InGaAs PIN photodiodes
The G7871/G7871-02 InGaAs PIN photodiodes are high-speed receivers with a data-transfer rate of 1.25 Gbit/s designed for 1.3/1.55-µm-band optical fiber communications. The photodiodes have a dynamic range of -25 to -1 dBm, photosensitivity of 2.8 V/mW, rise time of 250 ps, and an active area of f0.08 mm. They are packaged in a TO-18 can. The G7871 has a flat window and the G7871-02 has a lens cover over the window for coupling to optical fiber. The G7871-02 has an integrated high-speed, high-sensitivity PIN photodiode with a transimpedance amplifier.
Hamamatsu, Bridgewater, NJ
Water to ambient air-cooling system
The Model 9842 water to ambient air-cooling system was designed as a compact, heat-transfer-efficient, drop-in cooling module for lasers. The system has a cooling performance of 20 W of dissipation for every one degree C of initial temperature differential between air entering and water entering the heat exchanger. Systems are available in either 110- or 220-V ac 50/60 Hz and have a dry weight of 10.9 kg.
Thermatron Engineering, Methuen, MA
Glass ferrules
Ferrules are now being manufactured from both fused silica and borosilicate glasses to specifications and tolerances needed for fiberoptic applications. Custom cutting, grinding, drilling, and beveling of parts for special connector applications are also available.
Wilmad-Labglass, Buena, NJ
Solid-state 488-nm laser for analytical instrumentation
The OPSL-488 is a prototype 488-nm solid-state optically pumped semiconductor laser for analytical instrumentation. It was designed as a compact, thermally efficient alternative to the 488-nm air-cooled argon-ion lasers that currently dominate this application. Expected output power is 20 mW at 488 nm with a TEM00 beam profile and optical noise level less than 1.0%.
Coherent, Santa Clara, CA
CCDs for high-speed applications
The S7960/S7961-1008 back-thinned FFT-CCD sensors employ a wide bandwidth on-chip amplifier and low-resistance metal interconnects. Designed to achieve a high frame rate, the CCDs offer a variety of applications, including spectroscopy, UV imaging, and use in optical and spectrophotometric analyzers. The CCDs have high quantum efficiency (QE) over the 200- to 1100-nm spectral range, with more than 90% QE from 600 to 700 nm. The S7961-1008 has a built-in peltier cooler for thermoelectric cooling.
Hamamatsu, Bridgewater, NJ
Dielectric coated off-axis paraboloids
A range of dielectric coated off-axis paraboloids has been developed to minimize distortion of the shape and duration of high-power femtosecond lasers. Applications include plasma physics, telecommunications, and laser manufacturing. Standard high-reflector-coated off-axis paraboloids of 60/150-, 75/150-, 100/150-, 125/300-mm-diameter/focal length as well as custom components are available. Using high-power femtosecond lasers operating between 750 to 850 nm, a typical dielectric coated off-axis paraboloid may be used up to power densities of 300 mJ/cm2 for continuous 50-fs pulses without damage.
Optical Surfaces, Surrey, England
Large-format sensor lenses and adapters
Specially designed adapters and large-format sensor lenses for DALSA, PerkinElmer, and various other large-aperture line-scan cameras have been designed for imaging applications that require a single focus adjustment and remain in a fixed position for an extended period. The focus unit provides a Leica adapter with an M 39 x 1/26-in. thread for the lens, and a 3.9 in. x 24 thread for attaching the system to the camera. Other sizes include 3.9, 3.5, or 3 in., and 72 mm. The focusing tube can be locked at any position with the counter ring. Flange focal distances range from 69.0 to 166.8 mm.
Rodenstock Precision Optics, Rockford, IL
Infrared polarizers
A series of infrared polarizers is available on a variety of substrates, including calcium fluoride, barium fluoride, zinc selenide, and KRS-5. The polarizers have 2400 grooves per mm and may be used in applications requiring performance beyond 30 µm (using KRS-5). An extended infrared range and high transmission and extinction ratios characterize the products.
Optometrics USA, Ayer, MA
3-D measurement system
The new Miniconoscan 3000 is designed for making accurate and repeatable noncontact 3-D measurements of metal, plastic, and rubber industrial molds, machined parts, and tools. Changing the lens on the probe can make measurements from submicron to 200 mm. Precision and repeatability greater than 1/8000 of the working range are possible. The system is collinear, allowing application in reverse engineering of both parts and molds as well as quality, maintenance, and repair of molds.
Optimet, Danvers, MA
Hand-held video inspection system
The InspectaCam IC-500 is a hand-held video inspection system designed to inspect objects not easily accessible using conventional microscope inspection. The system includes a self-illuminating camera with fingertip focus magnification range from 10x to 30x, 14-in. high-resolution monitor, and a quick-detach camera stand. An optional PC/video interface package enables capture of the high-resolution video image to desktop computers.
SMG Enterprises, Twain Harte, CA
Quartz and glass bulk fiber
A new bulk quartz polymer-clad silica (PCS) fiber has a hard coat cladding allowing 10% more illumination output than glass fibers across the visible range. The hard coat allows use in either single- or multistrand bundles. The quartz PCS fiber has high tensile strength enabling the fiber greater stability and durability. Applications include UV curing of adhesives and for crack detection using UV-activated dye penetrates. The new bulk glass fibers have borosilicate cladding for high temperature environments up to 1100°F for use in areas as combustion engineering. Light output from the glass fiber ranges from 400 to 2000 nm. PVC-covered monocoil protective sheathing and flexible interlocking stainless-steel sheathing are available for both fibers. Terminations are made of turned stainless steel, and custom configurations are available.
StockerYale, Salem, NH
Fiberoptic sample cell
The CUV-CCE chromatography and capillary electrophoresis sample cell has two solarization-resistant fibers to eliminate transmission problems and an on-line attachment to allow light to be projected through the sides of the tubing. It accommodates fused silica sample tubing up to 500 µm in diameter.
Ocean Optics, Dunedin, FL
Smart camera system
The new VC 2065 is a smart camera system with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels and more than 50 full frames per second. It has a Texas Instruments DSP processor with a 10-Mbyte flash ROM (expandable to 66 Mbytes), 16-Mbyte DRAM (expandable to 64 Mbytes), and an 8-bit graphical overlay. The VC 2065 offers optically isolated industrial I/O (eight 24-V inputs and one high-speed I/O 5 V) and an RS232 interface. The system measures 100 x 50 x 36 mm and weighs 250 g. It also has a real-time clock and temperature monitoring. Applications include profile analysis, automating alignment operations, component completion, measuring, and orientation.
Vision Components, Burlington, MA
Deep ultraviolet microscope
The DUV-250 is a deep ultraviolet microscope with 25,000x magnification and real-time quarter-micron resolution designed to fill a gap between visible light magnification and scanning electron microscopy. Using a broadband mercury arc lamp and optical configuration and components, the microscope offers a lower-cost method of ultrahigh-power magnification. Applications include semiconductor premanufacturing and failure analysis, photomask inspection, and mass-storage component examination.
TNP Instruments, Carson, CA
Dual precision counter/timer rate meter
The precision rate meter PRM-400 is a data acquisition system based on a dual counter timer with speeds more than 500 MHz. It has 2-ns pulse pair resolution, zero dead time counting, GPIB, parallel, RS-232 interface, and a time base or 10 µs to 10 s. Applications include photon counting, spectroscopy, and surface analysis.
Advanced Research Instruments, Wheat Ridge, CO
Integration support for line-scan camera
New FastSeries integration support for Basler-MVC's line-scan L301bc camera is now available. The FastFrame and FastImage 1300 framegrabbers, able to capture up to 64 bits of digital data with control and clock signals, were developed with 1300 FFGA PAL files and cables designed for integration to the L301bc camera. The camera and FastFrame or FastImage 1300 can be used for applications, including print and currency inspection, food processing, and lumber sorting and inspection.
Alacron, Nashua, NH
Power feedthru for laser tube applications
The new CT-series power feedthru, available in standard sizes from 0.250 to 0.625 in., is constructed with a high purity 95% Alumina (A12O3) ceramic insulator. The feedthrus are manufactured using high-temperature brazed materials able to withstand temperatures of 960°C and above, enabling the component to survive subsequent brazing operations. All feedthrus are 100% leak tested with helium.
Alberox, New Bedford, MA
Fiberoptic stripping tool
The Hot Stripper is a proprietary tool for stripping optical fibers without the use of hazardous chemicals to prepare them for splicing. The tool is packaged as part of the High Strength Kit, which includes an ultrasonic fiber cleaner, a cleaver, and an Ericsson 995 fusion splicer. Using the kit, the end-user can complete the entire preparation to splicing process without any contact with the fiber.
Amherst FiberOptics, Brentwood, TN
CW arc lamp power module
The Model 5901 CW Arc Lamp Power Module is designed to deliver up to 45 A of current into xenon or krypton arc lamps for solid-state laser applications. The module provides up to 6-kW average output power in a 8.05 x 4.85 x 4.14-in. package and weighs 4.5 lb. It is 90% efficient, drives lamp loads from 50 to 250 V, and provides a switched boost output. Over-current limit and over-temperature shutdown features are included.
Analog Modules, Longwood, FL
Tunable optical transmitter module
The VCSEL-based MetroFlex tunable optical transmitter module provides direct modulation up to 2.5 Gbits/s. The module integrates all necessary drivers, control ASIC, modulation and wavelength locking elements needed to incorporate the tunable VCSEL subsystem within optical equipment. Applications include wavelength-on-demand capabilities in reconfigurable OADMs, wavelength routers, and optical crossconnects.
Bandwidth9, Fremont, CA
Fiberoptic sensor
The new dual-output D10 Expert is a fiberoptic sensor with independently configurable setpoints enabling it to solve applications with less than 1% contrast. The sensor has a 16-bit microprocessor and TEACH mode programming, delivering 12-bit A/D resolution within a 300-mm range. The sensor is available with a choice of dual discrete outputs or single discrete output paired with a single 0- to 10-V dc voltage analog output and can be used to replace numerous other sensing devices.
Banner Engineering, Minneapolis, MN
Hand-held optical fiber identifier
A new hand-held optical fiber identifier has been introduced for determining signal power in decibels, the presence of specific modulated tones, and the direction of traffic through a fiber in the field. The product works with fibers carrying 800 to 1700 nm of light and is useful for measuring power loss through a fiber connector or splice. The identifier has a low dB loss of <0.6 at 1310 nm, uses a single 9-V alkaline battery, has detector sensitivity of -40 dBm, and core power reading of 0 to -40 dBm ±2 dB.
Edmund Industrial Optics, Barrington, NJ
Optoelectronic adhesives and coatings
The OPTOCAST family of adhesives and coatings contains a wide range of physical properties relevant to the assembly of fiberoptic devices. Refractive indexes range from 1.46 to 1.54, viscosities from 200 to 500,000 cps, CTE values as low as 12 ppm, shrinkage upon cure of <0.5%, and adhesion to a variety of substrates.
Electronic Materials, Breckenridge, CO
Fiberoptic green LED
The upgraded IF-E93 green LED has an optical output spectrum that peaks at 530 nm, mapping to the lowest attenuation window of PMMA plastic optical fiber. The LED is capable of distances of more than 150 m at data rates of 5 Mbit/s using standard 1-mm plastic fiber.
Industrial Fiber Optics, Tempe, AZ
Thermoelectric modules
Thermoelectric modules for optoelectronics are available, including a range of miniature modules manufactured in a variety of sizes for use with laser diodes and fiberoptic interconnects such as attenuators and amplifiers. Options available include high-temperature solders and aluminum nitride substrates for applications where extreme temperatures or thermal cycling are present, wire bondable gold-plated posts, and customized metallization patterns or bonding surfaces.
Ferrotec, Nashua, NH
DPSS pumping chamber
The RB-Series is a CW diode-pumped solid-state module for developing DPSS laser systems. The module delivers more than 75 W of CW power at 1064 nm. The RB-Series can be used to convert existing arc lamp-based laser cavities to a more compact, efficient DPSS design.
Cutting Edge Optronics, St. Charles, MO
Plastic infrared components
The new SME6700 and SMD6400 Series plastic emitters and detectors are low-cost, surface-mountable, unlensed infrared components designed for high-density placement by automatic machinery and are compatible with automated solder processes. Applications include optical encoding for motion control, storage, duplication, vending and point-of-sale applications, smoke detection, medical equipment, and steering-wheel and door-handle sensing.
Honeywell Sensing and Control, Freeport, IL
Hybrid fiberoptic photoelectric sensor
The FS-V10 Series of photoelectric fiberoptic sensor amplifiers has a dual-monitoring system with both digital and bar LED indicators to simplify setup and alignment. The system features both automatic and manual calibration modes and was designed to be used with Keyence's proprietary 20-bit concurrent processor chip combined with a 12-bit A/D converter.
Keyence, Woodcliff Lake, NJ
Laser temporal pulse stretcher
The Pulse Stretcher (LAI 101 PAL-PSTR) allows high-energy laser pulse duration to be continuously controllable from 0.1 to 10 µs using a proprietary optical feedback system. The device permits peak power to be varied at nearly constant pulse energy with pulse duration able to be continuously varied from about 100 ns to several microseconds. The pulse stretched 101 PAL can be configured to offer fiber-coupled outputs in the red and near UV with average powers of 0.5 and 1 W. Applications include delivery of high-pulse energies via fiberoptic without damage, optical fiber transmission, endoscopic medical applications, nonlinear optical processes, and others.
Light Age, Somerset, NJ
Optomechanical 3-D solid modeling software
A new version of TracePro optomechanical 3-D solid modeling software has been designed for lighting and backlight display analysis. A new RepTile feature allows the program to design and analyze an entire LCD backlight larger than 50 mm in a timely manner. RepTile uses a repetitive surface algorithm to create millions of conical bumps, dots, pyramids, brightness-enhancing films, and Fresnels on any planar surface. This allows the user to create complex models with reduction in model size and audit and ray-trace time compared to equivalent models with solid geometry.
Light Tec, Hyeres, France
Frame grabber
The Matrox Meteor-II/Camera Link is a high-speed digital interface designed for scientific and industrial imaging applications. It provides a standard connection to digital imaging devices using the Camera Link interface specification. Acquisition rates are up to 50 MHz and it has a 32-bit, 33-MHz PCI or bus master interface. The Matrox Meteor-II Camera Link supports one, two, or four tap monochrome, as well as component RGB, area or line scan video sources.
Matrox, Dorval, Que., Canada
Double monochromator
Double monochromators feature dual 350-mm focal length with f/4.8, ±0.07-nm accuracy in the visible, reproducibility of ±0.005 nm, and continuous stray light rejection of 10-9 to 10-10. Applications include Raman or photoluminescence, where Raleigh scatter must be suppressed to detect weak signal events, and source and detector standardization.
McPherson, Chelmsford, MA
Image acquisition plug-in board
Images with up to 1024 gray scales can be acquired using the new IMAQ PCI-1409 image acquisition plug-in board. The board has four video inputs and can acquire images from standard and nonstandard cameras. In StillColor mode, color images of stationary objects from NTSC, PAL, and RGB cameras can be acquired, as can color images from traditional monochrome hardware. The PCI-1409 can acquire images in 8- or 10-bit mode at rates of 60 frames/s using a double-speed progressive scan camera.
National Instruments, Austin, TX
Photoconductive optoelectronic detector
The P3MXP1039 silicon photoconductive optoelectronic detector offers 0.35 A/W at 650 nm, an active area of 1 mm2, and a dark current of less than 2 nA at 10 V. The new patented surface mount Optomite package has a PCB board footprint of 0.256-in. long, 0.160-in. wide, and 0.040-in. high. The detector was designed as an alternative to costly hermetic packages in fiberoptic network applications and for ambient light tracking in handheld appliances.
Microsemi, Santa Ana, CA
Thermopile surface-absorber head
The model L30A-10MM thermopile surface-absorber head was designed for CW or single-pulse measurement of laser power and energy. The head has a 26-mm aperture, 0.15- to 20-mm spectral range, power range of 80 mW to 30 W, and an energy range of 20 mJ to 60 J. The response time with a display is 1.5 s. Power accuracy is specified at ±3% (±1% with a CAL option). The heads are spectrally flat from .19 to 20 mm.
Ophir Optronics, Danvers, MA
Stabilized laser diodes
Stabilized laser diodes at 1323.1724 (OPTRA SLD-1323) and 1547.8254 nm (OPTRA SLD-1548) offer wavelengths that are locked to excited-state absorption lines in argon and krypton. The laser-diode wavelengths are stable to better than 1 part in 109 with a frequency stability as high as 20 kHz. The 1-mW outputs are transported on single-mode optical fiber with no frequency or amplitude modulation. The laser diodes were designed for use as absolute reference sources, long-range interferometry, and as master oscillators in DWDM applications.
Optra, Topsfield, MA
Alumina polishing abrasives
Meller Microlux Fine Alumina Abrasives are being offered in two grades. Microlux-R has 99.98% purity with large particles that start by grinding and lapping very aggressively and readily break down under pressure for final polishing and is designed for medium and hard optical materials. Microlux-RZ is 99.99% pure and deaglommerated with controlled particle sizes for fine grinding and uniform polishing and is designed for semi-soft crystalline and composite materials. Both are ready to mix with deionized water and are available in seven particle sizes from 0.05 to 3.0 mm.
Meller Optics, Providence, RI
Collimated lines
New collimated lines (versus fan lines which spread out) are used in saw devices, machine vision, and sample illumination. They eliminate the need for scanning hardware. Lines have Gaussian or near uniform profiles with line sizes from 6- to 18-mm length with narrow width. They are available from 635 to 850 nm up to 140 mW.
Micro Laser Systems, Garden Grove, CA
Deep-UV laser-ablation system
A new Nd:YAG deep-UV (213-nm) laser-ablation system, the UP-213, ablates all materials for ICP-OES and ICP-MS, including fragile and easily cleaved materials. It is designed for use with any ICP, noble-gas, or stable-isotope mass spectrometer for solid sampling of semiconductor, geological, biological, and environmental specimens. The standard configuration includes a high-magnification video system with computer-controlled zoom, and a quick-change sample cell holder as well as precision stages with submicron resolution that accept large format and specialized sample chambers. A software package is included.
New Wave Research, Fremont, CA
Environmental chamber-based laser-diode test systems
The ET-48 laser-diode test system allows users to subject complete packaged laser-diode assemblies, including output fibers and connectors, to a wide range of test temperatures while monitoring key operational test parameters. A computer-controlled environmental chamber combines modular fixtures designed for packaged or Chip on Submount (CoS) devices with high-volume airflow to ensure uniform temperature distribution within the test environment. Cooling options include closed-cycle refrigeration and liquid-nitrogen-based operation.
Racal Instruments, Irvine, CA
Laser light system
The P Series laser light system consists of the P200, with average power at 200 mW (180 to 280 mW), and the P500, with average power at 500 mW (480 to 650 mW). Specifications include a 1.5-mm beam diameter, .5 or 1.5 mrad beam divergence, 0 to 5 analog intensity control input, with capacity more than 10 kHz, 532-nm green laser light, and >80% of laser power in the TEM00 mode.
Pacific Microsystems, Singapore
Time-correlated single-photon counting system
The TimeHarp 100 PC-board is a fully integrated system for time-correlated single-photon counting on a single half-size PC board. The circuit allows measurement rates more than 2 Mcounts/s in continuous mode and provides a time resolution less than 40 ps. Programmable input triggers allow for various input signals from all common single-photon detectors. The system now supports all 32-bit Windows platforms, including ME and 2000.
PicoQuant, Berlin, Germany
Light- and color-measurement system
The ProMetric light- and color-measurement systems, designed for CCD photometry and colorimetry, consist of an 8- or 16-bit CCD camera and the ProMetric 5 Windows-based software for camera control and data analysis. Illuminance, luminance, luminous intensity, CIE chromaticity coordinates, and correlated color temperature at any data points can be determined.
Radiant Imaging, Duvall, WA
Lightweight aspheric and reflective optics
McPherson's Space Optics Research Laboratory division uses novel machining processes and precision post-etching and polishing of glass, Zerodur, and ceramic materials to produce lightweight aspheric and other reflective optics in sizes up to 1-m diameter with accuracies to 1/10lambda. These reflective instrument-system components are specially designed for spectral mapping and in-flight or satellite-bound telescopes and optics.
Space Optics Research Labs, Chelmsford, MA
Multifiber ribbon test system
The RIFOCS Ribbon Test System (RTS) performs return- and insertion-loss measurements on terminated fiberoptic-ribbon cables, MT-RJ patchcords, and other multifiber cables. The system, designed to obtain, record, and process measurement data and generate customized reports, uses fiberWORKS RTS software that controls the system hardware via a GPIB/IEEE-488 interface. Up to 64 fibers may be measured at one time, and different types of fibers may be measured simultaneously.
Rifocs, Camarillo, CA
Compact motorized-zoom beam expander
The Model 56C-30-2-8X compact motorized-zoom beam expander has a continuous expansion range of 2x to 8x, a maximum input aperture of 10 mm, an output aperture of 30 mm, wavefront distortion of <1/4 wave at 632.8 nm, usable wavelength range of 450 to 1100 nm, field of view of ±0.5°, transmission of >95%, and a damage threshold of 100 MW/cm. A serial interface with an RS-485 converter is included, and the system is Windows 95/NT/3.1-compatible.
Special Optics, Wharton, NJ
3-CCD color video camera
A new 3-CCD color video camera, the DXC-990 model, is designed for applications ranging from semiconductor inspection and industrial microscopy to printing inspection and scientific-imaging capture. The camera measures 2.76 x 2.83 x 4.84 mm and weighs 1.4 lb with a .5 in, 3-CCD sensor that incorporates Sony Exwave HAD technology to provide F.11 at 2000 lx sensitivity with very low smear. The DXC-990 also has 768 x 494 effective pixels with horizontal resolution of 850 TV lines and a 63-dB signal-to-noise ratio.
Sony Electronics, Park Ridge, NJ
Miniature spectrocolorimeter
Low-cost SpectroColorimeters have been introduced for measuring the colors of samples, including solids, liquids, and LEDs. The portable EPP2000C concave-grating model (190 to 850 nm) attaches to a computer's printer interface or the ISA2000 model (350 to 1150 nm) installs inside. Windows 9x/NT SpectraWiz software displays real-time CIELAB color measurements with actual spectra in the background.
StellarNet, Oldsmar, FL
Aluminum nitride substrates
Aluminum nitride (AlN) substrates are available in sizes up to 4.5-in. square or round and thicknesses from 0.003 to 0.100 in. The substrates are stocked-as-fired and may be lapped and polished with surface finishes from 0.5 to 20 microinches. AlN has a high thermal conductivity of 180 W/mK, excellent dielectric properties, and a low thermal expansion similar to silicon, making it useful as an electrically insulating nontoxic substrate material for hybrid-, power-, and microwave-electronics applications.
Valley Design, Westford, MA
266-nm CW diode-pumped solid-state laser
The Millennia UV is an all-solid-state, deep-UV (266-nm) CW laser designed for use in commercial and industrial applications, including fiber-Bragg-grating production, wafer inspection, PC-board inspection, and disk mastering. The Millennia UV is intended as an energy-efficient alternative to gas lasers.
Spectra-Physics, Mountain View, CA
Multimatrix bench-top spectrometer
The SpectroLab Jr. is a compact multimatrix bench-top spectrometer for common alloy and element analysis. The instrument uses CCD detector technology to provide full coverage of the required wavelength range.
Spectro Analytical Instruments, Fitchburg, MA
Color-keyed thixotropic epoxy adhesive
TRA-BOND FS443 is a fast heat-cure material with a high glass-transition temperature for durability at high temperatures. The adhesive was designed for bonding fiberoptic bundles, potting glass fibers, and terminating single- and multimode fiberoptic connectors. To aid in mixing, FS443 has a color-change chemistry that makes the material change from light yellow to green/blue upon mixing and then change to red/amber after cure. The adhesive is a low-stress, low-CTE material with high viscosity and a pot life of approximately 5 h.
Tra-Con, Bedford, MA