Analysis of the Spatial Errors of the Scanning Mirrors in Complex Optical and Mechanical Systems

Abstract

In recent years, in order to improve the imaging performance of complex optical and mechanical components in complex working environments, scanning mirrors are used as main optical components that precisely control the direction of beam propagation. They can not only expand the range of photography, but also suppress the shift error caused by attitude changes. So scanning mirrors are widely used in the fields of aerial cameras, satellite remote sensing and military investigation. In the process of machining and assembling the scanning mirror platform, pointing error will be produced which directly affects the imaging quality of the camera which acquires the ground image by the reflection of the scanning mirrors. Taking the two-axis scanning mirror as an example, the global error model is established based on the homogeneous coordinate transformation theory. The simulation analysis is carried out to compare the influence of each error to the pointing error of the scanning mirror. In the process of designing and processing scanning mirror, the error items which have great influence to the pointing error of the scanning mirror should be strictly controlled or taken some corresponding measures. It is very important to improve the pointing accuracy of scanning mirror to enhance the imaging quality of the aerial camera.