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ABSTRACT The Point Source Microscope (PSM) utilizes infinite conjugate optics internally. When the microscope objective is removed, the PSM is an autocollimator. Unlike conventional autocollimators, which use a reticle pattern for illumination, the PSM employs a single-mode fiber. The PSM camera captures a well-focused, circular return reflection when a perfect plane mirror is aligned perpendicular […]

After finishing Chapter 1, I was going to jump right into discussing using the PSM for opticalalignment. As I started an outline for this Chapter, one of the entries was locating the center ofcurvature, and this led to radius of curvature which made me think that it would be best toexplain the origin of the […]

This chapter introduces the Point Source Microscope (PSM) as a multipurpose optical metrologyinstrument. For those already familiar with the PSM, many of the following concepts may seemstraightforward. However, for new users—or those with limited background in optics—theoperation and capabilities of the instrument are not immediately obvious. Even experienced usersmay not fully appreciate certain aspects of […]

Learn what a point source microscope is, how it differs from interferometers, and when to use this precision optical alignment tool in engineering applications.

Quantum computing companies face a brutal optical alignment challenge. Misalignment in a camera lens blurs your photos. Misalignment in a quantum system destroys qubit coherence and crashes gate fidelity below usable levels. The problem isn’t just tighter tolerances. It’s that quantum systems are spread across optical tables where every element needs independent adjustment in five […]

Since it’s Women’s History month, a question from my lawyer (a woman) about why Tucson is called “Optics Valley” reminded me of two influential women who are largely responsible for that legacy. The first is Lavinia Steward of Oracle, Arizona, who made the largest private donation to the University of Arizona up to that time […]