Autocollimation angle-measurement method with a large range based on spot deformation

Abstract

A novel hollow cylindrical cube-corner reflector (HCCCR) for the autocollimator (AC) is proposed. The angle measuring range of AC will be effectively increased by using the parallel propagation characteristics of the reflected light and the incident light in local area of this reflector. And the yaw and pitch angles of HCCCR will be measured through the morphological changes of the reflected beam. The experimental results show that the measuring range of the autocollimation angle measurement method is extended from ±30′ to ±30°, and the dynamic measurement distance is 0.2∼5m, the measurement accuracy of pitch angle and yaw angle is better than 69” and 51”, respectively.