Fiber Alignment Solutions

For over 40 years, MKS has provided thousands of fiber alignment systems for optical applications in a variety of markets. We are one of the major players in fiber alignment during the telecom buildup. With deep understanding of challenges faced in fiber alignment systems, we not only offer a full range of products for fiber alignment, but also partner with each customer to discover the best solution for their applications.

Challenges in Fiber Alignment	MKS Solutions
Maximizing transmission through fiber or waveguide	Sub-micron and nanometer scale positioners
Increasing speed of process	API algorithms, fast detectors & fast positioners
Stability of system	Vibration control & robust positioners
Multiple alignments	High performance motion controllers & highly repeatable positioners
Building the optimal system	Applications engineering expertise & full range of products

MKS Fiber Alignment Products

Check out MKS Recommended Fiber Alignment Products to build a fiber alignment system that best fits your application.

Motion Control

Optics

Light Analysis

Vibration Control

Typical Fiber Alignment System Requirements

	R&D	Limited Automation	Low Volume	High Volume
Alignment Accuracy & MIM	1 µm	200 nm	100 nm	50 to 100 nm
Speed/Cycle Time	Minutes (usually user-dependent)	Seconds or minutes (can be user-dependent)	Several seconds	Few seconds
Repeatability	Not as critical (user-dependent)	Hundreds of nm	Hundreds of nm	<100 nm
MTBF/Reliability	Not as critical	Thousands of hrs	Thousands of hrs	>10,000 hrs

Fiber Alignment Motion Systems

Motion control systems can be customized in many ways, depending on the DUT. Figure 1 shows different configurations of fiber alignment systems, ranging from a simple, single-channel, single-side setup to a more complex double-sided, multiple-channel setup that includes machine vision, adhesive delivery/curing, and pick and place. Other setups may have horizontal and vertical beam inputs and outputs. Every configuration requires a unique set of motion products, depending on the performance required for that device. The basics of motion control systems can be found in Motion Control Systems.

Configurations of fiber alignment systems and example of a single-sided configuration with load/unload

Figure 1. Configurations of fiber alignment systems (left, image used with permission of GBC&S Consulting Services); example of a single-sided configuration with load/unload (right).

Different configurations are available for the motion control systems used in fiber alignment, ranging from simple manual stages suitable for small scale and R&D applications to full-featured automated production systems with high precision motorized stages, pick and place automation, dispensing and curing systems, machine vision, etc. The following systems illustrate, in part, this range of configurations.

Fiber Alignment in Scientific Research

Up to 6 DOF manual alignment system features off the shelf products and is ideal for scientific research in university laboratories.

Figure 2. 6 DOF alignment system for focusing light into bare fiber.

Single-End R&D Fiber Alignment System

Automated alignment for R&D or production, this system features off the shelf products.

3-Station System

This dual 6-axis station (4 axes automated) with the middle station for loading and unloading stage of device is designed for single and multimode applications. It includes the following standard products.

Figure 3. Double-sided configuration with VP-25 and XMS stages.

Fiber-to-Waveguide with Bridge

This optical fiber to waveguide alignment system features dual 6-axis motion systems (4 axes automated) for R&D applications. It includes the following standard products.

Figure 4. Automated fiber to waveguide alignment with XMS, VP and SR stages.

Automated Alignment for Production

For alignment of optical fibers or optical devices (single or multi-mode, single to multi-channel, Si photonics) it is critical that motion is controlled not just in X, Y, and Z but also in tip and tilt. When coupled with alignment software such as APOGEE, a hexapod becomes a turnkey automated alignment system.

High Precision Hexapods

In addition to hardware solutions, MKS has also developed algorithms that will make it easier to optimize and speed up fiber alignment. In our XPS-D motion controller, 7 alignment algorithms in the form of Application Programming Interface (API) are available in the firmware. When programming the fiber alignment system, any of these API functions can be used via a simple command to execute a motion pattern. For more details, check out our Optical Fiber Alignment technical note.

Photonic Device Search Algorithm (PDSA) API	Beam Profile: Gaussian or Single Peak	Beam Profile: Plateau or Multiple Peaks	Find First Light	Find Peak Power	Find Peak Power along Beam Axis (Z)	Stop when Threshold Reached	Max Number of Axes
Axis by Axis	x			x			6
Dichotomy	x			x			6
Escalade (Continuous)				x	x		3
Escalade (Square)				x	x	x	3
Raster		x	x	x		x	2
Spiral (Continuous)		x	x	x			2
Spiral (Square)			x	x		x	2