Table of Contents

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 — 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 image.

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