Autocollimator

Autocollimators are optical instruments that measure angular displacements with high sensitivity. They
are used to align optical components and measure optical and mechanical deflections.
Autocollimation Principle :

The two main principles used in an autocollimator are

(a) the projection and the refraction of a parallel beam of light by a lens, and

(b) the change in direction of a reflected angle on a plane reflecting surface with the change in the angle
of incidence.
Autocollimator – working Principle and Application

To understand this, let us imagine a converging lens with a point source of light O at its principle focus,
as shown in Figure a. When a beam of light strikes a flat reflecting surface, a part of the beam is
absorbed and the other part is reflected back. If the angle of incidence is zero, i.e. incident rays fall
perpendicular to the reflecting surface, the reflected rays retrace the original path. When the reflecting
plane is tilted at a certain angle, the total angle through which the light is deflected is twice the angle
through which the mirror is tilted. Thus, alternately, if the incident rays are not at the right angle to the
reflecting surface they can be brought to the focal plane of the light sources by tilting the reflecting
plane at an angle half the angle of reflection as shown in Figure b.

Now, from the diagram, OO’ = 2Θ × f = x, where f is the focal length of the lens.

Thus, by measuring the linear distance x, the inclination of the reflecting surface Θ can be determined.
The position of the final image does not depend upon the distance of the reflector from the lens. If,
however, the reflector is moved too long, the reflected ray will then completely miss the lens and no
image will be formed
Working Of Autocollimator:

In actual practice, the work surface whose inclination is to be obtained forms

the reflecting surface and the displacement x is measured by a precision
microscope that is calibrated directly to the values of inclinationΘ.
The optical system of an autocollimator is shown in Figure The target wires
are illuminated by the electric bulb and act as a source of light since it is not
convenient to visualize the reflected image of a point and then to measure
the displacement x precisely. The image of the illuminated wire after being
reflected from the surface being measured is formed in the same plane as
the wire itself. The eyepiece system containing the micrometer microscope
mechanism has a pair of setting lines that may be used to measure the
displacement of the image by setting to the original cross lines and then
moving over to those of the imagautocollimator construction diagram

Generally, calibration is supplied with the instrument. Thus, the angle of

inclination of the reflecting surface per division of the micrometer scale can
be directly read.
Autocollimators are quite accurate and can read up to 0.1 seconds, and may
be used for a distance up to 30 meters.
Types of Autocollimators

1) Visual Autocollimators –

Visual autocollimators measure the angle of optically flat (1/4 wave or better), reflective surfaces in arc
seconds by viewing a graduated reticle through an eyepiece. The longer the focal length of the visual
autocollimator, the greater the angular resolution and the smaller the field of view

2)Digital Autocollimators –

Autocollimators are PC-based instruments that are designed to operate in the lab as well as in a machine
shop environment.

Use an electronic photodetector to detect the reflected beam.

No external controller is required.

Advantages: 1) High precision. 2) Real-Time measurements. 3) User – friendly interface. 4) Creating data
reports and transferring in other programs.
Factors Governing the specification of an Autocollimator

(i) Focal Length

The focal length determines the basic sensitivity and angular measuring range of the instrument. A
longer focal length gives a greater measuring sensitivity and measurement accuracy (due to larger linear
displacement for a given reflector tilt). But as the focal length increases the measuring range decreases
proportionally. Also a longer focal length affects the mechanical extension of the tube.

(ii) Objective aperture size

When large apertures are used, light conditions are more favorable and the evaluation of results is
easier and more accurate. A long-distance between the mirror and autocollimator demands a relatively
large aperture and larger reflector for satisfactory image contrast.

(iii) Type of Beam Splitter

A geometrical beam splitter results in smaller image angles but greater image brightness. These are used
mainly with small targets and due to their internal layout cannot be used for measurement of corner
cubes. A physical beam splitter is recommended in most cases due to the larger measuring range.

(iv) Fixed or variable distance setting

When the distance between the autocollimator and target mirror remains fixed, extremely close
readings can be taken and repeatability is excellent. For variable focal length, an objective tube with
focus adjustment is used.
Application Of Autocollimator :

Autocollimators are used by the optical industry and mechanical engineers in a variety of applications.
Their specific functions include precision alignment, the detection of angular movement, the verification
of angle standards, and angular monitoring over long periods.
Testing Application

Autocollimators can be used in the testing of

Parallelism with a collimator and telescope

Opaque wedges and plane-parallel plates

Transparent wedges

Angles in glass prisms

The accuracy of rotary tables and index tables

Camera objectives

These optical instruments are also used in the flatness testing of reflecting surfaces, the control of
wedges and plane-parallel plates, and parallel measurement of cylindrical bores.

Measurement Applications

In addition to testing applications, autocollimators can be used to measure the

Radius of concave and convex spherical surfaces

Back focal of lenses and optical systems

Centration error of spherical surfaces

Centration error of lenses in transmission

Parallelism or perpendicularity of two surfaces7

Additional applications include the

Radius measurement of concave and convex spherical surfaces

Relative measurement of the angular error of prisms

Pitch and yaw measurement of slides

Parallel setting of rolls

Finally, autocollimators can be used to measure straightness, flatness, roll angle, and the squareness
between a vertical angle and a machine bed.
Advantages of Autocollimators :

Measure the Straightness and Flatness

Used for higher accuracy measurement.

To check squareness and parallelism.

Easy to set up and operate.

Used to align components.

Measuring small angles.

Disadvantages of Autocollimators :

Regular maintenance is required.

Difficulty in positioning and identification.

Time-consuming.

Requires sample cutting and processing for tracing by the detector.

Acknowledgement

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my teacher

MRS.Geetha Krishnan as well as our principal Mrs.Lavanya Mithran who
gave me the golden opportunity to do this wonderful project on the topic
(Write the topic name), which also helped me in doing a lot of Research and i
came to know about so many new things I am really thankful to them.
Secondly i would also like to thank my parents and friends who helped me a
lot in finalizing this project within the limited time frame.
Bibliography

www.google.com
www.wikipedia.org