A bipod flexure mount couples an optic to a base while isolating the optic from strain to resist wavefront error. The bipod flexure mount has a distal attachment pad to be coupled to the optic and a proximal attachment pad to be coupled to the base. A pair of beams extend between and couple the distal and proximal attachment pads. The distal attachment pad, the proximal attachment pad and the pair of beams are disposed in and define a planar layer with opposite planar surfaces that are substantially parallel. The bipod flexure mount is relatively flexible about four degrees of freedom and is relatively stiff about two degrees of freedom.

A lens mount assembly is configured to support a lens assembly having a lens ring and at least one lens secured to the lens ring. The lens mount assembly includes a ring mount having an annular body with at least two retaining arms that project from the annular body, a flexure configured to be secured to the ring mount, and at least two bellows. Each bellows is configured to be secured to a respective retaining arm of the at least two retaining arms of the ring mount. The at least two bellows further are configured to engage the flexure.

An improved mount for, and method of mounting, an optical structure having a grooved/relieved protruding member is provided. The mount may have the grooved/relieved protruding member extending from a surface of the optical structure, a base element for mounting the mount to another structure and an upper element extending from the base element having a first opening extending therethrough for receipt therein of at least a portion of the grooved/relieved member. The first opening defines first and second arms, each of the arms comprising a head portion and each of the head portions ending at an end. A second opening in the upper element extends through one of the head portions and the end thereof in a direction toward the other head portion, while a third opening exists in the upper element through the end of the other head portion in an orientation substantially opposite to and in communication with the second opening so that a tightening mechanism may be received through the second opening and the third opening. Tightening of the tightening mechanism into the third opening causes the ends of the head portions to draw toward each other so that the first opening of the upper element tightens around the at least a portion of the grooved/relieved protruding member.

An improved mount assembly for an optical structure, is provided. The mount assembly for the optical structure, comprising an optical structure comprising at least one mirror panel, the mirror panel comprising a reflective surface, a back surface substantially opposite the reflective surface and at least one side surface extending between the reflective and back surfaces, at least one mounting member extending from the optical structure, a housing for receipt therein of at least a portion of the optical structure and all of the mounting member extending from the optical structure, the housing having at least one opening therethrough, and at least one screw received and tightened within the at least one opening such that a first end of the screw presses against and at least partially secures the mounting member within the housing. A method for assembling the same is also provided.

Disclosed is an adjustable mirror mount that is capable of adjusting a mirror in two axes with a high degree of precision and low cross-coupling. Long horizontal and vertical adjustment arms are used to allow the precision adjustment about both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis.

The conical ball cone bearing is a high load and reduced pressure kinematic or fixed thrust bearing that allows for a greater load carrying capacity with a reduced contact pressure to be obtained in a smaller package. This bearing maximizes the contact radius over the needed angular translation to reduce the contact pressure. This has two advantages in a kinematic system. First, the reduced contact pressure increases the maximum load the bearing can hold prior to surface failure. Second, the reduced contact pressure reduces the friction on the kinematic contacts, allowing the kinematic system to move more freely and operate with a smoother movement and improved stability.

An optical device provided with an optical parts position adjusting and fixing device for adjusting and fixing the position of the optical parts moving in an optical axis direction, wherein the position adjusting and fixing device is provided with a long slotted hole extended in the optical axis direction formed on a side surface of the optical parts; a fixing means which is mounted on an object to be fixed of the optical parts and which is movable along the long slotted hole; a non-penetrating screw hole formed in the fixing means and which is divided by a slit; and a screw which is screwed into the screw hole and spreads the slit when screwed into the screw hole so as to press the outer surface of the fixing means against the inner surface of the long slotted hole.

An adjustable optical arrangement includes an optics mount, an optical element held at the optics mount, a holding structure having a ball joint for receiving the optics mount, a ball joint holding the optics mount at the holding structure, a first adjustment device configured to pivot the optics mount with respect to the holding structure about a first axis, and a second adjustment device configured to pivot the optics mount with respect to the holding structure about a second axis. The ball joint is disposed between the optical element and the first and the second adjustment device.

An optical scanning adapter for shifting the imaging axis of an inspection probe for inspecting fiber endfaces of a multiple-fiber connector includes a housing, a fitting tip having a mating interface for interfacing with the connector, an imaging assembly, an x-direction driving mechanism, a y-direction driving mechanism, and a connecting portion for connecting an inspection probe. The imaging assembly includes a first lens, a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and a second lens. The connector endfaces are placed on the front focal plane of the first lens. The x-direction driving mechanism shifts the imaging axis of the imaging assembly along a first direction by translating the first lens and the first reflective surface together, whereas the y-direction driving mechanism shifts the imaging axis along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction by turning the second reflective surface about the optical axis of the second lens.

Disclosed is a novel assembly and method that enables a user to collimate a focused Cassegrain telescope. The assembly, having a secondary mirror and support baffle, comprising an axle, a bearing, and hub, enables a user to precisely rotate or freely spin a Cassegrain telescope's secondary mirror about its optical axis. Incident to freely spinning the telescope's secondary mirror, the user may peer into the telescope's eyepiece and observe a focused image that may wobble, or remain stable, dependent upon how well the telescope's mirrors are aligned. Further, the assembly's eyepiece, comprising a reticle design, enables the observer to measure the magnitude and direction of image shift incident to the secondary mirror spinning. Lastly, the assembly, comprising a radially marked collimating faceplate, and radially marked collimating knob screws, enables a user to make specific adjustments to the telescope's secondary mirror, compensating for the observed image shift, precisely collimating the telescope.