Tech Briefs Magazine - May 2022 - PIT-17

Reference Guide for MKS Instrument Component Selection in Fiber Alignment Systems
Research & Development Assembly/Production
Final Test
Laser Source
Motion
LDC3726 and LDM Mount LDC3908/LDC3916
Modular LD Controller
CONEX-TRA/CONEX-LTA
562 Manual Stages;
Ultra Align Precision XYZ
Stages
Laser Diode Tester
Power Detector
Power Meter
Wave Meter
Beam Profiler
Photoreceiver
Sentry Single Shelf LD
Tester Benchtop
3A-IS-IRG
818-SL/DB
StarBright Power Meter
1938-R Power Meter
OMM 6810 Power/
Wavelength Meter
LBP2
XC-130 Beam Profilers
N/A
XMS/VP/MLT Linear Stages
HXP50 Hexapod
N/A
PD300-IRG
918-IS-IG
Juno and 844-PE-USB
1830-R Power Meter
OMM 6810 Power/
Wavelength Meter
N/A
N/A
Table 1. MKS Instruments Components for Fiber Alignment Systems.
in a Cartesian coordinate system.
Hex apods are more compact than
stacked stages and capable of complex
combinations of linear and angular
motions useful for critical rotation
adjustments. Figure 4(e) shows MKS
Instruments' HXP50 hexapod. Hexapods
incorporate advanced innovations
that are advantageous in fiber
alignment applications.
MKS Instruments' hexapods employ
work and tool coordinate systems. These
are programmable coordinate systems,
shown in Figure 5(a), that enable independent
manipulation of the work (sample
or device) or tool (cutter or beam).
Using this system, the user can simply
send positioning commands in the Cartesian
coordinate system.
Hexapods can encounter difficulties
in scanning applications that require a
specific linear, rotational or arc path to
be followed. Figure 5(b) shows the motion
of a standard hexapod when commanded
to move from one point to
another in the X-axis (blue line). The
deviation from a straight line in the path
can be up to a millimeter. MKS Instruments'
hexapods use RightPath Trajectory
Control to minimize the run-out to
a couple of microns, enabling the hexapod
to more precisely follow specified
linear, rotational or arc trajectories.
And then there's HexaViz, free, downloadable
simulation software that allows
customers to simulate loads, motions
Photonics & Imaging Technology, May 2022
and potential collisions for all MKS
HXP hexapods.
Other Fiber Alignment System
Components
A complete fiber alignment system
consists of the receiver or transmitter device,
the device fixture or holder, a light
source, a motion control system, and ancillary
components. These latter components,
some detailed in Table 1, include:
* Detectors that measure beam power.
Coupled with a power meter, they
monitor the optical signal to determine
the highest transmitted power. A
beam profiler may also be needed to
characterize the shape of the beam.
* Power meters, matched with detectors
for the specific wavelength, the power
range measured, and a minimum data
transfer rate of 2 kHz for fast alignment
and productivity
* Vision systems that detect the proximity
of devices and the rough alignment
of fiber ends. A vision system allows a
very small gap, so that the fiber ends
are almost touching, maximizing the
transmitted power.
* Dispensing/bonding systems that dispense
an accurate volume of liquid
epoxy, apply it evenly over the interface
of two materials and cure it using
UV light.
* Laser welding that employs highly localized
heating to attach two parts together.
This is typically an automated
1784 VCSEL Fiber coupled
laser source
N/A
process used to attach the output fiber,
lenses and the laser diode in a package.
* Pick-and-place automation for high-volume,
high-speed production.
Conclusion
Sentinel LRS9434 with Burn-in
PD300-IRG
918-IS-IG
StarLite Power Meter
2938-R Power Meter
N/A
LBP2
XC-130 Beam Profilers
1544 High Speed
1474-A
Fast, accurate, and precise optical fiber
alignment is critically important to
the efficient operation of optical communication
networks.
Poorly aligned
junctions between fibers and between
fibers and optical devices result in excessive
signal losses in a network which, in
turn, results in higher equipment costs
to avoid excessive incidence of failure.
MKS Instruments' motion control components
enable optical fiber alignment
applications with accuracy and precision
requirements ranging from low
nanometer to sub-micron scale and with
throughput requirements ranging from
R&D to volume production.
This article was written by Beda Espinoza,
Senior Product Manager, MKS Instruments
(Irvine, CA). For more information, visit
http://info.hotims.com/82321-224.
Two Part EP38CL
* For bonding, sealing,
coating & encapsulating
* Outstanding toughness
* Resists thermal cycling
154 Hobart St., Hackensack, NJ 07601, USA
+1.201.343.8983 ∙ main@masterbond.com
www.masterbond.com
Free Info at http://info.hotims.com/82321-742
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4/19/22 9:12 AM
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