We describe an autocollimating optical angle sensor with a dynamic range of 9 mrad and nrad/

$\sqrt{\textrm {Hz}}$
Hz sensitivity at frequencies from 5 mHz to 3 kHz. This work improves the standard multi-slit autocollimator design by adding two optical components, a reference mirror and a condensing lens. This autocollimator makes a differential measurement between a reference mirror and a target mirror, suppressing common-mode noise sources. The condensing lens reduces optical aberrations, increases intensity, and improves image quality. To further improve the stability of the device at low frequencies the body of the autocollimator is designed to reduce temperature variations and their effects. A new data processing technique was developed in order to suppress the effects of imperfections in the CCD.

1.
R. V.
Jones
,
J. Sci. Instrum.
38
,
37
(
1961
).
2.
S. E.
Pollack
,
S.
Schlamminger
, and
J. H.
Gundlach
,
Phys. Rev. Lett.
101
,
071101
(
2008
).
3.
G. L.
Smith
,
C. D.
Hoyle
,
J. H.
Gundlach
,
E. G.
Adelberger
,
B. R.
Heckel
, and
H. E.
Swanson
,
Phys. Rev. D
61
,
022001
(
1999
).
4.
R.
Cowsik
,
R.
Srinivasan
,
S.
Kasturirengan
,
A. S.
Kumar
, and
K.
Wagoner
,
Rev. Sci. Instrum.
78
,
035105
(
2007
).
5.
R. V.
Jones
,
Proc. Phys. Soc. B
64
,
469
(
1951
).
6.
R. V.
Jones
and
J. C. S.
Richards
,
J. Sci. Instrum.
36
,
90
(
1959
).
7.
K. J.
Habell
and
A.
Cox
,
Engineering Optics
(
Pitman & Sons
,
London
,
1948
).
8.
L. C.
Martin
,
Technical Optics
(
Pitman & Sons
,
London
,
1950
), Vol.
2
.
9.
D.
Malacara
and
B.
Thompson
,
Handbook of Optical Engineering
(
Marcel Dekker, Inc
,
New York
,
2001
).
10.
G. D.
Walter
and
W.
Vaughan
,
Handbook of Optics
(
McGraw-Hill Inc.
,
1978
), pp.
2
55
.
11.
K.
Li
,
C.
Kuang
, and
X.
Liu
,
Rev. Sci. Instrum.
84
,
015108
(
2013
).
12.
E.
Hecht
,
Optics
, 4th ed. (
Addison Wesley
,
San Francisco
,
2002
).
13.
M.
Galassi
,
J.
Davies
,
J.
Theiler
,
B.
Gough
,
G.
Jungman
,
P.
Alken
,
M.
Booth
, and
F.
Rossi
,
GNU Scientific Library: Reference Manual
,
version 1.12
(
Network Theory Ltd.
,
2009
).
You do not currently have access to this content.