The point source microscope: a unique autocollimator

The Point Source Microscope (PSM) utilizes infinite conjugate optics internally. When the microscope objective is removed, the PSM is an autocollimator. Unlike conventional autocollimators, which use a reticle pattern for illumination, the PSM employs a single-mode fiber. The PSM camera captures a well-focused, circular return reflection when a perfect plane mirror is aligned perpendicular to the autocollimator’s axis. However, if the mirror has residual power, the return image appears slightly out of focus. Irregularities in the mirror produce a correspondingly irregular image. The point source illumination makes the autocollimator sensitive to grating patterns and cylindrical optics, things classical autocollimators cannot sense.