NIR analyzer
The new AgriSpec is designed for field analysis of soils and vegetation. The rugged instrument analyzes organic and inorganic materials including nutrient and moisture levels in soil, composition of manure applied as fertilizer, animal forage, food products, wood products, paper, textiles and petrochemicals. It offers a full spectral range (350-2500 nm) and rapid data collection (1/10th second per spectrum).
Analytical Spectral Devices, Boulder, CO
Line-scan lenses
Three new 12k 5.6/120 line-scan lenses feature an image circle of up to 90 mm. They are optimized to provide optical resolution for the 7-µm pixel size capabilities of 12k cameras. Designed for surface and web inspection applications, the lenses are available in 0.5*, 0.75* and< 1:1 versions.
Schneider Optics, Bad Kreuznach, Germany
Color wheels
The ColorLoc family of color wheels and optical components are used in projection display systems. ColorLoc color wheels and filter wheels use proprietary Advanced Energetic Deposition (AED) thin-film deposition technology and custom automated assembly systems for brighter and purer color displays.
Bookham, San Jose, CA
Regenerative amplifier
The CPA-2210 is a 2-mJ femtosecond regenerative amplifier. The fully integrated system includes a telecom diode-pumped fiber oscillator, pulse stretcher, regenerative amplifier, 1-kHz Nd:YAG pump laser, built-in diagnostics and active hydrothermal stabilization. The unit has a user-adjustable repetition rate from 250 Hz to 2 kHz. It is suited for pumping OPAs and is optimized for ultrafast micromachining.
Clark-MXR, Dexter, MI
Linux driver library
The TimeHarp 200 TCSPC board now has a new driver library for custom programming to run the device under Linux 2.6. The library supports the same range of functions as the Windows version, including onboard histograms, multidetector routing with the PRT 400 router, and time-tagged, time-resolved mode with or without routing.
PicoQuant, Berlin, Germany
Laser illuminator
The Ultraspec-III coherent laser illumination source is designed for use with photoemission microscopes and backside imaging stations. The device comes in standard configuration with wavelengths at 660, 1064, and 1300 nm. The bench-top system is modular and can be retrofitted to most backside microscopes.
Ultra Tec, Santa Ana, CA
Beam profilers
LBA-FW laser-beam profilers use FireWire cameras that can connect directly to a laptop without a frame-grabber card. They are available in both pyroelectric and standard megapixel CCD cameras covering the spectral range from UV to far-IR. Cameras are either 12-bit or 14-bit digital. Multiple cameras can operate on one FireWire bus.
Spiricon, Logan, UT
Flexible optic
The Flexible Laser Optic for Welding (FLOW) is a 2-D scanning optic that allows 3-D robot-guided remote welding using standard high-power carbon dioxide lasers. The drive technology allows high-frequency weaving of standard copper mirrors for lasers even with output powers of more than 10 kW. The optic has integrated autofocus and uses physical beam steering.
Visotek, Plymouth, MI
Computational software
Mathematica 5.1 adds more than 50 new functions to the computational software, including universal database connectivity, highly optimized binary data I/O, new import-export formats such as XLS and AVI, integrated web services support, 2-D and 3-D automated network visualization, and numerical linear algebra performance enhancements. It is available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Unix, and other operating systems.
Wolfram Research, Champaign, IL
Laser interferometer
The DS-80 Micro Laser Interferometer provides a noncontact displacement sensor capable of resolution to 0.08 nm with maximum response of 50 Hz. It combines a Michelson interferometer with a 650-nm semiconductor laser in a package measuring 47 × 32 × 19 mm. Measuring range is ±50 µm. Linearity is better than ±0.02% of full scale.
Canon USA, Encoder Products Group, Lake Success, NY
Optical-power meters
The PM100 Series optical -power meters provide measurements in the 5-nW to 30-W range over a wavelength range of 250 to 600 nm. It offers a selection of separate photodiode and thermal sensor heads and the option of fiber connections. It includes an ergonomic keypad and a high-resolution LCD graphic display with four display modes.
Thorlabs, Karlsfeld, Germany
Broadband antireflection coatings
New broadband antireflection (BBAR) coatings for the VIS and NIR can be applied to lenses, windows and CCDs and to reduce second surface reflections. Model 450-650 BBAR has 450 to 650-nm optimization with ≤ 0.6% average reflection per surface. Model 400-700 BBAR is optimized for 400 to 700 nm and provides ≤ 0.8% average reflectance. Designs for other spectral regions are also available.
Acton Research, Acton, MA
Linear galvo-motor
The Galvoline GZ1920 is designed for high-speed applications including focusing compensation in fast scanning systems. The linear galvo-motor is made of a moving coil that allows up to a 20-mm free path. The compact unit can be integrated into any beam delivery system.
Crisel, Rockaway, NJ
Optical transmitter
The new AFBR-1010 fiberoptic transmitter and AFBR-2010 receiver offer an extended operating temperature range of -40ºC to +95ºC for use in automobile multimedia networks. The devices provide an optical link budget of 14.5 dB, operate at speeds up to 50 MBd and are compliant with Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) specifications.
Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, CA
Gradium lenses
Gradium lenses utilize advances in axial gradient glass manufacturing to improve lens performance. The index may change by as much as 0.15 from the front to the back lens surface. This allows for the correction of surface aberrations, especially spherical, for infinite and finite imaging applications. The lenses are suited for laser focusing applications, providing smaller spot sizes compared to standard PCX counterparts.
Edmund Industrial Optics, Barrington, NJ
VGD grating
The Variable Groove Depth (VGD) diffraction grating is a holographic ion-etched grating with a continuously variable groove depth. By translating the grating parallel to the groove direction, the variable groove depth enables continuous blaze adjustment when the VGD is illuminated with a narrow beam. VGD gratings are optimized for the new generation of synchrotron light sources.
Horiba Jobin Yvon, Edison, NJ
Hand-held test instruments
The 600 hand-held series includes the FOT-600 optical-loss test set, FPM-600 power meter, and FLS-600 light source. The instruments are designed for tasks including fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) deployment, CWDM and DWDM applications. The series can test passive optical networks (PONs) at 1310, 1490, and 1550 nm.
EXFO, Quebec City, Canada
X-ray source
The L9191 microfocus x-ray source has an open-type design, providing flexibility in adjusting the x-ray target. It is designed for use in nondestructive inspection applications, including x-ray CT systems and in-line x-ray inspections systems used to analyze electronic components and printed circuit boards. The source has a 1-mm spot size, delivering clear, detailed images.
Hamamatsu, Bridgewater, NJ
Single-photon detection module
The SPDM-VIS is a compact single-photon detection module. It offers a detection efficiency of up to 50% over a wide spectral range, dark-count rate of 200 Hz, and timing resolution of 50 ps. Applications include fluorescence and luminescence detection, TCPC, single-molecule detection, DNA sequencing, and decay and multiple decay time measurements.
id Quantique, Geneva Switzerland
Vibration-free platforms
BaseMate vibration-free Islands protect sensitive equipment from vibrations. The platforms are installed at the subfloor level in a raised-floor clean room. They offer omnidirectional, low-frequency vibration damping, and automatic leveling. A proprietary airmount system provides vertical isolation while a proprietary tri-filar pendulum assembly provides horizontal isolation.
Kinetic Systems, Boston, MA
Excimer lasers
The LPX-Pro Series lasers are high-duty-cycle excimer lasers with pulse repetition rates up to 200 Hz and pulse energies as high as 1200 mJ. The lasers feature patented smooth ceramic preionization. Other improvements include a new resonator design that uses fully purgable resonator optics, a new tube design for fluorine gas operation and an internal gas processor for extended gas lifetime.
Lambda Physik, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Simulation software
Release 1.3 of LucidShape with LucidFunGeo software is intended for automotive design and analysis. A new night drive scene simulator enables automotive headlamp designers to visualize the performance of headlights in simulated night scene. New bulbs have been added to the lamp catalogue including the S motorcycle series of bulbs, xenon lamps, and signal light series.
Lambda Research Group, Littleton, MA
Light rings with FSL
Micro-Lite FL-1000 and FV-1000 light rings for microscopes now feature Full Spectrum Lighting (FSL) bulbs as standard equipment. FSL bulbs contain the entire range of visible wavelengths, allowing a wider range of materials to be “seen” optically by the human eye when illuminated. FSL is ideal for the inspection of lead-free solder connections.
Micro-Lite, Three Rivers, MA
CMOS image sensor
The new MT9D011 low-power, 2-megapixel CMOS image sensor is designed to improve the image quality and performance of mobile handsets. Incorporating DigitalClarity technology, the 1/3-in. optical format sensor has 1600 × 1,200 active pixels. The sensor provides up to 15 frames/s at full resolution and 30 frames/s at 800 × 600 resolution. It has an electronic rolling shutter, global reset, and windowing.
Micron, Boise, ID
Laser-diode arrays
High-power laser-diode bars provide 100 W of optical output power at 95 A for a better than 50% electrical-to- optical conversion efficiency. Lifetime is more than 10,000 hours when operating CW or cycled randomly. The arrays are available with TE polarization at 940 nm. They can be provided with the bars on either a 1.6- or 2.1-mm vertical pitch.
Nuvonyx, St. Louis, MO
VCSEL
VCSELs (vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers) is packaged in an FC style receptacle and can transmit data at rates up to 2.5 Gbit/s. The transmitters are designed for integration into fiberoptic test equipment. An attenuation coating on the inside of the lens surface reflects approximately 40% of the light, reducing back reflection that occurs in short-run fiber connections commonly used in test equipment.
Optek, Carrollton, Texas
Two-axis scan head
The XLR8 two-axis scan head is designed for use with QuantumScan 7 galvanometers. The scan heads can be configured for different mirror apertures, scan angles, and wavelengths. They are available with digital and analog electrical interface options. Scanning applications include marking, engraving and cutting.
Nutfield Technologies, Windham, NH
Laser-diode modules
TTL modulation options are now available on all Photon PM and Photon Plus PPM laser modules with wavelengths from 635 to 785 nm and output powers from 0.9 to 32 mW. The TTL modulation input will accept signals from DC up to 100-kHz minimum. The laser modules are designed for laser-beam detection in high ambient lighting conditions, including security systems, safety barriers, industrial alignment, and positioning.
Photonics Products, Bishops Stortford, England
Video imaging system
The FASTCAM-X 1024 PCI is a PC-based high-speed video-imaging system that features full megapixel resolution up to 1000 frames/s. The system uses a 10-bit CMOS sensor with 17-µm square pixels. A global electronic shutter can operate down to 2 µs, for capture of high-speed events. It has 20 memory slots to store frequently used speed and resolution settings for future use.
Photron USA, San Diego, CA
Laser-diode module
The QPC fiber-coupled module uses a laser bar that provides a coupling efficiency down to 30-µm core sizes. The module provides an output power of more than 35-W CW using a 200-µm-core fiber at 20°C base temperature. Wavelengths of 808, 940, and 976.5 ±3 nm are available. Expected lifetime is 10,000 hours at 35 W.
Pro-Lite Technology, Cranfield, England
Nanopositioning stage
The new P-541 series nanopositioning scanning stages provide multi axis motion to 120 * 120 * 120 µm with resolution to 0.1 nm in a 16-mm-high package. A parallel-kinematics flexure guiding system provides friction-free motion with nanometer-precision trajectory control. An 80 * 80-mm aperture is suited for optical microscopy and inspection applications.
Physik Instrumente, Auburn, MA
Industrial interferometer
The TMS-300/320 TopCam is a white-light interferometer for online parts inspection and production/quality control. Designed as a compact industrial inspection system, the interferometer measures online flatness and topography. The unit combines telecentric imaging with a Michelson interferometer, scanning system, and a digital camera.
Polytec, Tustin, CA