Optoform

Optoform is an optical bench system that provides a plurality of opto-mechanical components that may be assembled so as to construct a multiplicity of self-holding optical instruments in many varied configurations.^[1] Unlike traditional cubic optical systems, Optoform employs a concentric bore pattern that allow interconnection between mounts using rods along their optical axis, or at right angles via corner connectors. The circular patterns allow for easier assembly of optical components in a more natural fashion with other optical components, such as lenses. These bores could also utilize linear bearings, and micrometers for precise linear, and X-Y positioning of optical elements.

The word optoform is derived from optical functionality+form. Just like Lego blocks or an erector set, experiments are done with form in mind, and the functionality follows. For example, a microscopes built with Optoform both functions, and looks like a microscope.

Optical experiments which are traditionally setup on optical tables, are far from becoming a usable instrument. Optoform allows optical engineers and researchers to make self contained instrument-like results, without having to machine any custom parts.

Design advantages over prior art

The circular shape of Optoform is less labour intensive to manufacture. This is in contrast with the traditional square mounts of prior art, which require all four sides to be machined in order to achieve precise right angles at all corners whereas machining of round plates only requires a simple lathe operation. In the prior art, the square shape of the mounts limits the angles at which the plates can be mounted together, but the circular shape allow the plates to be mounted together at various angles.

Mounting plates are conventionally fastened together by means of screws. Therefore, all four sides of square plates have to be provided with some threaded bores, whether the bores are used in every assembly or not. Further, the plates are joined together with corner connectors, which must have an equal number of bores through which the screws are secured. In Optoform, the threaded bores are placed in the corner connectors, and therefore, utilised only when needed. This scheme further reduces the manufacturing cost.

In conventional square design, optical components must be held at four points since the retaining screws must be placed on each side of the plates. In Optoform, the three-point positional adjustment is more advantageous while at the same time allowing easier removal of the optical component.

Applications

Optoform has been utilised by well known research centres and universities around the world to construct spectroscopy experiments, third harmonic generation microscopy, fibre optics setups, biomedical instruments, eye surgery apparatus, telescopes, stellar interferometer, imaging systems, vacuum experiments, etc.^[2][3][4]

Inventor

Optoform system was invented by Ali Afshari, born in Kashan, Iran. He was granted a PCT patent in 1998. Prior to inventing Optoform, he worked at Teledyne systems, Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory on the Hubble Space Telescope, and the Cassini project. He is the author of a number of books on Opto-mechanical design of cameras.^[5]

References

1. ^ http://afoptical.com/af/cats.php?cid=1
2. ^ "Building a small telescope". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsAN2fM_VS0&feature=channel_video_title. 
3. ^ Iyer, V; Losavio, BE, Saggau, P (2003 Jul). "Compensation of spatial and temporal dispersion for acousto-optic multiphoton laser-scanning microscopy.". Journal of biomedical optics 8 (3): 460–71. PMID 12880352. 
4. ^ Zordan, Michael D.; Grafton, Meggie M. G., Acharya, Ghanashyam, Reece, Lisa M., Cooper, Christy L., Aronson, Arthur I., Park, Kinam, Leary, James F. (1 February 2009). "Detection of pathogenic O157:H7 by a hybrid microfluidic SPR and molecular imaging cytometry device". Cytometry Part A 75A (2): 155–162. doi:10.1002/cyto.a.20692. 
5. ^ Afshari, Ali (1987). From exakta to maxxum. pp. 140. http://www.amazon.com/Exakta-Maxxum-Ali-Afshari/dp/B0006EOSD0. 

External links

• AFoptical.com