autocollimationn.
/ˌɔːtə(ʊ)ˌkɒlᵻˈmeɪʃn/, U.S. /ˌɔdəˌkɑləˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/, /ˌɔdoʊˌkɑləˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/, /ˌɑdəˌkɑləˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/, /ˌɑdoʊˌkɑləˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/ The procedure of passing a beam of light though a converging lens on to a plane surface that reflects it back the way it has come (initially as a parallel beam); the use of an autocollimator; an instance of this.The procedure is used for purposes such as ascertaining the angle of a reflecting surface and measuring the alignment of machine parts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical skills and techniques > [noun] > other techniques
collimation1687
autocollimation1870
neutralization1897
microprojection1904
Foucault method1923
orthostereoscopy1928
phase contrast1934
1870 Nature 10 Mar. 493/2 A note by M. A. Martin on Léon Foucault's [printed Foncault's] ‘method of autocollimation’ and its application to the investigation of parabolic mirrors.
1911 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) A. 210 1 Light..is directed by an autocollimation method, ensuring identity of path of the incident and reflected rays, normally upon two absolutely plane surfaces, arranged close together, and nearly, but not absolutely, parallel.
1969 J. Clendinning & J. G. Olliver Princ. & Use Surv. Instruments (ed. 3) iv. 144 Autocollimation may be applied to a variety of alignment and setting-out problems in industrial metrology.
1988 J. E. Hansen Spherical Near-field Antenna Measurem. v. 185 The optical axis..of the instrument is then set to the mean of the readings from the two autocollimations.
2007 D. Malacara et al. in D. Malacara Optical Shop Testing (ed. 3) xii. 443 (caption) Testing a lens by autocollimation against a flat mirror.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
<
n.1870