Optical alignment method for transmitter-receiver terminals based on camera focusing and transmitter defocus...

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Optical Engineering
• Laser Systems

Background:

• Laser optoelectronic transceivers are vital in space, aviation, and ground systems.
• Precise focal control is essential for imaging quality and energy concentration.
• Conventional focusing methods are bulky and unsuitable for terminal deployment and recalibration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a compact and accurate method for aligning and calibrating laser transceiver focal positions.
• To enable camera focusing and measure object-side defocus and beam divergence.
• To provide a solution for recalibration and focus inspection in limited spaces.

Main Methods:

• A Gaussian-beam-based alignment and calibration method was proposed and theoretically modeled.
• Utilized a fiber collimator with fixed divergence and fitted Gaussian spot profiles.
• Quantified focal length and object-side defocus within a limited spatial constraint.

Main Results:

• The proposed method demonstrated high accuracy in focal length quantification, reducing relative error by ~81.3%.
• Root-mean-square deviation for focal length was reduced by ~80.7%.
• Object-side defocus and divergence deviations from theory were within 2%.

Conclusions:

• The Gaussian-beam method offers a compact, effective solution for terminal alignment and calibration of laser transceiver systems.
• It significantly improves focal length accuracy and provides precise measurements of defocus and divergence.
• The method is suitable for miniaturized, scalable engineering implementations requiring high-precision focusing.