OPTOLINES
JOURNAL FOR PHOTONIC SOLUTIONS
OptiGrid – Structured Illumination Microscopy
An Accessible Alternative to Confocal Imaging
New: Shearplate-Interferometer
Laser beam collimation testing –
reliable results in seconds!
Synthetic resin in lightweight construction
Optical in-situ monitoring
New: 4-segment LED ring light:
RL4-S4 – Perfect contrast setting
and ideal object illumination
| Page 20
2
Editorial
Content
Innovas
Gold coating: New technique | 75th Annual
Meeting of the DPG and combined Spring
| Page 4
Basics | Innovas
Shearplate-Interferometer – Laser beam
collimation testing | New USB Controller
CF 30 | Beam-splitter cubes for near-infrared
| Page 6
Dear Readers,
International trade shows are rewarding opportunities for connecting with
people; in fact, personal contact with
customers is at least as important as
the success of the show. Trade shows
also serve as economic indicators: We
were relieved to find out that the US
economy has overcome the crisis.
Photonics West was a stunning success for both the community and the
industry. On the first day alone we
generated more customer leads than
during the entire show last year –
and all were of high quality. We had
substantial discussions with some
100 industry customers, and were
pleased to note that our products and
solutions are perfectly attuned to the
needs of their market sectors.
Qioptiq has guided many a product
from innovation to marketability. A
selection of these products will be
presented in this issue of Optolines.
We want to thank all of our guest
authors from science and industry for
their valuable contributions.
Maybe we will see you at the major
DPG conference in Dresden, or perhaps at the Laser World of Photonics
in Munich? Let me be the first to
cordially invite you to visit our exhibits
and our booth!
Best regards,
Dr. Mario Ledig, Vice President
of Technology, Qioptiq
Innovas
New focus-variable lenses – Production
optimized: Price of Optotune lenses reduced
| Quality control for technical medical products – Reliable measurement, secure
documentation | Page 9
Innovas | Applications
Lenses for the world’s smallest camera –
Journey inside the human body | Synthetic
resin in lightweight construction –
Optical in-situ monitoringa | Page 11
Applications
NANO 250 laser modules: Precise control
made easy – New remote control unit | An
Accessible Alternative to Confocal Imaging
| Page 15
Innovas
LED cold light source: CLS-LED USB – External
control using ”e-Light” | New 4-segment LED
ring light: RL4-S4 – Perfect contrast setting
and ideal object illumination | Page 19
Service | Specials
Powerful optical analysis software – Powerful
optical analysis software TracePro® training
courses | Page 21
Basics | Qioptiq live
Lightweight mirrors for space telescopes
– Materials, designs and manufacturing
methods | Review Photonics West | Schedule
of trade fairs 2011 | Recommended reading |
Imprint | Page 22
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Insight
Qioptiq invests in coating technology
Qioptiq is strengthening its core competency in coatings at its Göttingen location, as
well as expanding the infrastructure. This
expansion is focused around the acquisition
of a new ion beam sputtering system. This
is a high-precision coating technology that
makes it possible to apply homogeneous
and compact coatings with excellent reproducibility, including highly complex mirror
and filter coatings. The new system can
produce reflective coatings that achieve
nearly 100% reflectivity. The system was
put into operation in December 2010.
Investment in cleanroom technology
Qioptiq made further investments in its
cleanroom assembly division, to optimize
both production processes and quality
assurance. Furthermore, this specialist in
photonics has invested in a special cleaning technique for optical elements that
further improves environmental protection
and occupational safety while at the same
time significantly increases the quality of
the cleaning process.
In addition to developing optical systems,
the Göttingen location specializes in coatings for optical components that are integrated in systems in a broad variety of
application areas. Qioptiq supplies highprecision coatings for head-up displays
and for the semiconductor industry, to
name just two examples.
Ion beam sputtering system presented at a press conference in Göttingen; standing: Volker Brockmeyer, Qioptiq Executive Vice President.
Integrated degree program: Students at Qioptiq
Qioptiq’s integrated degree program
combines in-house training with studies
in the Natural Sciences and Technology Department at the University of
Applied Sciences and Arts (Hochschule
für angewandte Wissenschaft und
Kunst, or HAWK) in Göttingen. Currently four Qioptiq students are taking
part in this proven model for engineering science studies. The program has
already helped many to obtain a degree
that practically guarantees good career
opportunities. One major advantage is
that students have close, continual contact
with both the university and the company
from a very early stage. The combination
of hands-on training with an academic
program creates result-oriented, industrysavvy engineers who work well in teams.
www.hawk-hhg.de/index_en.php
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Success with Qioptiq: Integrated degree program with R&D head Thomas Thöniß (2nd from r.)
and Jasmin Gleitze, Lars Andreae, Björn Winkelbach and Anne Ledebuhr (l. to r.).
3
4
Innovas
Excellent product and environmental properties
Gold coating: New technique
Coatings for applications in the near- and mid-infrared spectral ranges have been a core competency at Qioptiq
in Göttingen for more than 40 years with a main focus on the gold coating. Now, Qioptiq has developed a new
gold coating technique that significantly improves both the product properties and the environmental properties of the gold layer.
ing, which becomes necessary when the
element is exposed to dirt. Since gold is
naturally a very soft material, such wear
rapidly leads to visible damage, or even
to destruction or detachment of the
coating. This has made it impossible to
fully meet the combined requirements
of abrasion resistance, high reflectivity, weather resilience and adhesion
strength – until now.
Mirror with gold coating.
The exceptional characteristic of gold
is its extremely high reflectivity: Ravg
>98% above 2 µm, a level not attained
by any other material. Gold coatings are
found primarily on optical elements used
in astronomy, security technology, surveillance
and in military applications. With so many different areas of application, gold coatings can be
subjected to any of a range of extreme
ambient conditions, such as the high
humidity at high temperatures found in
tropical regions, or extreme temperature
fluctuation. Another potential source of
wear on the coating’s surface is clean-
New technique developed
Qioptiq has developed a new coating
technique that enables full conformity
with the stringent environmental stability requirements for gold coatings. One
technique for increasing environmental
stability is to protect the metal with a
thin dielectric coating. To preserve the
advantage of high reflectivity provided by a gold coating, however, it was
essential to ensure adequate transparency of the dielectric material in the IR
range when developing a suitable meth-
Standard test method
Gold coating damaged during environmental testing.
Properties
Verified in accordance with
Abrasion resistance
MIL-M-13508C, 4.4.5 and DIN-ISO 9211-4-01-01
Adhesion strength
MIL-M-13508C, 4.4.6 and DIN-ISO 9211-4-02-01
Thermal shock resistance
MIL-M-13508C, 4.4.4 and DIN-ISO 9022-14-09-1
Solvent and cleaning resistance
MIL-F-48616, 4.6.9.2 and DIN-ISO 9211-3-12-3
Water solubility
MIL-F-48616, 4.6.10.3 and DIN-ISO 9022-4-04-02
Damp heat
MIL-C-48497, 4.4.6 and DIN-ISO 9022-12-07-1
Environmental properties of the new gold coating from Qioptiq.
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Innovas
Gold-coated prism system for
infrared applications.
od for combining the gold layer with the
protective dielectric coating. Alongside
the production process and good control
of the process parameters, this is essential for high reflectivity values.
Environmental stability assured
The new coating developed in the Coating Center at Qioptiq in Göttingen
meets the requirements for environmental stability listed in the table above. This
has been demonstrated in accordance
with standard test methods, which were
applied to various batches of gold coating material on a variety of substrate
materials including B270, N-FK5 and
diamond-turned and diamond-milled
aluminum.
Contact: Wolfgang Wilhelm
wolfgang.wilhelm@qioptiq.de
Comparison of gold coating reflectivity values at
various angles of incidence.
75th Annual Meeting of the DPG and combined Spring
Meeting of the Condensed Matter (SKM) and AMOP (S-AMOP) sections
The Spring Meeting of the German
Physics Society (Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e.V., or DPG) was
held once again in the familiar surroundings of the lecture hall center at
the Dresden University of Technology.
No 26 | 2011 optolines
The DPG meetings address young
physicists in particular and other
experts in the field, as well as students.
This year, some 7500 participants were
expected. As in previous years there
was a parallel industrial exhibition and
book fair, where Qioptiq once again
showed its products. Visitors had a
chance to see first-hand the innovations presented in this issue of Optolines, and also got a general overview
of our extensive range of optomechanical products.
5
6
Basics
Laser beam collimation testing:
reliable results in seconds!
New: Shearplate-Interferometer
For fast collimation testing of laser beams under laboratory conditions, Qioptiq offers a new, compact Shearplate-Interferometer that delivers outstanding value for money. Even under unfavorable ambient conditions
– whether vibration, dirt, or temperature fluctuations – it provides fast, reliable results with certified, consistent quality.
Wedge-shaped shear plates are used
to check the collimation of a laser light
beam. In the case of an ideally collimated light beam, a smooth wave front is
incident on the wedge plate and parallel
interference fringes perpendicular to the
wedge are formed. This is indicated by a
reference band on the observation plane
(Fig. 3). With this technique, for example,
expansion systems can be adjusted for
reproducible collimation [1].
Fig. 1: Reliable measurement results, outstanding value for money: the new ShearplateInterferometer.
When expanded laser beams are used
in the laboratory, the quality of the laser
beam collimation is crucial for the application; in particular when collimated
laser light serves as a solid measure. Collimation can be checked using applicable
metrology devices, such as a Shack-Hartmann sensor (see the article beginning
on page 22 in this issue of Optolines).
Shearplate-Interferometers (see Fig. 1)
offer an interesting and, moreover, economical alternative.
Principles of Shear Plate
Interferometry
Shearplate-Interferometers are based on
the principle of superimposing a wave
front on itself. The light beam being
tested is split into two waves which are
shifted laterally to one another, producing the shear. The division and shifting of the wave fronts is a result of the
reflectivity on the two surfaces of an extremely flat plate, called the shear plate.
The two partial waves interfere in the
overlap area (Fig. 2). The original wave
front can be derived from the resulting
interferogram.
Evaluating the tilt angle
If the expansion system is not aligned
properly – it shows either a positive or
negative focusing effect – the interference fringes tilt clockwise (negative) or
counter-clockwise (positive). This effect
can be evaluated quantitatively. Using
the tilt angle of the interference fringes,
the radius of curvature of the incident
wave front, R, can be derived with the
following equation:
Many assembly options
The interference fringes are easy to
evaluate visually on the integrated
dispersion plate. A reference band
is embedded in the plate to detect
the tilt angle of the fringes. Qioptiq
Shearplate-Interferometers are available in three different models, each
optimized for a different beam-diame-
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Basics
Fig. 3: Interfere.nce pattern of a collimated
laser beam
Fig. 2: Operating principle of the Shear Plate
Interferometer.
ter range between 1 mm and 25 mm:
1 mm to 3 mm
3 mm to 8 mm
8 mm to 25 mm
Moreover, these Shearplate-Interferometers are designed with flexible mounting options for trouble-free integration
in highly individual optical assemblies.
They are compatible out-of-the-box with
Qioptiq Rail and Column systems, and
adapter plates can be ordered separately
for mounting the Shearplate-Interferometer in other systems. Bore holes for versatile mounting options are a standard
feature of the interferometer housing.
Mounting compatibilities
Microbench compatibility: use
Mounting Plate 25 with Mounting
Holes (G061041000)
Tube-C system compatibility: use
C-Mount/Microbench Adapter
(G061659000)
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Applications and typical accuracies
Shearplate-Interferometers are primarily used for testing the collimation of
laser beams. With a beam diameter of
25 mm, collimation can be determined
with a precision of 50 µrad. Because it
can determine the radius of curvature of
the wave front, the Shear Plate Interferometer can also be used to determine
the focal length of weakly focused optical systems, or to determine the radius
of curvature of weakly focused convex
and concave mirrors in the range above
8 m. For example, using a Shear Plate
Interferometer and an expanded 25 mm
laser beam, the radius of curvature of a
45 m mirror can be determined with a
precision of +/- 3 % by reading off the
relevant parameters, given in the equation above.
results for beam diameters of 1 mm to
25 mm in Vis-NIR spectra
Determination of wave front radius of
curvature opens up a wide range of
application areas
Adapter plates available for a broad
variety of assembly options
Robust design thanks to common
path interferometry and an operating
principle without electronic parts
[1] Malacara, D.; Optical Shop Testing.
Third Edition Wiley-Interscience Publication New York 2007
Author: Jan-Martin Heidrich
Qioptiq Göttingen
Other applications and
typical accuracies
Refractive index determination of
10 mm thick plane-parallel plates to
+/- 0.001
Focal length determination of lenses/
mirrors to +/- 0.03 %
Tested by MPI in Göttingen
A prototype of the Shear Plate Interferometer (Fig. 1) has already been used
at the Max Planck Institute, where it
was employed in the Nano-Biophotonics
Department for measurement tasks in
connection with 4Pi microscopy.
Focus on the Qioptiq ShearplateInterferometer
Optimum collimation determination;
three models to provide immediate
S
Φ
df
Fig. 4: Example of tilt in the interference fringes.
7
8
Innovas
New USB Controller CF 30
Compact solution:
New USB Controller
CF 30.
Positioning movement now
smoother than ever
Piezoelectric inertial drives make precise positioning easier than ever before. Thanks to the incremental drive
principle, positioners can be adjusted in the millimeter range with precision in the nanometer range. Spacesaving and efficient drive engineering has produced extremely compact solutions for a variety of positioning
tasks. And now a new USB controller enables even smaller steps, as well as simultaneous movement along
three axes.
The new USB Controller CF 30 makes it
possible to adjust micropositioning elements from Qioptiq, such as the MS 30
series positioners with piezoelectric inertial drive, more smoothly and precisely
than ever. It connects to the computer’s
USB 2.0 interface and operates in the microstep range. For this, the full step voltage (familiar from Manual Control Unit
CN 30) is digitally divided into 64 stages,
enabling a step size of < 10 nm. Only
every 64th step is held without power,
however, and at that step the controller
can be disconnected from the computer
without causing any change in the position of the micropositioner. A separate
power supply unit, included in delivery, is
connected to supply the CF 30 Controller with sufficient power for simultaneous
operation of all three axes.
Furthermore, the USB Controller CF 30
offers a ramp function that can be used to
minimize the reverse motion of the sliding
carriage when a full step is taken, as well
as to adapt the load ratio. The result is a
more uniformly shaped motion sequence.
The USB Controller CF 30 can be connected to a computer running a 32-bit
operating system or the 64-bit version of
Windows Vista or Windows 7. It is also
compatible with Linux operating systems.
Other software utilities included in
delivery are drivers and interfaces for
LabView and MathLab.
New in the Qioptiq product line
Beam-splitter cubes for near-infrared
Effective immediately, the proven beam-splitter cubes with edge lengths from 5 mm to 40 mm are also
available in a version for the near-infrared range.
These economical and high-quality optics for low laser output are ideal for
splitting and combining light beams
and, unlike beam-splitter plates, do not
cause any deflection of the beam. The
layered design of this cube, available
through the LINOS catalog, is optimized
for the wavelength range from 750 nm
to 1200 nm. On request the coating can
be adapted to individual requirements in
the range from 700 nm to 2000 nm and
for various directions of polarization. In
addition to the standard 50:50 split, customized versions with division ratios of
40:60, 20:80 and 10:90 can be supplied
on short notice.
NIR beam-splitter cube.
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Innovas
Save up
to 40%!
Production optimized: Price of Optotune lenses reduced
New focus-variable lenses
The Optotune family of focus-variablelenses has a new member: in addition to the familiar electronically
controlled lens with a focal length range of +15 mm to +50 mm, a new variant with a focal length range of
+30 mm to +100 mm is available starting immediately.
The focus-variable lenses from Optotune
are manufactured from elastic polymers
and have unique properties: The lens
shape can be changed from convex to
concave mechanically or electronically.
The variable focal length of these innovative spherical lenses enables the design
of very compact optical systems. Optotune lenses are available in versions for
the visible spectral range of 400 nm to
700 nm as well as for the near-infrared
range from 700 nm to 1100 nm. Thanks
to optimized production methods,
all lenses from Optotune can now be
offered at savings of up to 40 percent.
Prices range from 150 euros for the lens
with mechanical focal length adjustment to 300 euros for the electronically
adjusted NIR variants.
Easy to integrate in optical designs
The focal lengths can be adjusted within
a few millimeters, and the aperture is
10 mm. Thanks to their good optical
The electronically controlled EL-10-30 lens and the ML-20-35 mechanical lens are both available from Qioptiq.
properties, these lenses are ideally suited
to be used both in compact imaging systems and in illumination systems, such
as LED-based systems. They can easily be
controlled electronically and integrated
in optical designs.
in your optics, or are interested in a complete OEM optics design with a focusvariable lens, contact us to talk about
your options!
If you would like expert consultation or
other support in integrating these lenses
Contact: Wolfgang Wilhelm
wolfgang.wilhelm@qioptiq.de
Focus-variable lenses from Optotune
Designation
Adjustment
ML-20-35 VIS HR
Mechanical
Focal length range
Order number
Price* in euros
-40 to +40 mm
G39 9551 000
150.00
EL-10-30 VIS HR
EL-10-30 VIS LD
Electronic
+15 to +50 mm
G39 9552 000
250.00
Electronic
+30 to +100 mm
G39 9553 000
250.00
EL-10-30 NIR LD
Electronic
+30 to +100 mm
G39 9554 000
300.00
*Sales tax not included; prices valid only in Germany and Austria.
No 26 | 2011 optolines
9
10
Innovas
Quality control for technical medical products
Reliable measurement, secure
documentation
The Fetura VMS optical coordinate measurement system is designed for fast and efficient testing of medical
products and supplies. Important quality-related data are collected and documented automatically and extensively, with unbeatable speed and precision. These excellent quality-assurance characteristics make Fetura
unique among metrological instruments.
The new FETURATM Vision Metrology
System from Qioptiq excels in the optical metrology market with its highquality design. We have been supplying high precision optics for machine
vision, quality control and inspection
applications for nearly 120 years.
Now, we’ve taken that expertise,
coupled it with cutting-edge technology and innovative designs, and
developed a unique system that integrates state-of-the-art components
to deliver outstanding productivity,
flexibility, and precision.
Image acquisition with ring light illumination to test medical products with the Fetura – now
with long-term storage of measurement results.
Qioptiq has developed new methods and
designs to give customers the maximum
possible flexibility in generating measurement results. Using the Visual Basic
programming language in the Fetura
coordinate measurement machine is yet
another example of built-in versatility.
All the standard functions of the metrology software are available to the user,
while at the same time equipment operators have the option of writing their
own scripts. This makes it easy to meet
customers’ individual requirements with
regard to data storage and documentation. Thanks to sophisticated interfaces
and use of the latest object-oriented development tools, the system can easily be
combined with applications from other
manufacturers. All of the measurement
data created are stored as objects and
can be loaded in other applications for
processing. Moreover, no modifications
are required for implementing existing
user interfaces. The test specifications
automatically produced by the script generator can document the entire process
sequence – this feature is especially useful when the system is used in automated
work shifts.
Focus on Fetura
Multi-sensor design, zoom optics,
lasers and 3D scanners open up a
wide range of application areas
Rapid and extensive collection of
quality-related data
Open to customization thanks to
state-of-the-art object-oriented
development platform
Upgradeable to meet future
requirements
Economical purchase price means
fast ROI
Contact: Robert Wegard
robert.wegard@qioptiq.de
Fetura with Visual Basic programming.
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Innovas
Lenses for the world’s smallest camera
Journey inside the human body
For more than 10 years Qioptiq has been developing and manufacturing high-resolution “chip-on-the-tip” lenses for the use in flexible endoscopes. In cooperation with a long-time partner, Qioptiq has now created and
produced a number of different lenses, each with an outer diameter of 1.2 mm, for the world’s smallest camera.
When it was introduced at the OPTATEC
2010, the mini-chip lens generated
considerable interest among potential
customers.
Looking at internal organs
The tiny camera lets doctors take a
virtual voyage into the human body to
observe living, functioning organs – and
sometimes to pinpoint the source of
problems, e.g. such instruments can be
used to document how blood enters and
Camera unit
System components 1.2 mm camera head
with lens, plus video
processing unit
Image sensor
CMOS
Effective pixels
49,280
Resolution
220 H x 224 V
Video signal
NTSC or PAL
System functions
Gain, white balance,
automatic gain control,
red/blue enhancement,
zoom, brightness
Power supply
AC 100-240 V,
50/60 Hz
Aperture angle
100° or 130°
Unbeatably small and efficient: the smallest camera in the world.
leaves the heart. For this, an endoscope
with a camera travels directly through
blood vessels into the heart and supplies
a live image. The smallest camera in the
world offers a broad array of medical
possibilities, from facilitating the diagnostic process to improving precision in
surgery. What previously had been hidden from the doctor’s searching eye is
now vividly revealed.
areas offered only limited possibilities in
such dimensions up to now. In the medical field, the camera can be integrated
directly in flexible or rigid endoscopes.
Contact: Yvonne Franz
yvonne.franz@de.qioptiq.com
Dimensions: Camera head
Shape
Round
Outer diameter
1.2 mm
Length
5 mm
Camera cable length Up to 3 meters
Dimensions: Video processing unit
Width
300 mm
Height
70 mm
Depth
250 mm
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Other areas of application
There is an extensive range of application areas in which the miniature camera
can be put to use. Thanks to its ultracompact design, the system is universally
adaptable for use in industry.
Great potential is seen in such areas as
machine vision, image processing and inspection systems – up to now, all of these
Dimensions of the camera.
11
12
Applications
Synthetic resin in lightweight construction
Optical in-situ monitoring
Monitoring and measuring applied loads in highly stressed lightweight construction systems made of fiberreinforced plastics (FRP) calls for reliable and adaptable technology. Optical measuring techniques in particular become more important in this field. An economical and versatile solution is created by using the very
materials from which the product is made – such as the epoxy resin used in lightweight structures – as
photoelastic in-situ measuring equipment.
Lightweight construction with fiber-reinforced plastics is being pushed in industrial production for the design of highly
stressed systems. Examples can be found
in the aerospace industry, motor sports
and in the rotor technology employed in
wind turbine generator systems. These
developments are accompanied by an
increased demand for in-situ monitoring of the pertinent characteristics in
stress situations. In addition to classic
stress measurement techniques such as
electromechanical pressure sensors and
strain gauges, optical sensors are rapidly
gaining in importance for many such
applications.
“Quasi-waveguide”
An extremely economical and versatile
measurement method can be implemented by using the very material that the
test piece is made of, or components
of the material, as an optical measuring
device. A simple approach for measuring
the load case is to analyze variations in
the polarization state of light as a consequence of stress-induced birefringence
in the material. Epoxy resin, the matrix
material in fiber-reinforced plastics, generally has the high transparency required
for use as an optical sensor and exhibits a
pronounced stress birefringence even at
low mechanical loads. Using the epoxy
resin component of the fiber-reinforced
material as a “quasi-waveguide” for
linear polarized laser light, the load case
of a construction element can be monitored over a given surface area. The
primary focus of this monitoring is not
on the measurement of minor stressdependent variations of the resulting
polarization state, but rather on monitoring significant variations in this variable
Resin
Epoxy resin,
crystal clear
Araldite
Hardness,
HB
1.75
Elasticity
module
3300
186.2
4500
Fig. 1: Schematic test setup: a) supercontinuum source (fiberware I-LUM100, fiberware),
b) polarizer, c) test machine, d) sample with irradiation point in the homogeneous load
distribution range, e) analyzer, f) spectroscope.
Fig. 2: Experimental setup in the load
assembly with A) supercontinuum source
(I-LUM100, fiberware), b) optical bench,
c) test machine (Instron 4505, Instron
Ltd.), d) spectroscope.
over time as a consequence of extreme
stresses or material failures.
Testing raw materials
To analyze principle dependencies, the
first step was a photoelastic examination
of two selected epoxy resins in monolithic form within the visible wavelength
range. Figure 1 is a diagram of the
experimental setup, and Figure 2 shows
the integration of the setup in a commercial stress-measurement assembly.
The white light source and spectrometer in the experimental setup enable
broadband monitoring for evaluation of
wavelength-selective effects. The light
source is a supercontinuum source with
a microchip laser-pumped photonic crystal fiber (I-LUM 100, fiberware).
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Applications
testing show a significant dependence
on the working wavelength. Figure 4
depicts stress relaxation over time at a
wavelength of 750 nm, and shows that
relaxation times can range from seconds
(Araldite) to minutes (epoxy resin, crystal
clear).
Fig. 3: Load-dependent static measurement signal as a function of the measured wavelength.
The load-dependent properties of the
test piece are clearly subdivided into
two ranges. In the lower load range (less
than 0.5 MPa), the signal amplitude is
low and exhibits only very weak dependence on load and wavelength. In the
upper load range, on the other hand, the
signal amplitude alternates strongly with
the load and shows distinct wavelength
dependence. Stress-induced modulation
of the measurement signal is described
by the photoelastic constant, which is a
dimension of the measuring sensitivity of
the basic material at the corresponding
wavelength. Thus the selection of the
appropriate working wavelength proves
to be decisive for both the material in
question and the particular application.
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Relaxation behavior of the material
Another important characteristic for
practical use in load sensors is the relaxation behavior of the material in relation
to the optical signal. Equivalent to the
static load, the results of stress-relaxation
Application scenarios
The special properties described above
yield a number of possible scenarios for
metrological applications. Because the
photoelastic constants are very low and
the sensitivity correspondingly high, even
slight load variations can be measured
with high resolution. With this type of
measurement, however, it is important to bear in mind that the relaxation
behavior can lead to excessive dead times
in the sensor signal (Fig. 4a). Another
application area for in-situ photoelastic
measurements is in monitoring extreme
load cases and mechanical breakage.
This type of application involves mea-
Fig. 4: Measurement signal during relaxation of sample upon removal of load. b) Differentiated measurement signal after sudden complete unloading of sample (simulated break).
13
14
Applications
Fig. 5: Testing a high-performance rowing oar:
a) rowing oar made of FRP, b) light guide, c) epoxy
resin sensor element, d) measuring line.
suring the variation in the measurement
signal over time (first derivative). In such
cases, rapid, forceful loading or unloading (typical of material breakage) would
produce high measurement amplitudes
while slow changes would be filtered
out (Fig. 4b). Signal processing here
is considerably simplified because the
actual polarization state of the test light
is no longer significant for the measurement process.
Practical use: A sample application
To demonstrate the method described
for derivative signal evaluation in a practical application, an epoxy resin sensor
was integrated in a high-performance
rowing oar made of fiber-reinforced
plastic (Fig. 5).
Figure 6 shows the derivative of the
measurement signal under intermittent
application of force on the oar. Pronounced load and unload peaks are seen
at the beginning and end of the drive
phase of the rowing stroke. The periods
of very low fluctuation during the recovery phase (between drive phases), on
the other hand, are averaged out.
Outlook
Photoelastic analysis and monitoring
of mechanical loads present an economical alternative to conventional
load sensors in testing state-of-theart lightweight structures made with
optically
transpa-rent
construction
elements, such as epoxy resin. This
method is particularly well suited for
reliable and accurate detection of extreme loads and mechanical breakage.
It is just as useful, however, for in-situ
measurement of unexceptional intermittent load cases, as seen in the example
presented here.
www.fh-zwickau.de
Authors: Christopher Taudt, Tobias
Baselt, Uwe Gieland, Holger Klose,
Peter Hartmann (Westsächsische
Hochschule Zwickau)
Fig. 6: Sensor signal as a function of
rowing cycle.
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Applications
NANO 250 laser modules: Precise control made easy
New remote control unit
The NanoControl user software supplied with the NANO 250 series laser modules enables perfect adjustment
of the optimum working area using a computer. This facilitates both adaptation to individual requirements
and long-term storage of working area data.
Fig. 1: The new RemoteControl unit.
Laser diode temperature control
The RemoteControl can be used to
switch the laser on and off, as well as to
adjust and display the laser output level.
Furthermore, this remote control unit
offers the unique option of influencing
the wavelength by adjusting the laser
diode temperature (shift of up to ±
5 nm). The temperature can also be
viewed on the display.
The new RemoteControl unit (Fig. 1)
offers users all of the functionality found
in the familiar NanoControl software
– and makes it accessible without the
computer. This unit is simply connected
to the laser controller using the microUSB cable that comes with the laser
system (Fig. 2). Power is supplied to the
unit over the USB cable. The RemoteControl has a 5-button pad for operating the laser modules, as well as a 3-line
display.
Features: Focus on RemoteControl
5-button operating pad
3-line display
Contrast and brightness can be
adjusted separately
Powered by the laser controller; no
separate power supply for the remote
control
Simple connection to the laser system
using micro-USB cable (included with
the laser system)
Display and adjustment of laser
temperature (if this function is
supported by the laser system)
Display and adjustment of laser
output power
On/off switch for laser operation
Displays operating status of both key
switch and interlock input
Contact: Norbert Henze
nobert.henze@qioptiq.de
Fig. 2: NANO 250 controller with micro-USB
cable.
No 26 | 2011 optolines
15
16
Applications
Structured Illumination Microscopy
An Accessible Alternative to Confocal
Imaging
Biomedical scientists are constantly searching for innovative imaging techniques to enhance details of the
intracellular and intercellular environments of biological samples. The combined requirements of high spatial
resolution, low noise, and optical slicing may call for complex and very costly techniques (e.g., laser scanning
confocal microscopy). These techniques can be somewhat limiting due to cell damage, photo-bleaching, and
unavailable excitation wavelengths associated with lasers. Costs associated with the techniques can be prohibitive as well. As an alternative, researchers are looking to new groundbreaking techniques to acquire the
highly focused and detailed imagery necessary to support their research.
cence illuminator field stop slot of a wide
field microscope (Olympus, Center Valley, PA, Nikon, Melville, NY, Zeiss, Thornwood, NY, and Leica, Bannockburn, IL
upright and inverted microscopes), a
controller containing motor focus and
DAC piezo controllers and a calibration
slide.
Fig. 1: OptiGrid system components as implemented by Leica Microsystems, (Wetzlar,
Germany) on D5500 upright microscope and a DMI6000 inverted microscope.
One particularly noteworthy alternative
to complex confocal methods of imaging is the emergence of structured light
technology. Structured light imaging
provides highly focused, rich contrast
images similar to those produced by
confocal technologies. However, structured light technology eliminates out of
focus information and noise through an
innovative, cost effective system that is
integrated into a conventional wide-field
microscope and desktop PC.
Structured light theory was developed in
1997 by Professor Tony Wilson and his
colleagues at Oxford University (Oxford
U.K.). The technology has become
commercially available in the last few
years. Specialty optics manufacturer
Qioptiq Inc. (Rochester, NY) purchased
the license for developing structured
light technology from Professor Wilson’s
group, resulting in the OptiGrid Structured light imaging system.
Imaging with Structured Light
The OptiGrid system comprises three
components (Fig. 1): the piezo slider,
which is inserted into the epi-fluores-
Images are acquired through a variety
of digital research grade cameras (e.g.,
Hamamatsu, Bridgewater, NJ, Photometrics, Q-Imaging, Tucson, AZ or Andor, South Windsor, CT, etc.). OptiGrid
imaging is supported by three major
software platforms MetaMorph (Molecular Devices, Downingtown, PA), Volocity (Perkin Elmer, Lexington, MA) and NIS
Elements (Nikon Instruments, Melville,
NY). System compatibility with these
popular software packages enables users to employ software they currently
own and minimize their learning curve
in setup, image capture, and microscope
automation.
Three dimensional images can also be
acquired by simply adding ‘Z’ stage control to the microscope focus drive, which
allows the user to capture a ‘Z’-stack of
OptiGrid images at gradually elevated
planes. Once the piezo slider is inserted
into the light path, the system captures
No 26 | 2011 optolines
A
B
the specific in-focus portions of the sample without the distraction of extraneous
(out-of-focus) information (Fig. 2).
The system maintains the conventional
functionality of the host microscope.
Simply removing the piezo slider allows
resumed utilization of the microscope
for other wide-field applications (Fig.
3). By integrating a fluorescence microscope with a digital camera and imaging
software, researchers are able to view an
OptiGrid image on the screen economically, utilizing a standard fluorescence
light source.
At the heart of the system is a onedimensional custom OptiGrid grating,
mounted on a piezo-electrically driven
actuator. Once inserted into the light
path of the epi-fluorescence illuminator, voltage is applied to the piezo crystal
to change its length. The piezo crystal
provides highly accurate repositioning of
the grating pattern.
The grating pattern is projected onto the
sample and is moved perpendicularly to
the grid lines across the sample. Three
images must be captured to produce
one OptiGrid image. The first image is
taken at any position of the grating. The
grating is then moved linearly, by onethird prior to capturing the second image, and moved again another one-third
of the grating period to capture the third
image (Fig. 4). A patented algorithm
then eliminates the parts of the image
that are above or below the primary image plane, as well the projected grid pattern. The resulting image is sharp, clean,
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Applications
Fig. 2: Comparison of conventional widefield fluorescence
image (A) and the same specimen image through an OptiGrid structure light imaging system. The systems enhanced
contrast and haze-free imaging is shown in B). Speciman:
Mouse Brain, olfactory bulb (40um section). Stained for glial
fibrilary acidic protein (red) with nucleic acid counterstain
(white). 60x/1.4NA oil immersion objective. Courtesy of :Dr.
Adam Puche – University of Maryland (Baltimore).
and haze free, and can be viewed simultaneously on the screen.
The two-point discrimination of the system is the same as the resolving power
of the selected microscope objective. A
microscope objective lens with a high
degree of spherical aberration correction
and UV transmission capability is desirable (e.g., the OptiGrid resolution using a 60X 1.4NA Plan Apo oil objective
would be 1/5um). As with any electronic
microscope system, an anti-vibration
platform is required for optimal performance. Because the system utilizes the
illumination source of the host microscope, all wide-field capabilities of that
microscope are maintained. When using
fluorescence with the system, the excitation and emission filters and dichroic
mirrors should be optimized to the specific fluorophore being used.
Putting structured light to work
The system’s inherent light efficiency and
wide-field versatility make it well suited
for live cell imaging, such as visualizing
organelle dynamics labeled with Green
Fluorescent Protein (GFP). JSW-Research
(Graz, Austria) is focusing on neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s
disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The
histology department of JSW-Research
uses the system for 3D imaging and evaluation of drug effects on brain morphology and pathological hallmarks such as
synaptic loss, neuronal inclusion bodies,
and plaques.
One distinct advantage the company
has realized using OptiGrid structured
light imaging over conventional imaging
is the lack of scattered fluorescent light.
The system disregards the out-of-focus
signals, eliminating blur and haze. The
structured light images show enhanced
contrast, clarity, and detection sensitivity,
making image analysis easier and more
accurate.
Fig. 3: OptiGrid piezo slider inserts into the epi-fluorescence illuminator. Simple removal
of the slider returns the microscope to full conventional functionality.
17
18
Applications
Through comprehensive research in neurodegeneration, acute brain damage
and neuropharmacology, JSW-Research
has at its disposal a variety of valuable
disease-relevant in vitro and in vivo models for characterizing drug effects on
the central nervous system. Transgenic
animals with highly complex pathologies
have emerged as relevant tools for preclinical research under in vivo conditions,
especially in neuroscience.
Loss of synapses in the hippocampal
formation and cortex is correlated with
memory and learning deficits. This kind
of neurodegeneration is especially pronounced in Alzheimer’s disease, in which
a significant number of synapses disappear in these areas. Animal models for
studying the effects of (drug) treatments
on synapse densities exhibit disturbances in their learning and memory abilities
but also show a marked loss of synapses
in the aforementioned brain structures.
Conclusion
The OptiGrid technology has circumvented many of the problems that other
image capture devices have failed to
resolve. Point scanning confocal microscopes are expensive, dedicated systems that rely on highly tuned technical
knowledge to operate and maintain.
Point scanning systems also have limited use in some applications due to
photo-bleaching and shallow penetration depth, particularly those involving
living cells and/or thicker tissue samples.
Spinning disk (Nipkow) confocal systems
have very limited light efficiencies due
to the small pinhole size, presenting a
challenge for imaging live specimens
because intense illumination is required.
De-convolution software can result in
post-processing algorithmic inaccuracies
as well as z-axis image shift, introducing potential uncertainty into imaging
results.
OptiGrid’s structured light imaging system presents widefield microscopy versatility, combined with specimen-friendly
illumination and affordable entry-cost,
resulting in a viable and accessible research alternative to confocal microscopy.
Author: Mr. Thomas is Market/Product
Manager, and Mr. Zinter is Director of
Technology, Qioptiq Inc., 78 schuyler
Baldwin Drive, Fairport, NY 14450,
USA.; Tel. 585-223-2370; fax: 585223-1999; email: info@qioptiqlinos.
com. Dr. Cseresnyes is a Research
Associate, Dept. of Bio-Chemistry and
molecular Biology, University of Maryland (Baltimore), USA. Dr. Hutter-Paier
is director of Preclinical Research, and
Dr. Hofmeister is a Research Associate, Histology, JSW-Research, Graz,
Austria.
Fig. 4. Diagram illustrating functional properties of structured light imaging.
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Innovas
LED cold light source: CLS-LED USB
External control using “e-Light”
The high-performance LED cold light sources in the CLS-LED series of Qioptiq present an economical and
energy-saving alternative to conventional light sources for virtually all of the most common applications. An
LED cold light source converts far more energy into visible light than a halogen cold light source can, and yet
has a service life of approximately 50,000.
Storage of up to 4 output adjustment
settings for each light source
Noiseless and vibration-free thanks to
passive cooling system
Extremely homogenous, flicker-free
illumination
Constant color temperature: typically
5,600 K
LED service life: approx. 50,000 h
(manufacturer’s specification)
Fig.1: CLS-LED USB with USB interface and function control port.
The light output of the new CLS-LED
USB light source can be adjusted quickly
and directly using the brightness controller on the front panel. Another option
is external control: with a PC connected
to the USB port (Fig. 1), the power level
can be adjusted through the “e-Light”
program that is included in the delivery
of the CLS-LED USB (Fig. 2). Up to four
different output settings can be stored
per light source – for as many as 255
light sources – and then loaded again
the next time the source is put into operation. This makes it easy to ensure reproducible conditions for every use. The
light source can also be operated in flash
mode. When using this mode, the pulse
duration, the switch-on delay following
No 26 | 2011 optolines
the start pulse and the quantity of repeat
sequences can be adjusted.
Another feature of this light source is its
additional function control port (Fig.1).
An external device can be connected to
this port, for example, to set the brightness using analog voltage (1 V to 10 V)
or to set up external trigger pulses for
flash operation.
Focus on CLS-LED USB:
USB interface and function control
port for external brightness control
and flash control
Manual brightness setting with
memory function
Operating software included
Order no.
Product designation
Price (À)*
G405760000
CSL-LED USB
769.00
*Sales tax not included; prices valid only
in Germany and Austria
Contact: Norbert Henze
nobert.henze@qioptiq.de
Fig. 2: Easy-to-use
software.
19
20
Fig. 1: 4-segment LED ring light
with 48 bright, high-quality LEDs.
Innovas
Perfect contrast setting and
ideal object illumination
New 4-segment LED ring light: RL4-S4
Ring lights are ideal for shadowless, homogenous illumination of objects with matt finish or only slightly
reflective surfaces. The new 4-segment ring light RL4-S4 (Fig. 1) enables professional users to establish the
perfect contrast setting and the best possible lighting for the object by selecting the optimum direction of
illumination.
The RL4-S4 is a state-of-the-art and
energy-saving 4-segment LED ring light
specially developed for the best object
illumination possible as well as excellent
contrast properties. It is ideal for use in
both science and industry. The four independent light segments can be adjusted
separately or in combination using the
illuminated push-button control (Fig. 2).
The brightness can be continuously adjusted between 0% and 100%.
The RL4-S4 has a standard inner diameter of 66 mm. Adapters are available for
reducing the inner diameter by as much
as 16 mm, down to 50 mm. Thanks to
a broad range of accessories, from diffusion plates to
polarizing filter sets to protective glass
panels and more, the ring light can be
adapted to suit practically any illumination task, no matter how complex.
Focus on RL4-S4
4-segment LED ring light with
48 bright, high-quality LEDs
Energy-saving, environmentally
friendly lighting technology
Very homogeneous, flicker-free
illumination
Long LED service life: approximately
50,000 h
Continuous brightness control from
0% to 100%
Working area from 50 mm to
160 mm
Inner diameter: 66 mm
Adapters available for inner ’ down
to 50 mm
Color temperature: 5000 K;
other temperatures on request
Extensive range of accessories
Product
Order no.
designation
Price* (À)
G40 5760 000 4-segment LED 529.00
ring light RL4-S4
*Sales tax not included; prices valid only in
Germany and Austria.
Contact: Norbert Henze
norbert.henze@qioptiq.de
Fig. 2: Continuous and extremely smooth brightness control with handy table control unit.
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Service
Powerful optical analysis software
TracePro® training courses
Professional instructors with extensive knowledge of the TracePro® software can help you discover the broad
range of application options available in the powerful TracePro® optical analysis program.
Simulation of light distribution of a ring light.
TracePro® training is designed both for
first-time users and for experienced
TracePro® experts. The first two days of
the three-day seminar provide an introduction to the software and then take
a closer look at the basic principles of
the program. The primary focus here is
on the TracePro® user interface with its
many options for configuration of modeling parameters and creation of design
models. This part of the seminar also
explores the many possibilities for displaying results and analyzing collected
data, as well as the use of the new
ray tracing options. The third day concentrates on advanced topics such as
the analysis of light scattering. Various
options in connection with the Monte
Carlo method are both discussed on
the theoretical level and demonstrated
in practical examples. In addition, the
third day includes a presentation of the
TracePro® Optimizer and an introduction
to macro programming in the Scheme
language.
In their TracePro® seminars Qioptiq
empha-sizes a mixture of teaching –
which includes addressing questions
from the participants – and practical
exercises on a PC with models that are
highly relevant to real-world use. Registration is limited to ten participants to
ensure close interaction and individual
attention.
The TracePro® software utility
TracePro® is a versatile and comprehensive optomechanical design program.
Because it is made with the industrystandard CAD-kernel ACIS®, used by a
number of CAD software manufacturers, integration of models in other 3D
CAD applications is not a problem.
The modeling of light propagation in
illumination and imaging systems is
among the major strengths of TracePro®.
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Furthermore, the software can be used
to calculate intensity structures and the
illumination on surfaces, and can model
any surface type. The program is also
capable of defining any surface as a light
source. Another distinguishing feature is
its intuitive user interface.
Analysis capabilities
Light distribution in illumination and
imaging systems
Scattered light and diffraction in
diaphragms
Losses or system transmission
Absorption of luminous flux or power
by surfaces or volume media
Light scattering in biological tissue
Polarization effects
Fluorescence effects
Birefringence effects
The next TracePro® course will
be held in Göttingen, Germany
in conjunction with this year’s
LASER World of Photonics
trade show:
Thu. to Sat., May 26 to 28, 2011
To register, send e-mail to:
sales@qioptiq.de
We will send you detailed information before the course begins.
21
22
Basics
Materials, designs and manufacturing methods
Lightweight mirrors for space telescopes
Telescopes installed in space probes and satellites open realms of exploration that cannot be reached by
Earth-bound instruments. Whether in orbit or traveling through space, they supply information that cannot
be detected by telescopes on Earth, which are limited by light attenuation and the filtering effect and turbulence of the Earth’s atmosphere. The optics and mirrors in space telescopes have to be specially designed to
withstand extreme conditions.
When reducing weight of telescope mirrors – known as “lightweighting” – it is
essential to take the mechanical stress
into account that has an impact on the
mirrors such as when the equipment is
launched into space. During operation
in space, too, the telescope mirrors must
withstand considerable stress in various
forms. The SEVIRI radiometer (Spinning
Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager)
on board the Meteosat Second Generation satellite, or MSG-1, for example, is
spin-stabilized and rotates at some 100
revolutions per minute. This is equal
to an applied load of up to 30 m/ s2
(5 3 g), which in turn causes significant
vibration. The mirrors require a certain
degree of stiffness to resist these forces.
Extreme temperature fluctuations can
also impose excessive mechanical stress
on the mirror material. Aside from the
thermally induced changes in length of
the mechanical retainer, the expansion
properties of the mirror material alone
can lead to a change in the distance, ∆z,
between the primary and secondary mirrors in a telescope.
Such variations in this distance can
seriously degrade the imaging quality,
as illustrated in Figure 1. This shows an
example, created with the WinLens3D
optical design software from Qioptiq,
of a simulated wavefront diagram of
a Cassegrain telescope. A significant
change of the peak-to-valley value (PV)
and the root mean square (RMS) deviation from the ideal form is discernible.
Materials for lightweight mirrors
The materials used in the construction of
lightweight mirrors must meet a variety
of requirements if they are to withstand
Fig. 1: WinLens3D simulation of the effects of a variation in distance, ∆z, of 500 µm between
the primary and secondary mirrors in a Cassegrain telescope.
the conditions under which they will operate. The ability to construct an optical
surface of sufficient precision is essential,
while at the same time a low coefficient
of thermal expansion (CTE) coupled with
a comparatively high fracture toughness
is imperative. Ultra-low expansion (ULE)
glasses made of silicon and titanium
oxides are well suited for this purpose,
as are glass ceramics like ZERODUR® [1].
Other materials that are commonly used
in such applications include ceramics
such as silicon carbide (SiC) and composites such as carbon fiber re-inforced
silicon carbide (C/SiC) [2]. A wide range
of techniques are available for processing these materials. An overview of the
methods and designs described in the
following is presented in Figure 2.
Monolithic telescope mirrors
Hollow grinding is one of the methods
used to create a honeycomb web structure, a design that enables lightweighting in conjunction with mechanical
stabilization provided by a structure of
solid material on the back of a mirror.
This method, however, has considerable
disadvantages, because the microscopic
geometry of the tools used in this processing step causes microfissures. The
depth of these fissures depends on the
diamond grit of the grinding tool. A hollow-grinding tool with an average diamond grit size of 9 µm (D9) for example
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Basics
causes microfissures that penetrate to
approximately 30 µm. This compromises the stability of the component and
results in stresses, which in turn negatively affect the optical quality of the
mirror surfaces. An additional processing
step, etching, can eliminate the microfissures. The acid used for etching may
be hydrofluoric acid (HF), or an aqueous
hydrofluoric acid solution, hydrogen
fluoride. When the ground glass surface
is treated with this wet etching technique, approximately 0.5 mm to 1 mm
of material is ablated. Etching is used for
other purposes as well, in addition to the
finishing treatment of ground surfaces.
For example, the Zeiss company has
developed an etching technique that is
used in manufacturing delicate stabilizing ribs for lightweight construction elements made of glass and glass ceramic,
which due to their low wall thickness
would break if manufactured with a hollow-grinding tool. This etching method
has already been implemented on materials with a wall thickness of just 3 mm.
Lightweighting
Another method for producing the
stabilizing ribs required for lightweight
mirrors employs bonded composite elements [3]. With this method, the web
structure is implemented by joining
individual plates. Aside from the properties of the materials used in the mirrors and their support structures, properties of the cement or other bonding
material are important factors in this
technique, including its coefficient of
thermal expansion and shrink properties. When the adhesive shrinks during
the hardening process, the resulting
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Fig. 2: Various designs and construction methods for implementing lightweight mirrors in
space telescopes.
tractive forces and tensions can lead
to deformations of the mirror surface.
Such negative effects can be minimized
by the use of a monolithic honeycomb
structure made of ceramic [4] or a carbon fiber reinforced composite [5]. This
entails cementing a stabilizing element
between the actual mirror surfaces,
made of glass or glass ceramic, and a
base plate.
Foamed substrates
The use of foamed silicon-infiltrated
silicon carbide (SiSiC) as a substrate is
another “sandwich method” for the
production of lightweight mirrors. This
process begins with the production of a
polyurethane mold with a specific porosity. The SiSiC is injected and then bonded and hardened in a vacuum by means
of a sintering process. In the next step,
the substrate is closed off with a sealing
layer of the same material that forms the
mirror surface [6].
NGST: The future is here
One ground-breaking development in the
area of lightweight mirror construction
for use in space exploration is the Next
Generation Space Telescope (NGST), also
known as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). This is an adaptable mirror
element designed to be the successor to
the Hubble telescope. The basic structural element of the NGST is a thin sheet of
borosilicate glass. Pliable as a membrane,
this plate is mounted on motorized
positioners [7, 8]. The actuators enable
dynamic correction of the curvature and
contouring accuracy of the glass membrane.
Summary
There is a number of special structural
features and environmental conditions
that must be taken into consideration
when designing and manufacturing
lightweight mirrors for use in space telescopes. A variety of materials come into
play, including glass, glass ceramic and
ceramic, to meet these complex requirements. Dynamically correctable, adaptive mirrors are among the designs implemented in this field, alongside monolithic mirrors and various composite or
sandwich construction methods.
Authors
Jennifer Hoffmeister B.Eng. trained as a
precision mechanical optician and subse-
23
24
Basics
Reflecting telescope in use:
Hubble space telescopes (source: NASA).
quently studied precision manufacturing
Christoph Gerhard, M.Sc. Dipl.-Ing. (FH),
ate at the Bremer Institut für angewandte
at the University of Applied Sciences and
trained as a precision mechanical opti-
Strahltechnik (BIAS - Bremen Insitute of
Arts (Hochschule für angewandte Wis-
cian and subsequently studied precision
Applied Beam Technology). Today he is
senschaft und Kunst, or HAWK) in Göt-
production engineering in Göttingen and
a research associate at the Niedersäch-
tingen. Currently she is working on her
Paris. Gerhard completed his Master’s
sischen Innovationsverbund Plasmatech-
Master’s degree in optical engineering/
degree in optical engineering/photonics
nik (NIP; Lower Saxony Plasma Technol-
photonics and is a research associate at
while employed as Product Manager for
ogy Innovation Association).
HAWK.
Optics at LINOS and as a research associ-
References
[1] L. E. Matson, D. H. Mollenhauer: Advanced
Materials and Processes for Large, Lightweight, Space-Based Mirrors, The AMPTIAC
Quarterly 8/1 (2004) 67-74
[2] B. Harnisch, B. Kunkel, M. Deyerler, S.
Bauereisen, U. Papenburg: Ultra-lightweight
C/SiC Mirrors and Structures, esa bulletin
95 (1998)
[3] T. Frank, T. Hackel, G. Höhne, M. Lotz, R.
Theska: Extreme Lightweight Stage Mirrors
For Precision Positioning Combining Silicon
And Zerodur®”, ASPE 20th Annual Meeting
(2005) Norfolk, Virginia, USA.
[4] C. L. Davis, M. W. Linder: Low cost light weight
mirror blank, PCT/US2000/028808
[5] B. Catanzaro, D. Keane, S. Connell, D. Baiocchi,
J. Burge, A. Maji, M. Powers: UItraLITE Glass/
Composite Hybrid Mirror, Proc. SPIE 4013, UV,
Optical, and IR Space Telescopes and Instruments (2000) 663-671
[6] A.Novi, G. Basile, O.Citterio, M. Ghigo, A.Caso,
G.Cattaneo, G.F. Svelto: Lightweight SiC foamed
mirrors for space applications, Proc. SPIE 4444,
Optomechanical Design and Engineering (2001)
59-65
[7] J. H. Burge, J. R. P. Angel, B. Cuerden,
H. M. Martin, S. M. Miller, D. G. Sandler:
Lightweight mirror technology using a thin
facesheet with active rigid support, Proc. SPIE
3356, Space Telescopes and Instruments V
(1998) 690-701
[8] D. Baiocchi, J. H. Burge, B. Cuerden: Demonstration of a 0.5-m ultralightweight mirror for
use at geosynchronous orbit, Proc. SPIE 4451,
Optical Manufacturing and Testing IV (2001)
86-95
Exhibitions Qioptiq, May – September 2011
Exhibition
Location
Country
Date
Internet
IDEF11
Istanbul
Turkey
10 – 13 May
www.idef11.com/
SID 2011
Los Angeles
USA
15 – 20 May
www.sid.org/conf/sid2011/sid2011.html
EastTec
Springfield, MA USA
17 – 19 May
Cyto
Baltimore, MD
USA
21 – 25 May
Laser World
Munich
Germany
23 – 26 May
Photo Dubai
Dubai
Dubai
May 2011
MoleSpec 2011
Columbus OH
USA
June 2011
Photonics Festival
Taipei
Taiwan
14 – 16 June
www.optotaiwan.com/en
DGaO
Ilmenau
Germany
14 – 18 June
www.dgao.de/info/tagung11_d.php
Paris Air Show
Paris
France
20 – 26 June
http://www.paris-air-show.com/en
SPIE Optics & Photonics
San Diego, CA
USA
21 – 25 Aug
PMA
Las Vegas
USA
6 – 11 Sept
http://www.pmai.org/
DSEI
Excel
UK
13 – 16 Sept
http://www.dsei.co.uk/
EMO
Hanover
Germany
19 – 24 Sept
http://www.emo-hannover.de/homepage_d
Qual. Expo/MD&M Midwest/Plastec
Chicago, IL
USA
20 – 22 Sept
world-of-photonics.net
http://www.photoworld-dubai.com/
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Dr. Martin Laging explains
the functional layout of a
laser to visitors.
Insight
Photonics West 2011
Trade show retrospective
The Photonics West trade show, widely acknowledged to be the most important trade show of its kind in the
world, was held in San Francisco at the end of January. This year saw everyone at the top of their game: a
positive year in 2010 with good prospects for 2011 for the photonics industry in general, a high point in
the semiconductor sector and a strong boost for the telecommunication market. And when the weather in
California favored us with a sunny 18°C (a real treat for those of us coming from icy climates!), all signals
turned green.
The Qioptiq team at Photonics West 2011. Back row (l. to. r.): Fiona Evans (QPUK), Gary
Avery (QROC), Bob Zinter (QROC), Martin Laging (QPKG), Joe Delfino (QROC), Michele
Durochat (Qioptiq Paris), Mark Radin (QROC), Tom Goundry (QROC), Bill Gilman (QROC), Tan
Kiat Beng (QSG). Front row (l. to. r.): Peter Griffith (QROC), Yvonne Chao (QROC), Ruth Wezel
(QPKG), Joe Mulley (QROC), Aleem Saleh (QPL), Scott Orr (QROC). QPKG: Qioptiq Photonics,
Germany; QPUK: Qioptiq, UK; QROC: Qioptiq Inc., Rochester, USA; QSG: Qioptiq, Singapore.
A total of 1162 exhibitors appeared at
their best – this was immediately evident given that the booths made a great
visual impact as could be seen while
touring the two exhibit halls at the
Moscone Center in San Francisco. And it
went beyond outward appearances: the
development cycles of new and innovative products become shorter and
shorter. Thus the Photonics West show
not only showcases the latest products,
but also has the effect of driving innovation throughout the entire sector.
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Thanks in part to the remarkable recovery
of the German economy last year, both
the number of German companies –
some 100 exhibitors – and the visitors’
interest in products distinguished by the
“Made in Germany” label were remarkably high at this year’s Photonics West.
The directions from which the most
exciting future innovations are expected
to come were presented by an “Executive Panel” of management executives
from six large companies in this industry sector. They predicted significant
advances in the areas of biophotonics,
two-photon processes, imaging and image processing, LEDs, DPSS lasers, laser
diodes with special properties or new
wavelengths, and display technology.
The three-day show provided an excellent opportunity for its 19,360 visitors to
see the state of the art in the broad field
of photonics. The two-day BiOS conference, which directly preceded Photonics
West, provided a wealth of information
to experts in the field of biophotonics,
with 184 exhibitors presenting products
relevant to this area.
At our green trade show booth we presented Qioptiq’s contributions on the
most important technological topics of
the day: A highly motivated team from
locations on three different continents
guided visitors through “The World of
Qioptiq.” The range of products offered
by Qioptiq is extremely broad so that it
sometimes took a few moments to find
out which field a visitor was most interested in. But all of the visitors were
impressed by the fascinating solutions
25
26
Insight
Qioptiq can provide in a wide range of
markets. The large number of technical
discussions between visitors and booth
staff led in turn to some very interesting
quotation requests. We look forward
processing these together.
We were pleased with the popularity
of our functional laser layout, equipped
with a remote control to give visitors the
opportunity to steer and control laser
beams and focusable lenses. We also
gave away prizes: the lucky winners
each received a green Qioptiq stunt kite.
Anyone who did not win a kite at Photonics West will have another chance at the
LASER World of Photonics in Munich.
We are eager to see how the positive
resonance of the Photonics West will
carry over into the LASER, and are looking forward to seeing you there!
DAVID MARKS
“This year’s Photonics West was a clear indicator of a strong
and resilient optics industry. Qioptiq returned good results
in 2010 with a noted rebound in semiconductor and continued growth in the medical and life sciences sectors. We
are poised for another good year in 2011 and are enthused
with the prospects uncovered last month in San Francisco. Our teams are
eager to hit the floor running at Laser World of Photonics in May”, said
Qioptiq CEO, David Marks.
BILL GILMAN
“Based on my interactions on the floor of Photonics West, it is clear to me
that Qioptiq has established a strong presence for the new “Q” brand with
our many and varied markets. We enjoyed a steady flow of visitors to the
booth who were seeking specific solutions that they knew Qioptiq could deliver.”, said Bill Gilman, President of the Rochester, NY Qioptiq operations.
“Photonics West was a tremendous success for Qioptiq! I don’t recall booth
activity of that level since the glory days of North American expo marketing
in the 1980s.”, Gilman added.
Author: Dr. Martin Laging
martin.laging@qioptiq.de
JOE DELFINO
“Photonics West 2011 far exceeded our sales expectations producing the
highest quality leads I’ve seen in many years. Our marketing efforts of the
past year were self-evident in the number of visitors who were familiar with
Qioptiq capabilities and came to the booth with specific agendas. Our booth
team received visitors from major medical, surgical and biotech companies
querying us on projects with definitive funding and timelines… factors sorely
been missing through the economic volatility of the past few years.”, said
Joe Delfino, Vice President of Sales & Business Development. “Adding to
our success, stood more than 30 hours of detailed meetings prior to and
during the show with current and prospective customers in the electro
optics, dental, biophotonics, semiconductor and surgical markets.”, Delfino
continued.
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Insight
Advanced Optics Using Aspherical Elements
(SPIE Press Book)
Editors: Bernhard Braunecker;
Rüdiger Hentschel; Hans J. Tiziani
ISBN: 978-0-8194-6749-2 / Vol: PM173
434 pages, $92.00
Recommended reading
Advanced Optics Using Aspherical Elements
Today’s optical imaging systems accomplish demands that used to be thought
impossible. The same is true of the
optics used in communications technology, metrology, materials processing,
and many other fields. The improvements in performance can be attributed
both to the new materials that have
become available and to the introduction
of new surface treatment and assembly
process techniques. An important milestone was reached when the physics of
both material ablation in polishing and
material application in the coating process were quantified to the extent that
they could be modeled mathematically,
which in turn enabled computer-aided
implementation. This advance makes it
possible that to a certain extent, aspheres
can be implemented in high-quality
optical systems. Previously the high cost
would have prevented the wide use seen
today, for example in the mass-produced
articles of predominantly Asian manufacture such as mobile telephone cameras.
Overall value chain
To estimate the potential risks and
rewards inherent in the use of aspheres it
is essential to understand the entire value
chain involved. The value chain extends
from design and material properties to
surface treatment options and coating
designs, and all the way to system assembly.
Reliable information on all of these
aspects can only come from experts. This
book brings together contributions from
almost 60 authors in 30 noted institutes
and optics companies throughout the
German-speaking countries. It is gratifying
to see that many of the authors and their
firms and institutes have in common their
membership in the „Deutschen Gesellschaft für angewandte Optik” (DGaO; German branch of the European Optics Society). It shows that the traditional collegiality in the field of optics, which has always
transcended company boundaries, is alive
and well. Their contributions are complemented by an informatively written introduction that provides an overview and
No 26 | 2011 optolines
Marketing high technology
The objective of the book is to outline
the most suitable path for each optics
application through the entire value
chain, explaining along the way the
recommended methods while also
pointing out their limitations. Estimated investment and operating costs are
detailed as well, and references are provided for those who wish to look up more
detailed information on the Internet. This
book is highly recommended not only for
technicians, but also for decision-makers
and consultants in the optics industry.
Imprint
Editorial staff
We want to extend a warm
“thank you” to all of our guest
authors, who very kindly provided us with their articles, graphs
and images. Would you be interested in contributing an article
for a future issue? We look forward to hearing from you! Best
regards from the editorial staff:
Bastian Dzeia, Norbert Henze,
Petra Aschenbach, and Thomas
Thöniß (Left to right.)
analysis of the book’s contents, as well as
a look at future trends. The introduction
was written almost entirely by the editors,
Bernhard Braunecker (former head of optics development at Leica Geosystems AG,
Heerbrugg), Rüdiger Hentschel (former
head of optics production at Schott AG)
and Prof. Hans J. Tiziani, long-time head
of the Institute of Applied Optics at the
University of Stuttgart.
Contact:
petra.aschenbach@qioptiq.de
Published by:
Qioptiq Photonics GmbH & Co. KG,
Königsallee 23,
37081 Göttingen, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)551/6935 0
www.qioptiq.com
Corporate design:
abc cross media GmbH, Munich
© Editing and production:
BEISERT & HINZ
Unternehmenskommunikation GmbH
www.BEISERT-HINZ.de
27
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www.qioptiq.com
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