Designed to perform routine quality monitoring tests for optical components and systems in the infra-red region of the spectrum, and may be used in production, quality control or research
The new Interfire-II interferometer has been announced by Precision-Optical Engineering.
Available with a choice of lasers operating at 10.6 micron wavelength, tunable over the 9.2 to 10.7 micron waveband or in the 3-5 micron waveband range, the new instrument allows fringes to be obtained more quickly and with improved signal-to-noise.
The Interfire-II is designed to perform routine quality monitoring tests for optical components and systems in the infra-red region of the spectrum and may be used in production, quality control or research applications.
The new laser used in the Interfire-II 3-5 is mounted on an invar frame for improved stability and is very tolerant of local temperature changes.
This, combined with a fast warm-up time means that fringe images can be quickly and easily produced with no drifting of laser mode, which would otherwise reduce fringe modulation. The Interfire-II 10.6 is available with water cooled lasers for greatest stability.
A standard 10.6 micron version is available or a tunable laser can be fitted to cover the 9.2 to 10.7micron waveband.
Another key feature of the Interfire-II is the use of a focal plane array camera.
This is much more sensitive than previous cameras and has significantly reduced noise, allowing high quality images of fringes to be acquired.
When used with phase shifting fringe analysis software, the acquisition of fringes is much more reliable.
The greatest enhancement is seen in the 3-5 micron band where the lasers are generally of low power.
The electronic system has been redesigned so that it is processor controlled.
This allows the use of a remote laptop for motor controlled functions such as zoom, focus and reference mirror pan and tilt.
With improved efficiency and image quality, the new instrument will also benefit from advances in fringe analysis software such as the OFA Fringemaster and uPhase from Fisba Optik.
