The alignment techniques, bearing designs, and optical system configuration used by a low optical feedback/low insertion loss single-mode optical rotary joint are presented. Attention is given to the test results obtained for temperature, shock and vibration, and humidity cycles. Initial design criteria have been substantially exceeded by the system components fabricated to date; only the humidity-related performance goals have yet to be reached, due to the intrinsic permeability of the rotating interface by water vapor in initially hot, humid atmospheric conditions that support condensation upon subsequent cooling.

Date Published: 1 February 1991
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 1369, Fiber Optic Systems for Mobile Platforms IV, (1 February 1991); doi: 10.1117/12.24822

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1369:
Fiber Optic Systems for Mobile Platforms IV
Norris E. Lewis; Emery L. Moore, Editor(s)