Geodimeter

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Operator controls and sight of a Geodimeter

The Geodimeter (acronym of geodetic distance meter) was the first optical electronic distance meter surveying instrument.[1][2] It was originally developed for measuring the speed of light.[3][4] It was invented in 1947 by Erik Osten Bergstrand [sv] and commercialized in 1953 by the AGA (Aktiebolaget Gasaccumulator) company of Sweden.[5][6] It was used in the Transcontinental Traverse.

Electronic mechanism

The mechanism uses a Kerr cell in an optical train that chops a collimated light beam under the control of a precision electronic oscillator in the megahertz range.[7] It is similar in principle to earlier mechanical choppers in Fizeau–Foucault apparatus that used a toothed wheel or a rotating mirror.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ Rüeger 2012, p. 15.
  2. ^ Bergstrand, Erik (2008). "Distance measuring by means of modulated light". Bulletin Géodésique. 24 (1): 243–249. doi:10.1007/BF02526937. ISSN 0007-4632. S2CID 121587208.
  3. ^ Froome & Essen 1969.
  4. ^ Bergstrand, Erik (1950). "Velocity of Light". Nature. 165 (4193). Springer Science and Business Media LLC: 405. doi:10.1038/165405a0. ISSN 0028-0836. S2CID 4281189.
  5. ^ Laurila 1960, p. 194.
  6. ^ "AGA Geodimeter". AGA Museum. 2014-10-03. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
  7. ^ Poling 1959.
  8. ^ "EDM (Geodimeter Model 2A)", Database: Physical Sciences Collection - Surveying and Geodesy, Smithsonian Institution, catalog number 1998.3094.01, retrieved 2018-05-02

Sources

Further reading

External links