Active Alignment Systems and Tools for Photonics

Unique, easy-to-integrate subsystems for optics alignment and silicon photonics

PI provides a variety of innovative active optical alignment products from piezo-based scanners, motorized fiber positioners to high-throughput, automated sub-systems for applications in silicon-photonics (SiP), optics manufacturing, data communications, and for packaging-automation. High-performance controllers use firmware-based routines for simultaneous optimization of several inputs and outputs. Integrated routines make it possible to perform single-axis alignments up to complex, multi-axis fiber array positioning within the shortest possible time. All systems come with extensive software for easy setup and integration.

Fast Multi-Channel Photonics Alignment Systems

PI’s Fast Multi-Channel Photonics Alignment (FMPA) systems are based on a highly specialized digital motion controller (E-712) and a hybrid active alignment mechanism to achieve the required long travel ranges without sacrificing stability, resolution or alignment speed. FMPA is implemented in the E-712 controller’s modular firmware to enable fast, simultaneous alignment and tracking of multichannel couplings in multiple degrees of freedom. The efficient algorithms for first light detection, area scanning, and gradient search guarantee highest throughput in 24/7 operation.

F-712.HU1 Fast Multi-Channel Photonics Alignment System

System with 6 Degrees of Freedom for Aligning Fibers and Optical Components
  • Piezoversion
  • Very compact &amp
  • robust
  • High speed alignment
  • 5nm actuator resolution
  • Velocity to 20mm/sec

F-712.MA2 High-Precision Double-Sided Fiber Alignment System

Stacked Multi-Axis System for Aligning Fibers and Optical Components
  • Ultra-fast automatic alignment
  • Double sided
  • Automatic alignment in &lt
  • 0.5s
  • Integrated scan
  • Hybrid design

F-712.HA2 High-Precision Double-Sided Fiber Alignment System

System with 6 Degrees of Freedom for Aligning Fibers and Optical Components
  • Ultra-fast automatic alignment
  • Double sided
  • Hybrid design
  • Integrated scan routines
  • Automatic alignment in &lt
  • 0.5s

F-712.MA1 High-Precision Single-Sided Fiber Alignment System

Stacked Multi-Axis System for Aligning Fibers and Optical Components
  • Ultra-fast automatic alignment
  • Single sided
  • Automatic alignment in &lt
  • 0.2s
  • Integrated scan
  • Hybrid design

F-712.HA1 High-Precision Single-Sided Fiber Alignment System

System with 6 Degrees of Freedom for Aligning Fibers and Optical Components
  • Ultra-fast automatic alignment
  • Single sided
  • Hybrid design
  • Integrated scan routines
  • Automatic alignment in &lt
  • 0.2s
NEW

F-603.4x Fiber Holders for P-616

Accessories

Hexapods for Alignment

PI‘s hexapod-based photonics alignment systems provide 6 degrees of freedom motion. The hexapod controller has many built-in routines for commands finding first light and optimizing the alignment. An optional analog input can be used with optical power meters. The user-programmable pivot point is a significant advantage – it can be set to any location, for example the tip of a fiber, the waist of a beam or the surface of a SiP wafer.

Fast, Multi-Channel Gradient Search Routines

Firmware Functionality Provides Fast Optimization in Several Axes

H-811.F2 6-Axis Miniature Hexapod

Ideal for Fiber Alignment
  • Brushless DC motor
  • Incremental Rotation encoder
  • Very compact and robust
  • MiM 0.2/0.2/0.08µm

H-811.I2 6-Axis Miniature Hexapod

Fast, Compact, and Highly Precise
  • Range ±17/±16/±6.5mm
  • Rotation range ±10/±10/±21°
  • MiM 0.2/0.2/0.08µm
  • Load capacity 5kg
Hexapod Motion Controllers

Hexapod Motion Controllers

Modular Alignment Engines

Modular alignment engines are based on a combination of linear stages and goniometers for rotation. In the case of the F-131, a Piezo XYZ scanner is mounted on an XYZ motorized stage for long travel. The piezo scanner allows for ultra-fast scanning and alignment, or for mapping the output characteristics of an optical device in fractions of a second.

F-131 Powerful Fiber Alignment System

Ideal for Applications in Photonics
  • Ideal for Applications in Photonics
  • Long lifetime due to NanoCube®
  • Integrated sensor technology
  • Long travel ranges to 15mm
  • Inexpensive

Fast Multi-Axis Piezo Scanners Ideal for Tracking and Alignment

P-616 NanoCube® Nanopositioner

Compact Parallel-Kinematic Nanopositioner for Fiber Alignment and Scanning Microscopy

P-611.3 NanoCube® XYZ Nanopositioner

Compact Multi-Axis Piezo Positioner for Nanopositioning and Fiber Alignment

P-733.3 XYZ Piezo Nanopositioner

High-Precision XYZ Scanner with Aperture

Optical Power Meters, Photo Meters

NEW

F-712.IRP High-Resolution Photometer

For Optical Power Metering in Alignment Tasks
  • Optical power metering
  • Low Cost Version
  • High dynamic range
  • 400 -1550nm Wavelength
  • Logarithmic output

F-712.PM1 Optical Power Meter

Ideal for Applications in Silicon Photonics
  • Large signal bandwidt
  • High dynamic range
  • Wavelength range 400 to 1550nm
  • Current input range to 1mA
  • Logarithmic output

Technology

Applications

Downloads

Brochure

Overview: System Components for Automated, Fast Multi-DOF Alignment

Gain Reliability and Save Development and Process Time

Version / Date
2019-08
pdf - 3 MB
English
White Paper

Practical Examples of Parallel Alignment Automation

Version / Date
WP4010E 2018-04
pdf - 1 MB
Version / Date
WP4010CN 2018-12
pdf - 786 KB
Brochure

Alignment for Optics and Silicon Photonics

Fast Multi-Channel Photonic System

Version / Date
BRO57E 2017-10
pdf - 8 MB
Version / Date
BRO57CN 2018-11
pdf - 20 MB