IR and UV Optics
Edmund Optics (EO) (Barrington, NJ) has released Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) Wedged Windows, which are ideal for infrared (IR) applications, and TECHSPEC® Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) Aspheric Lenses, which have high transmission from ultraviolet (UV) to IR wavelengths. Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) Wedged Windows are designed for use with high-power CO2 laser systems and are available in two wedge angle options: 30 arcmin or 3°, which help to eliminate etalon fringe effects and prevent cavity feedback. TECHSPEC® Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) Aspheric Lenses have high transmission from 200nm (UV) to 7μm (IR). The low refractive index of calcium fluoride reduces Fresnel reflection loss without the use of anti-reflection (AR) coatings.
Optical Fiber Coating Measurement System
Developed by Arden Photonics (Solihull, UK), the FGC-P is a new fully automated system for directly measuring the geometry of optical fiber coatings. Able to measure fibers with coating diameters from 100 µm to 260 µm, the system is suitable for producing reliable, accurate measurements in production and R&D environments. Measurable parameters include coating diameter, coating non-circularity and coating-cladding concentricity in standard telecom fibers as well as in specialty products such as polarization maintaining (PM) fibers. Arden Photonics' novel liquid cell can handle thin fibers with dimensions down to 60 µm cladding / 100 µm coating, and layer thicknesses as small as 10 µm.
2D and 3D Measurement System
Exact Metrology (Brookfield, WI) now represents Planar from InspecVison. This 2D inspection machine allows manufacturers to verify product quality by performing 2D inspection, CAD comparisons and reverse engineering in seconds. Existing parts can be 2D reverse engineered quickly, creating dxf or dwg CAD files. Furthermore, reverse engineering processes can also be carried out in 3D using optional 3D modules. For full 3D capability, users simply add Opti-Scan 3D, while the SurfScan module extends Planar to 2.5D. Opti-Scan 3D is a non-contact white light scanning system that uses a high speed, high-resolution camera and an LED DLP projector to scan the surfaces of an object.
349nm Single Frequency Laser
UniKLasers Limited (Edinburgh, Scotland) has launched its new ultra-violet (UV) laser – The Duetto 349 – a single frequency DPSS CW device which emits at 349 nanometres (nm) with a 50 mW output – making it the world’s first laser to operate with single frequency at 349 nm. The Duetto 349 only uses one non-linear step, as opposed to two, without the need for a Nd:YAG fundamental laser at 1064nm, making it smaller and more efficient, overall, whereas HeCd – being a large, gas filled laser - produces an output at 325nm.