KrellTech - NOVA GEO™ PIC Waveguide & Array Polishing System

NOVA GEO™ PIC Waveguide & Array Polishing System

NOVA GEO™'s flexible processing platform allows it to be configured for polishing waveguides, PIC optical chips, PLCs and fiber arrays. Polished endface angles can be varied from 0 to 50 degrees using either manual or automated workholder stages. GEO™'s component mounting plate is adjustable for varying edge widths and thickness.

Optional video inspection systems monitor the polishing process and inspect the polished surface directly in GEO™. In-line viewing minimizes material handling and is a means to confirm endface geometry before removing the component from the machine.

Starting at

$ 16,000

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Video: Waveguide Polishing

Advanced MicroFeed - PIC Material Removal

Orbit Fiber Cone, Chisel and Waveguide Polisher

Loading Waveguides in Extended Length Workholder

NOVA Optical Polishing System

PIC & Waveguides: Processing Considerations

Controlling and Measuring Waveguide Material Removal

April 2, 2020, 4:12 p.m.

What size Waveguides can the NOVA polish?

Standard waveguide fixtures are available for chip widths from 2mm to 50mm, and thickness from 0.5mm to >5mm. Custom fixtures can be designed and fabricated upon request.

Feb. 7, 2020, 3:36 p.m.

Can I upgrade to video systems at a later date?

Yes. Both the profiling video system and the surface inspection module can be added at a later date.

NOVA™ workholders feature KrellTech’s patented independent suspension at each connector position for controlled pressure and uniform contact. Combined with NOVA’s Microfeed™ fixture advancement, connector “air-polishing” and epoxy removal can be performed directly in the machine.  Each position is optically aligned for optimal polish geometry using KrellTech’s patented process and calibration mechanism.  Connector types can also be mixed and matched in a single fixture.   NOVA’s versatility provides the ability to support the polishing of many photonic components.  A quick change-out of workholder fixtures provides processing capability for waveguides, optical chips, PLCs, lenses and fiber arrays.   Workholders utilize a unique holding mechanism that can secure a wide range of component dimensions.  The polishing angle is adjustable and custom fixtures can be fabricated for specialized applications.   Bare fibers can be polished at variable angles using specialized workholders and adapters. A variety of fiber types from standard singlemode to PM, and sapphire to PCF can be processed into wedge and chisel tip shapes.  A quick swap-out of adapters allow the polishing of fiber diameters from 80um to >3mm. Optional video inspection systems monitor the polishing process and inspect the polished surface directly in NOVA.   NOVA™ features an intuitive user interface for creating polishing programs. All parameters including cycle time, pressure and speed settings are easily inputted for all component types and desired surface geometries.   A unique “manual mode” allows the adjustment of polishing parameters in real-time during NOVA™ operation.  This feature streamlines process development efforts and facilitates easy and quick program creation and refinement.   SPECIFICATIONS   Operational Controller1                 Wireless tablet with Android                  operating system Polishing Pressure Programmable & automated. Linear displacement with micron positioning control. Polishing Speed Program selectable Cycling Timing Program selectable Polishing Motion Random orbital Polishing Routines                 (1) Programmable, step by step prompts                 (2) Microfeed™ controlled advancement                 (3) Manual mode with full process control Film Size                 4 inch diameter. Equipment Footprint & Weight             12” x 12” (305 x 305mm)                 25lbs 1Wired version available   Connector Performance Connector Support2                 All industry standard connectors                 Mil-spec termini and ferrules                 UPC & APC geometries Capacity                 Up to 8 components.  Selections                 be mixed & matched in same                 workholder fixture. Apex Offset      <50 microns, maximum <15 microns, typical Radius of Curvature             10-25 mm, 2.5 mm ferrules                 7-20 mm, 1.25 mm ferrules                 5-12 mm, APC ferrules Protrusion/Undercut3             50nm  to -120 n Back Reflection4           < -60 dB, UPC < -65 dB, APC Insertion Loss4             < 0.25 dB, typical Process Time5 Approximately 15 sec/connector   2 Polishing performance meets and exceeds Telcordia/IEC. specifications, and can be optimized for specific applications. 3 Dependent upon radius of curvature. 4 Optical performance may vary between connector manufacturers 5 Singlemode UPC/APC finish.     Waveguide Performance Component Support                 Waveguides, planar lightwave                 circuits, optical chips, fiber arrays Component Dimension Range6                 Width:   5mm to 25mm                 Thickness: 0.5mm to 5mm                  Length: >5mm Angle Repeatability                 +/-0.3 degrees (X/Y axis along edge) Adjustable Polish Angle Range6                 0 deg. (flat) to 45 degrees          6 Custom dimensions and angles available.     Bare Fiber Performance Fiber Types                 Singlemode, multimode, PM,                 plastic, PCF, chalcogenide,                 sapphire and specialty fibers Fiber Diameter             80um to >3mm Angle Range7   0 deg. (flat) to 50 degrees Angle Repeatability             ± 0.5 degrees, typical   7 Referenced off fiber diameter (i.e. 8° for APC style connector polish).  Custom angles available.                                                                                                    Inspection Options Real-Time Polishing Inspection 80x Magnification In-Line Surface Inspection             400x Magnification (standard)                 Coaxial Illumination Video Signal EIA/NTSC Compatible Switchable Source Geometry Measurements Software for angle, length and point-to-point measurements.

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NOVA GEO™ PIC Waveguide & Array Polishing System

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