as the light beam L3.

  The optical axis adjusting apparatus according to this embodiment includes the first mirror 10 and the second mirror 20 described above, a support for supporting these mirrors, and a position adjusting means for moving each mirror (both shown in FIG. 1). Not shown).

  As long as the support member is a component having a function of supporting the two mirrors 10 and 20 at a position that satisfies the above-described specific conditions, the support member may be configured by any structure. For example, the support body may be configured by a frame serving as an apparatus housing, and the first mirror 10 and the second mirror 20 may be attached to the frame. However, it is necessary to attach in such a manner that the position can be adjusted by the position adjusting means.

  The position adjusting means is a component having a function of adjusting the position of the support 10 by moving the mirrors 10 and 20 in a predetermined axial direction. In the present invention, the first mirror 10 needs to be translated in the X-axis direction or the Z-axis direction, and the second mirror 20 needs to be translated in the Y-axis direction or the Z-axis direction. As described above, since various mechanisms for moving the mirror along the predetermined axis are known, a specific description of the moving mechanism is omitted here. Of course, the position adjusting means may be constituted by a manual movement mechanism or an electric movement mechanism.

  Next, let us consider how the optical axis of the light beam changes when the mirrors 10 and 20 constituting this optical system are translated in a predetermined direction using the position adjusting means.

  FIG. 2 is an XZ sectional view showing an optical axis change caused by translating the reflecting surface M1 (first mirror 10) in the X-axis direction in the optical axis adjusting device shown in FIG. A reflective surface M1 indicated by a solid line in the figure indicates a position before the movement, and a reflective surface M1 ′ indicated by a broken line in the figure indicates a position after the movement. As shown in the figure, before the movement, the light beam L1 is reflected at the incident point P1 on the reflecting surface M1 and emitted as the light beam L2, but when the reflecting surface M1 is translated along the X axis by a displacement amount ΔM1x. Since the incident point with respect to the reflecting surface M1 ′ is at the position P1 ′, the light beam L1 is emitted as the light beam L2 ′. After all, when the reflecting surface M1 is translated in the X-axis direction by the displacement amount ΔM1x, the light beam emitted as reflected light is translated in the X-axis direction by the displacement amount ΔLx. Here, ΔLx = ΔM1x.

  FIG. 3 is an XZ sectional view showing an optical axis change caused by translating the reflecting surface M1 (first mirror 10) in the Z-axis direction in the optical axis adjusting apparatus shown in FIG. Again, the reflecting surface M1 indicated by the solid line in the figure indicates the position before the movement, and the reflecting surface M1 ′ indicated by the broken line in the figure indicates the position after the movement. As shown in the figure, when the reflecting surface M1 is translated by the displacement amount ΔM1z along the Z axis, the incident point with respect to the reflecting surface M1 ′ becomes the position of P1 ′, so that the light beam L1 is emitted as the light beam L2 ′. become. Eventually, when the reflecting surface M1 is translated in the Z-axis direction by the displacement amount ΔM1z, the light beam emitted as reflected light is translated in the X-axis direction by the displacement amount ΔLx. Here, if L1 is parallel to the X axis, ΔLx = ΔM1z / tan α (a predetermined geometric relational expression holds even when L1 is in an arbitrary direction).

  On the other hand, FIG. 4 is a YZ sectional view showing an optical axis change caused by translating the reflecting surface M2 (second mirror 20) in the Z-axis direction in the optical axis adjusting device shown in FIG. A reflective surface M2 indicated by a solid line in the figure indicates a position before the movement, and a reflective surface M2 ′ indicated by a broken line in the figure indicates a position after the movement. As shown in the figure, before the movement, the light beam L2 is reflected at the incident point P2 on the reflecting surface M2 and emitted as the light beam L3. However, when the reflecting surface M2 is translated by the displacement amount ΔM2z along the Z axis, Since the incident point with respect to the reflecting surface M2 'is at the position P2', the light beam L2 is emitted as the light beam L3 '. Eventually, when the reflecting surface M2 is translated in the Z-axis direction by the displacement amount ΔM2z, the light beam emitted as reflected light is translated in the Z-axis direction by the displacement amount ΔLz. Here, ΔLz = ΔM2z.

  FIG. 5 is a YZ sectional view showing an optical axis change caused by translating the reflecting surface M2 (second mirror 20) in the Y-axis direction in the optical axis adjusting device shown in FIG. Again, the reflecting surface M2 indicated by the solid line in the figure indicates the position before the movement, and the reflecting surface M2 ′ indicated by the broken line in the figure indicates the position after the movement. As shown in the figure, when the reflecting surface M2 is translated along the Y axis by a displacement amount ΔM2y, the incident point with respect to the reflecting surface M2 ′ becomes the position of P2 ′, so that the light beam L2 is emitted as the light beam L3 ′. become. Eventually, when the reflecting surface M2 is translated in the Y-axis direction by the displacement amount ΔM2y, the light beam emitted as reflected light is translated in the Z-axis direction by the displacement amount ΔLz. Here, if L2 is parallel to the Z axis, ΔLz = ΔM2y / tan β (a predetermined geometric relational expression holds even when L2 is in an arbitrary direction).

  As described above, based on the results shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in order to translate the light beam L2 emitted as the reflected light from the reflecting surface M1 of the first mirror 10 in the X-axis direction, the first mirror 10 is moved. It can be seen that either the parallel movement in the X-axis direction or the parallel movement in the Z-axis direction may be taken. 4 and 5, in order to translate the light beam L3 emitted as the reflected light from the reflecting surface M2 of the second mirror 20 in the Z-axis direction, the second mirror 20 is moved in the Y-axis direction. It can be seen that either one of the methods may be taken, that is, translation in the direction or translation in the Z-axis direction.

  As described above, the position adjusting means translates the first mirror 10 in the X-axis or Z-axis direction with respect to the support and translates the second mirror 20 in the Y-axis or Z-axis direction. It has a function. The former function is for translating the light beam L2 in the X-axis direction, and the latter function is for translating the light beam L3 in the Z-axis direction.

  Eventually, as shown in FIG. 1, when a light beam L1 parallel to the X-axis is incident as incident light on this optical axis adjusting device, the optical path of this light beam is set in two independent axial directions by the position adjusting means. The position of the translation can be adjusted. The operation principle of the optical axis adjusting device shown in FIG. 1 has been described above for the case where the light beam L1 parallel to the X axis is incident. It is not effective only when the beam L1 is incident. That is, even when a light beam slightly inclined with respect to the X-axis is incident, the light beam is reflected by the first mirror 10 and then passes through an optical path that is reflected by the second mirror 20 and emitted. As long as the optical path of this light beam is translated in two independent axial directions, position adjustment can be performed. Therefore, the position adjusting function by the position adjusting means makes it possible to translate the light beam L3 obtained as the light emitted from the optical axis adjusting device to an arbitrary position. Further, due to the reversibility of the optical path, when incident light having a direction opposite to that of the light beam L3 is given, emitted light having a direction opposite to that of the light beam L1 can be obtained, and the optical axis can be adjusted similarly.

<<< §2. Embodiment in which both mirrors are fixed to the same support >>>
As described in the basic embodiment described above, the position adjusting means has a function of translating the first mirror 10 in the X-axis or Z-axis direction, and the second mirror 20 is Y-axis or Z-axis. What is necessary is just to have the function to translate in an axial direction. Therefore, for example, a rail for sliding the first mirror 10 along the X axis or a rail for sliding along the Z axis is disposed on the support, and the first mirror 10 is slidably mounted on the support. Similarly, a rail for sliding the second mirror 20 along the Y-axis or a rail for sliding along the Z-axis is arranged on the support, and the second mirror 20 is slidable. If they are mounted on the support, these rails can function as position adjusting means.

  As described above, in carrying out the present invention, it is of course possible to provide a mechanism for individually and independently translating the first mirror 10 and the second mirror 20 in a predetermined direction. An embodiment in which the mirror 10 and the second mirror 20 are fixed to the same support will be described. In the embodiment described here, the first mirror 10 and the second mirror 20 are fixed to the first support while maintaining the positional relationship as shown in FIG. And the 2nd support body which supports this 1st support body so that it can move freely is prepared, and the 1st support body with respect to the 2nd support body by the position adjusting means It is possible to translate in the Y-axis direction.

  For example, consider another coordinate system xyz that completely overlaps the coordinate system XYZ shown in FIG. 1, and define the coordinate system XYZ as a stationary coordinate system and the coordinate system xyz as a moving coordinate system. FIG. 1 shows a state where the origins O of both coordinate systems are completely overlapped, but the moving coordinate system xyz can be translated in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction with respect to the stationary coordinate system XYZ. It is assumed that it is a movable coordinate system. Here, the first support is constituted by a physical frame along each coordinate axis xyz of the movable coordinate system xyz, and the second support is formed by a physical frame along each coordinate axis XYZ of the stationary coordinate system XYZ. Let's assume that it is configured. The second support is a component that functions as a device housing of the optical axis adjusting device.

  Now, the first mirror 10 and the second mirror 20 are fixed to the first support (movable coordinate axis xyz), and the first support (movable coordinate axis xyz) is fixed to the second support (stationary coordinate axis XYZ). On the other hand, a position adjusting means that can be translated in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is provided. With such a configuration, although the positional relationship between the first mirror 10 and the second mirror 20 is always constant, the position with respect to the stationary coordinate system XYZ changes.

  For example, if the first support body (coordinate axis xyz) is translated by ΔX in the X-axis direction by the position adjusting means, the first mirror 10 and the second mirror 20 are both on the stationary coordinate system XYZ. It is displaced by ΔX in the X axis direction. Here, when attention is paid to the displacement of the first mirror 10, as shown in FIG. 2, this displacement functions to displace the light beam L2 by ΔLx in the X-axis direction. However, paying attention to the displacement of the second mirror 20, as is apparent from the perspective view of FIG. 1, even if the second mirror 20 is displaced in the X-axis direction, it contributes to the displacement of the light beam L3. do not do. Eventually, the position adjustment operation of translating the first support relative to the second support in the X-axis direction is an independent adjustment operation for displacing the light beam L2 in the X-axis direction as shown in FIG. It turns out that.

  On the other hand, if the first support (coordinate axis xyz) is translated by ΔY in the Y-axis direction by the position adjusting means, both the first mirror 10 and the second mirror 20 are on the stationary coordinate system XYZ. It is displaced by ΔY in the Y-axis direction. Here, focusing on the displacement of the second mirror 20, as shown in FIG. 5, this displacement functions to displace the light beam L3 by ΔLz in the Z-axis direction. However, paying attention to the displacement of the first mirror 20, as is apparent from the perspective view of FIG. 1, even if the first mirror 10 is displaced in the Y-axis direction, it contributes to the displacement of the light beam L2. do not do. After all, the position adjustment operation of translating the first support relative to the second support in the Y-axis direction is an independent adjustment operation for displacing the light beam L3 in the Z-axis direction as shown in FIG. It turns out that.

  The feature of the embodiment described in this §2 is that it is not necessary to perform independent and independent position adjustment operations (translation operations) on the first mirror 10 and the second mirror 20, and the drive system is simplified. Is that you can. That is, the first mirror 10 and the second mirror 20 are mounted on the same support body as the first support body, and the first support body with respect to the second support body by the position adjusting means. When they are translated, they are displaced by the same amount of displacement in the same direction. Nevertheless, when the translation in the X-axis direction is performed, only the displacement in the X-axis direction of the light beam L2, which is the reflected light of the first mirror 10, occurs, and the translation in the Y-axis direction is performed. As a result, only the displacement of the light beam L3, which is the reflected light of the second mirror 20, in the Z-axis direction occurs, and position control in the two directions of the final emitted light from this optical axis adjusting device is independent. Can be done.

<<< §3. Embodiment with angle adjustment function >>>
As in the embodiments described in §1 and §2, an optical axis adjusting device having a position adjusting function for translating a light beam obtained as emitted light to an arbitrary position can be used for various applications. However, in practice, it is preferable to further have a function of adjusting the angle of the light beam obtained as the emitted light. If the optical axis adjustment that combines the adjustment of the position of the light beam obtained as the emitted light (adjustment by parallel movement) and the adjustment of the angle (adjustment to change the direction) can be performed, all adjustments required in practice can be handled. It becomes possible to do. Therefore, in practice, it is preferable to add an angle adjusting means to the embodiment described above.

  6 shows the optical axis adjusting device shown in FIG. 1, in which the reflecting surface M1 (first mirror 10) is around an axis parallel to the Y axis (in the drawing, perpendicular to the paper surface set at the incident point P1 of the light beam L1). It is XZ sectional drawing which shows the optical axis change which arises by making it incline in the direction rotated about an axis | shaft. A reflective surface M1 indicated by a solid line in the figure indicates a position before the inclination, and a reflective surface M1 ′ indicated by a broken line in the figure indicates a position after the inclination. As shown in the figure, before tilting, the light beam L1 is reflected at the incident point P1 on the reflecting surface M1 and emitted as the light beam L2, but when the reflecting surface M1 is tilted as indicated by a broken line, the incident angle changes. Therefore, the light beam L1 is emitted as the light beam L2 ′. Eventually, when the reflecting surface M1 is inclined by an angle δ as shown in the figure, the direction of the light beam emitted as reflected light changes by an angle 2δ. Of course, if the first mirror 10 is tilted in a different direction (not shown), the tilt direction of the light beam is also different.

  7 shows the optical axis adjusting apparatus shown in FIG. 1, in which the reflecting surface M2 (second mirror 20) is around an axis parallel to the X axis (in the drawing, perpendicular to the paper surface set at the incident point P2 of the light beam L2). It is a YZ cross-sectional view showing an optical axis change caused by tilting in the direction of rotation about the axis). A reflective surface M2 indicated by a solid line in the figure indicates a position before the inclination, and a reflective surface M2 ′ indicated by a broken line in the figure indicates a position after the inclination. As shown in the figure, before tilting, the light beam L2 is reflected at the incident point P2 on the reflecting surface M2 and emitted as the light beam L3. However, when the reflecting surface M2 is tilted as indicated by a broken line, the incident angle changes. Therefore, the light beam L2 is emitted as the light beam L3 ′. Eventually, when the reflecting surface M2 is tilted by an angle δ as shown in the figure, the direction of the light beam emitted as reflected light changes by the angle 2δ. Of course, if the second mirror 20 is tilted in another direction (not shown), the tilt direction of the light beam is also different.

  As described above, the angle adjustment of the light beam can be performed by an operation of tilting the first mirror 10 in a predetermined direction, or can be performed by an operation of tilting the second mirror 20 in a predetermined direction. Therefore, it is sufficient that the angle adjusting means is provided with a function of performing an inclination operation for any one of the mirrors. Therefore, in practice, one of the first mirror 10 and the second mirror 20 is a fixed mirror that does not tilt, and the other is a tilted mirror that tilts, so that only the tilt mirror can be tilted. It is preferable to leave. Since various mechanisms for tilting the reflecting surface of the mirror in a predetermined direction are known, a specific description of the tilt mechanism is omitted here. Of course, the angle adjusting means may be configured by a manual tilt mechanism or an electrically driven tilt mechanism.

<<< §4. Embodiment of optical axis automatic adjustment system >>>
Here, an embodiment of an optical axis automatic adjustment system using the optical axis adjustment device described so far will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. This optical axis automatic adjustment system is also used in the case where a light beam is present along a reference optical path passing through a predetermined incident point Pi and exit point Po in an XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system, and the incident light is off the reference optical path. , And has a function of performing automatic optical axis adjustment so that the emitted light maintains a state along the reference optical path.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the light beam L1 passing through the incident point Pi is given as the incident light to the optical axis automatic adjustment system, and is emitted as the light beam L3 passing through the emission point Po. Here, as long as the light beam L1 is stable incident light, a fixed reference optical path (optical paths of the light beams L1, L2, and L3 indicated by the one-dot chain line in the figure) passing through the incident point Pi and the exit point Po is secured. Will be. However, when the light beam L1 is generated using a laser light source or the like, the light beam L1 as the incident light deviates from the reference optical path due to instability or aging at the start of the laser light source, and the incident light shown in FIG. A situation may occur in which the point Pi is not passed. In the optical axis automatic adjustment system shown here, even when the light beam L1 as the incident light deviates from the reference optical path, the light beam L3 as the emitted light remains unchanged along the reference optical path. Automatic optical axis adjustment can be performed.

  As shown in the figure, the basic components of this optical axis automatic adjustment system are an adjustment unit 100 that adjusts the optical axis, a detection unit 200 that detects the deviation of the optical axis, and an adjustment unit based on the detection result of the detection unit 200. A control unit 300 that controls 100.

  Here, the adjusting unit 100 is configured by an optical axis adjusting device including the angle adjusting means described in §3. Here, in particular, an example will be shown in which the optical axis adjustment device in which the angle adjustment means described in §3 is added to the embodiment described in §2 is used as the adjustment unit 100. Of course, other optical axis adjustments are also used. The apparatus may be used as the adjustment unit 100.

  As shown in the figure, the adjustment unit 100 is provided with a first support 110, and the first mirror 10 and the second mirror 20 are disposed on the first support 110 with respect to each other as shown in FIG. Installed to maintain relationship. In this example, the first support 110 is a box-like structure, and the first mirror 10 and the second mirror 20 are accommodated therein. In addition, the first mirror 10 is a fixed mirror and is fixed in the first support 110, whereas the second mirror 20 is an inclined mirror. It is attached in the 1st support body 110 so that it can incline in arbitrary directions. Of course, the first mirror 10 may be an inclined mirror and the second mirror 20 may be a fixed mirror, and both the first mirror 10 and the second mirror 20 may be inclined mirrors, and the angle adjustment means 120 may be adjusted. It does not matter even if it becomes the target of.

  The position adjusting unit 130 is a driving unit provided between the first support 110 and the second support 140. In this example, the second support 140 is composed of a structure serving as a pedestal, and functions to support the entire first support 110. The position adjusting means 130 has a function of translating the first support 110 with respect to the second support 140 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. This position adjusting means 130 can be constituted by, for example, an XY stage that can be driven by a stepping motor.

  On the other hand, the detection unit 200 has a function of detecting the angle and position of the light beam L3 emitted from the adjustment unit 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the detection unit 200 includes a first beam distribution unit 210, a second beam distribution unit 220, an angle detection unit 230, and a position detection unit 240. The first beam distribution unit 210 has a function of extracting a part of the light beam L3 reflected by the second mirror 20 as a detection light beam L30, and the second beam distribution unit 220 has this detection light. The beam L30 is further divided into two beams L31 and L32. As the first beam distribution unit 210 and the second beam distribution unit 220, a general beam splitter may be used. The angle detection means 230 has a function of detecting an angle (beam direction) based on the light beam L31 distributed by the second beam distribution means 220, and the position detection means 240 is a second beam distribution means 220. Has a function of detecting the position based on the light beam L32 distributed by. Specific configuration examples of these detection means will be described later.

  As shown in the figure, the control unit 300 includes a position control unit 310, a position storage unit 320, an angle control unit 330, and an angle storage unit 340. In practice, the control unit 300 includes a processor or a computer having an arithmetic processing function. The The position storage means 320 and the angle storage means 340 are detected by the position detection means 240 and the angle detection means 230 in the detection unit 200 in a state where the light beam L1 given as incident light is given along the reference optical path. It has a function of storing the angle and position. When the light beam L1 is given along the reference optical path, the light beam L3 is also emitted along the reference optical path. Therefore, the operator gives a storage instruction to the control unit 300 at that time. As a result, the position and angle of the light beam L3 at that time are detected by the position detection unit 240 and the angle detection unit 230, and are stored in the position storage unit 320 and the angle storage unit 340 as reference values.

  Thus, after the position and angle reference values are stored in the position storage means 320 and the angle storage means 340, automatic control by the position control means 310 and the angle control means 330 is performed. That is, the position control unit 310 has a function of controlling the position adjustment unit 130 so as to eliminate the shift when the position detected by the position detection unit 240 is shifted from the value stored in the position storage unit 320. . When receiving such a control input, the position adjusting unit 130 performs an operation of translating the first support 110 in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction as described above. On the other hand, the angle control means 330 has a function of controlling the angle adjustment means 120 so as to eliminate the deviation when the angle detected by the angle detection means 230 deviates from the value stored in the angle storage means 340. . When receiving such a control input, the angle adjusting unit 120 performs an operation of inclining the second mirror 20 in a predetermined direction as described above.

  By such feedback control, even when the light beam L1 given as incident light deviates from the reference optical path, the optical axis adjustment relating to the position and angle of the light beam is automatically performed in the adjustment unit 100, The light beam L3 as the emitted light is along the reference optical path as in the previous state.

  Finally, specific configuration examples of the angle detection unit 230 and the position detection unit 240 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the principle of position detection by the detection unit 200 shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the principle of angle detection. In these drawings, the condensing lens 231 and the light receiving element 232 are specific components of the angle detecting unit 230, and the light receiving element 241 is a specific component of the position detecting unit 240. That is, in the example shown here, the angle detection unit 230 condenses the parallel light beam at a predetermined focal point, and the light receiving surface arranged at a position away from the condensing lens 231 by the focal length. And a light receiving element 232 for detecting a light collecting position on the light receiving surface, and the position detecting means 240 is constituted by a light receiving element 241 for detecting a beam irradiation position on a predetermined light receiving surface. Has been.

  First, with reference to FIG. 9, the principle by which position detection is performed by the light receiving element 241 will be described. Now, considering a state in which a light beam L3 as shown by a solid line in the drawing is obtained as emitted light, a part of the light beam L3 is distributed as a detection light beam L30 by the first beam distribution means 210. The detection light beam L30 is distributed by the second beam distribution means 220 into the light beam L31 and the light beam L32. The light beam L31 passes through the condenser lens 231 and is applied to the incident point Q10 on the light receiving element 232, and the light beam L32 is applied to the incident point Q20 on the light receiving element 241.

  Here, suppose that the position of the light beam L3 is shifted and translated to the position of the light beam L3 'as shown by the broken line. Then, the incident point on the light receiving element 241 is shifted from the point Q20 to the point Q21. Therefore, the light receiving element 241 which is a constituent element of the position detecting unit 240 can detect a positional shift. However, the incident point on the light receiving element 232 remains the point Q10. This is because the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 232 is placed at the focal position of the condenser lens 231. That is, even if there are a plurality of light beams incident on the condensing lens 231, the light is collected at the same point on the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 232 as long as they are parallel to each other. Thus, the change in the position of the light beam L3 is detected only by the light receiving element 241 constituting the position detecting means 240, and is not detected by the light receiving element 232 constituting the angle detecting means 230.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the principle of angle detection performed by the light receiving element 232 will be described. Here again, a state is considered in which a light beam L3 as shown by a solid line in the drawing is obtained as emitted light. As shown in the drawing, a part of the light beam L3 is distributed by the first beam distribution unit 210 as a detection light beam L30. The detection light beam L30 is distributed by the second beam distribution means 220 into the light beam L31 and the light beam L32. The light beam L31 passes through the condenser lens 231 and is applied to the incident point Q10 on the light receiving element 232, and the light beam L32 is applied to the incident point Q20 on the light receiving element 241.

  Here, it is assumed that the angle (direction) of the light beam L3 is deviated and tilted like a light beam L3 'as indicated by a broken line. Then, the incident point on the light receiving element 232 is shifted from the point Q10 to the point Q11. This is because the light beam indicated by the solid line and the light beam indicated by the broken line are not parallel, and the condensing point by the condensing lens 231 is shifted. Thus, the change in the angle of the light beam L3 can be detected by the light receiving element 232 constituting the angle detecting means 230. However, at this time, since the incident point on the light receiving element 241 is also shifted from the point Q20 to the point Q22, such a change in angle is also detected in the light receiving element 241 constituting the position detecting means 240.

  After all, the detection result of the light receiving element 232 includes only the change in angle, whereas the detection result of the light receiving element 241 includes both components of the change in position and the change in angle. It will be. In view of such circumstances, theoretically, the feedback control by the control unit 300 is performed first by first performing angle control (control by the angle control means 330) for matching the angles, and then for matching the positions. It is preferable to perform position control (control by the position control means 310). If the detection result for the angle matches the reference value, the change component for the angle can be removed from the detection result of the light receiving element 241 and only the change component for the position can be recognized. In practice, however, if the angle control and the position control are executed alternately, the feedback control gradually brings the detection result closer to the reference value. Need not be strictly considered.

It is a perspective view showing the basic composition of the optical axis adjustment device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an XZ sectional view showing an optical axis change caused by translating a reflecting surface M1 in the X-axis direction in the optical axis adjusting apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an XZ sectional view showing an optical axis change caused by translating a reflecting surface M1 in the Z-axis direction in the optical axis adjusting device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a YZ cross-sectional view showing an optical axis change caused by translating a reflecting surface M2 in the Z-axis direction in the optical axis adjusting device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a YZ sectional view showing an optical axis change caused by translating a reflecting surface M2 in the Y-axis direction in the optical axis adjusting device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an XZ cross-sectional view showing an optical axis change caused by tilting the reflecting surface M1 in a direction to rotate about an axis parallel to the Y axis in the optical axis adjusting device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a YZ cross-sectional view showing an optical axis change caused by tilting the reflecting surface M2 in a direction to rotate around an axis parallel to the X axis in the optical axis adjusting device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of the optical axis automatic adjustment system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the principle of position detection by the detection part 200 shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the principle of the angle detection by the detection part 200 shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... 1st mirror 11 ... Axis 20 parallel to Y-axis ... 2nd mirror 21 ... Axis 100 parallel to X-axis ... Adjustment part 110 ... 1st support body 120 ... Angle adjustment means 130 ... Position adjustment means 140 ... second support 200 ... detector 210 ... first beam distributing means 220 ... second beam distributing means 230 ... angle detecting means 231 ... condensing lens 232 ... light receiving element 240 ... position detecting means 241 ... light receiving element 300 ... Control section 310 ... Position control means 320 ... Position storage means 330 ... Angle control means 340 ... Angle storage means L1, L2, L2 ', L3, L3' ... Light beams L30, L31, L32 ... Detection light beams M1, M1 ', M2, M2' ... Reflective surface O ... Origin P1, P1 ', P2, P2' ... Incident point Pi ... Incident point Po ... Ejection point Q10, Q11, Q20, Q21, Q22 ... Incident point α, β … Angle δ… tilt Angle DerutaLx, displacement of DerutaLz ... light beam ΔM1x, ΔM1z ... displacement amount of the displacement amount ΔM2y, ΔM2z ... reflecting surface M2 of the reflecting surface M1

Claims (10)

An optical axis adjustment device having a function of adjusting an optical axis of light incident on an XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system and emitting the same,
A first mirror having a reflective surface obtained by rotating a plane parallel to the XY plane by a predetermined angle α (0 ° <α <90 °) about a rotation axis parallel to the Y axis;
A second mirror having a reflecting surface obtained by rotating a plane parallel to the XZ plane by a predetermined angle β (0 ° <β <90 °) about a rotation axis parallel to the X axis;
A support for supporting the first mirror and the second mirror at a predetermined position so that incident light is reflected and emitted from at least both of the mirrors;
Position adjusting means for translating the first mirror in the X-axis or Z-axis direction with respect to the support, and translating the second mirror in the Y-axis or Z-axis direction;
An optical axis adjusting device comprising: An optical axis adjustment device having a function of adjusting an optical axis of light incident on an XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system and emitting the same,
A first mirror having a reflective surface obtained by rotating a plane parallel to the XY plane by a predetermined angle α (0 ° <α <90 °) about a rotation axis parallel to the Y axis;
A second mirror having a reflecting surface obtained by rotating a plane parallel to the XZ plane by a predetermined angle β (0 ° <β <90 °) about a rotation axis parallel to the X axis;
A first support for supporting the first mirror and the second mirror at a predetermined position so that incident light is reflected and emitted from at least both of the mirrors;
A second support for supporting the first support;
Position adjusting means for translating the first support relative to the second support in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction;
An optical axis adjusting device comprising: In the optical axis adjustment device according to claim 1 or 2,
An optical axis adjusting device further comprising angle adjusting means having a function of performing at least one of an operation of inclining the first mirror in a predetermined direction and an operation of inclining the second mirror in a predetermined direction. . In the optical axis adjustment device according to claim 3,
One of the first mirror and the second mirror is a fixed mirror that does not tilt, the other is a tilted mirror that tilts, and the tilting operation is performed only on the tilted mirror. . When a light beam is present along a reference optical path that passes through a predetermined incident point and an exit point in an XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system, even if the incident light deviates from the reference optical path, the emitted light follows the reference optical path. An optical axis automatic adjustment system having a function of performing automatic optical axis adjustment so as to maintain the state,
An adjustment unit that performs optical axis adjustment, a detection unit that detects deviation of the optical axis, and a control unit that controls the adjustment unit based on a detection result by the detection unit,
The adjusting unit is
A first mirror having a reflective surface obtained by rotating a plane parallel to the XY plane by a predetermined angle α (0 ° <α <90 °) about a rotation axis parallel to the Y axis;
A second mirror having a reflecting surface obtained by rotating a plane parallel to the XZ plane by a predetermined angle β (0 ° <β <90 °) about a rotation axis parallel to the X axis;
A support for supporting the first mirror and the second mirror at a predetermined position so that incident light is reflected and emitted from at least both of the mirrors;
Position adjusting means for translating the first mirror in the X-axis or Z-axis direction with respect to the support, and translating the second mirror in the Y-axis or Z-axis direction;
Angle adjusting means having a function of performing at least one of an operation of inclining the first mirror in a predetermined direction and an operation of inclining the second mirror in a predetermined direction;
The detection unit has a function of detecting the angle and position of the light beam emitted from the adjustment unit,
The control unit includes a storage unit that stores an angle and a position detected by the detection unit in a state where the incident light is along the reference optical path, and an angle and a position detected by the detection unit are stored in the storage unit. And an optical axis automatic adjustment system comprising: control means for controlling the angle adjustment means and the position adjustment means so as to eliminate the deviation when deviating from a certain value. When a light beam is present along a reference optical path that passes through a predetermined incident point and an exit point in an XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system, even if the incident light deviates from the reference optical path, the emitted light follows the reference optical path. An optical axis automatic adjustment system having a function of performing automatic optical axis adjustment so as to maintain the state,
An adjustment unit that performs optical axis adjustment, a detection unit that detects deviation of the optical axis, and a control unit that controls the adjustment unit based on a detection result by the detection unit,
The adjusting unit is
A first mirror having a reflective surface obtained by rotating a plane parallel to the XY plane by a predetermined angle α (0 ° <α <90 °) about a rotation axis parallel to the Y axis;
A second mirror having a reflecting surface obtained by rotating a plane parallel to the XZ plane by a predetermined angle β (0 ° <β <90 °) about a rotation axis parallel to the X axis;
A first support for supporting the first mirror and the second mirror at a predetermined position so that incident light is reflected and emitted from at least both of the mirrors;
A second support for supporting the first support;
Position adjusting means for translating the first support relative to the second support in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction;
Angle adjusting means having a function of performing at least one of an operation of inclining the first mirror in a predetermined direction and an operation of inclining the second mirror in a predetermined direction;
The detection unit has a function of detecting the angle and position of the light beam emitted from the adjustment unit,
The control unit includes a storage unit that stores an angle and a position detected by the detection unit in a state where the incident light is along the reference optical path, and an angle and a position detected by the detection unit are stored in the storage unit. And an optical axis automatic adjustment system comprising: control means for controlling the angle adjustment means and the position adjustment means so as to eliminate the deviation when deviating from a certain value. The optical axis automatic adjustment system according to claim 5 or 6,
One of the first mirror and the second mirror is a fixed mirror that does not tilt, the other is a tilted mirror that tilts, and the tilting operation is performed only on the tilted mirror. system. In the optical axis automatic adjustment system according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
A first beam distribution means for detecting a part of the light beam emitted from the adjustment section as a detection light beam; a second beam distribution means for distributing the detection light beam into two beams; An optical axis automatic adjustment system, comprising: an angle detection unit that detects an angle based on the first beam that has been distributed; and a position detection unit that detects a position based on the distributed second beam. The optical axis automatic adjustment system according to claim 8,
The angle detection means has a condensing lens for condensing parallel rays at a predetermined focal point, and a condensing position on the light receiving surface, the light receiving surface being disposed at a focal distance from the condensing lens. An optical axis automatic adjustment system comprising: a light receiving element for detecting light. The optical axis automatic adjustment system according to claim 8,
An automatic optical axis adjustment system characterized in that the position detecting means is constituted by a light receiving element for detecting a beam irradiation position on a predetermined light receiving surface.