The complete article appears in the March issue of Photonics Spectra. If you do not have a copy of this issue, e-mail us a request. Be sure to include your street address or fax number.
Practical techniques streamline the alignment and precision realignment of laser beams.
In the laboratory, operational flexibility is key because setups are modified and reconfigured routinely. In commercial products, the critical aspects are quick alignment during assembly and simple realignment to accommodate efficient replacement or repair of the laser or optics. The most obvious is to move the laser, but this is generally the least effective approach. Calif. Phillip Mitchell is manager of technology development at Newport. Inc. All rights reserved.