PI to demonstrate new PIC alignment system at Photonics West
The company says its ultra-compact precision alignment system features industry-leading scan and alignment routines, while its proprietary alignment algorithms offer the shortest first-light detection and signal optimisation times in the industry
Physik Instrumente (PI) has announced it will be demonstrating its new F-141 photonics alignment system at Photonics West later this month, which it says provides high throughput with motion in 4 and 6 degrees of freedom for industrial test and assembly of PICs. According to the company, the ultra-compact precision alignment system fits inside a space of around 5x7x4 inches (WxLxH) while providing 40 mm of XYZ travel and 12 degrees of rotation around the optical axis, ideal for array alignment. PI adds that direct drive motors provide high acceleration, speed, and resolution, along with excellent lifetime, while precision guidance is guaranteed by crossed-roller bearings and flexure guides.
In addition to the 2, 3 and 4-axis versions, an optional pitch/yaw module allows for full adjustment in all six degrees of freedom, and other configurations are available for applications with different optical axis orientations.
The system is controlled by an advanced multi-axis EtherCAT-based control system with rapid signal analysis for onboard machine learning. According to PI, sophisticated scan and alignment routines are embedded in the controller, offering improved performance and simple integration compared to software-based alignment algorithms running on the host computer.
Moreover, the company claims its proprietary alignment algorithms provide unparalleled performance with the shortest first-light detection and signal optimisation times in the industry – up to two orders of magnitude faster than conventional methods. PI says the system can manage all tasks in the field of photonics and fibre-optic alignment including simultaneous alignment in several degrees of freedom. The use of ultra-low noise electronics, PWM amplifiers, and onboard integrated 24-bit analogue inputs for the high-bandwidth optical power meter enable repeatable and stable optical signal coupling in a variety of environments, the company adds.
