Patent ID: 8748857
Filing Date: 2014-06-10
Classification: G01S,G02B

Abstract:
1. An off-axis telescope comprising: a primary optical element configured to reflect an energy beam from an optical reference source, the energy beam being emitted from the optical reference source along an optical path; a plurality of angle sensors arranged on a periphery of the primary optical element so as to determine angular motion of the energy beam from the optical reference source reflected off the primary optical element, wherein the angle sensors are operable to be biased to angular position settings associated with a desired pointing direction of the energy beam; a secondary optical element arranged in the optical path and configured to be translated along three orthogonal axes; a plurality of steering mirrors arranged between the optical reference source and the secondary optical element configured to be tilted in response to a control signal; a controller that auto-aligns the telescope by at least translating the secondary optical element and tilting the steering mirrors via the control signal using at least inputs from the plurality of angle sensors.