Retroreflector target for laser ranging

Abstract

Retroreflective target for laser ranging embodying at least one hollow cube corner retroreflector constituted by three reflective surfaces which are substantially planar and perpendicular to each other and intersect at three edges which are substantially orthogonal and converge at an apex (S), the cube corner retroreflector being associated with a geometrical normal at the same angle to each of the edges, the target including a reference point (O) substantially on the normal on the opposite side to the reflective surfaces at a distance e..sqroot.3 from the apex (S), where e is the distance of this reference point from each of the surfaces, the target being characterized in that it has, facing each reflective surface, a parallel-sided plate (E1, E2, E3) which is transparent to the light to be retroreflected and made from a material having a known refractive index the plates (E1, E2, E3, CV) associated with the retroreflector having the same thickness e' such that, at least approximately: ##EQU1##