Implementation of advanced alignment algorithms for high precision optical components

Nowadays the production of optical systems such as Optically Pumped Semiconductor Lasers (OPSL) is dominated by manual assembly operations. Automated solutions have been demonstrated in the recent past. Nevertheless, automated alignment processes do not occur in industry, as alignment tasks are complex leading to limited robustness, speed and reproducibility. Furthermore the implementation of automated assembly processes is connected to significant effort. The development of advanced alignment algorithms, easily implementable for an efficient setup of automation solutions is a potential answer to the economic challenges laser manufacturers are facing in laser setup development. In the course of the "SCALAB"-project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), a process development setup was developed. Research activities covered hardware, software and process development. This paper will describe the nature of two alignment process development appro aches to tackle these challenges, exemplary for the alignment of a resonator mirror (HR-mirror) utilizing a flexure based micromanipulator, a beam profiler and an optical power meter.