I'm glad Frollard clarified your description, Steve! Otherwise, I would have posted something highly sarcastic about linear Maxwell's equations and the inability of magnetic fields to affect the propagation of light.
It does make a lot of sense to use non-mechanical actuators to adjust the laser position. Much faster response and tighter control.
Yup, in conjunction with a small coil (electromagnet) the laser can be moved with insanely good precision - limited only by the accuracy of the circuit controlling the coil.
Comments
Best Answer 10 years ago
They are used to focus the laser
Answer 10 years ago
I'm glad Frollard clarified your description, Steve! Otherwise, I would have posted something highly sarcastic about linear Maxwell's equations and the inability of magnetic fields to affect the propagation of light.
It does make a lot of sense to use non-mechanical actuators to adjust the laser position. Much faster response and tighter control.
Answer 10 years ago
In the same spirit, I am honour bound to point out that moving a lens around has to count as mechanical actuation.....
Answer 10 years ago
:-D Yeah, yeah. Though using a non-contact method (magnets) is generally better than gears and levers.
Answer 10 years ago
....inability of magnetic fields to affect the propagation of light.
Faraday Effect
Answer 10 years ago
Ah, stupid me, making the spherical cow approximation again.
Answer 10 years ago
Yup, in conjunction with a small coil (electromagnet) the laser can be moved with insanely good precision - limited only by the accuracy of the circuit controlling the coil.
10 years ago
magnets and coils of wire = movement. L
Answer 10 years ago
Since we're on a picky kick today courtesy of Dr. K...magnets and coils = force. Movement is optional.
Answer 10 years ago
level 3 pickyness:
magnets and energised coils.
L
Answer 10 years ago
I'll see you and raise you to level 4. A shorted coil will also exhibit a force if moved.
Answer 10 years ago
you excite it with the magnetic-field, so technically it would still be energised/excited?
L
Answer 10 years ago
F = dp/dt = m dv/dt + v dm/dt. You could use force to change mass, but that's probably a lot more difficult than changing velocity :-)
Isn't pointless Talmudic debate fun?
Answer 10 years ago
Isn't it just ;-)