Recommended Fiber Alignment Products
A complete fiber alignment solution requires alignment hardware, control electronics, software and system integration. MKS can provide any or all of the components, software and expertise required.
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 |
Motorized and Manual Positioners
Motorized Positioning Stages
Motorized stages, driven by electromagnetic motors, are commonly used in production environments to enable the automation of alignment processes. They typically feature sub-µm MIM and repeatability, which greatly improves the quality and performance of telecom devices assembled using these stages. We at MKS stand by our published motion performance specs. All of the stages that we test meet or exceed the guaranteed specs, and typical performance values are about 2 times better than the guaranteed number.
- XM Series: the ultimate solution for the most demanding manufacturing and test and measurement applications.
- MLT Series: the low profile, high performance solution at an affordable price.
- VP Series: the modular, compact system designed for fiber alignment.
- VP-Z Vertical: povides easy access to load from any direction (lower profile alternative to VP XYZ stack).
 XM Series Linear Stages |
 MLT Series Linear Stages |
 VP Series Linear Stages |
 VP-Z Vertical Stages |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Range | 50-350 mm | 25-250 mm | 25 mm | 4.8 mm |
| MIM | 1 nm | 5 nm | 10 or 100 nm | 60 nm |
| Accuracy | ±0.2 to ±0.5 µm | ±0.3 to ±3 µm | ±0.4 to ±0.5 µm | ±0.6 µm |
| Repeatability | ±0.03 to ±0.035 µm | ±0.15 µm | ±0.05 to ±0.06 µm | ±0.1 µm |
| Speed | 300 mm/s | 500 mm/s | 25 mm/s | 5 mm/s |
| Other Features | Ironless Linear Motor | High torque linear motor | Low profile, compact, lightweight | Unobstructed access to the moving platform |
| Use | ✓ High Volume | ✓ Low Volume ✓ High Volume |
✓ R&D ✓ Limited Automation ✓ Low Volume ✓ High Volume |
✓ R&D ✓ Limited Automation ✓ Low Volume ✓ High Volume |
A hexapod is a parallel kinematic, mechanical device that uses six actuators, all moving in parallel, to provide six-axis range of motion in a Cartesian coordinate system. All axis moves are interdependent, meaning that the motion in one axis reduces the travel in the other axes. A hexapod is capable of complex combinations of linear and angular motions and is particularly useful for critical rotation adjustments.
- HXP Hexapod: the solution when six degrees of freedom are required.
| HXP50 Hexapod | X | Y | Z | ΘX | ΘY | ΘZ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Range | ±17 mm | ±15 mm | ±17 mm | ±9° | ±8.5° | ±18° |  |
| MIM | 0.1 µm | 0.1 µm | 0.05 µm | 0.05 mdeg | 0.05 mdeg | 0.1 mdeg | |
| Repeatability | ±0.6 µm | ±0.6 µm | ±0.3 µm | ±0.3 mdeg | ±0.3 mdeg | ±0.6 mdeg | |
| Speed | 14 mm/s | 12 mm/s | 5 mm/s | 6°/s | 6°/s | 15°/s | |
| Other Features | 50N load capacity, no moving cables | ||||||
| Use | ✓ High Volume | ||||||
Motion Controllers
 XPS-D Series |
 XPS-RLD Series |
 ESP302 Series |
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Piezoelectric Positioning Stages
Piezoelectric multi-axis aligners are compact, four- to six-axis alignment systems that are driven by piezoelectric actuators. This type of actuator is capable of 30 nm linear resolution and is ideal for remote control of alignment positioning in R&D applications. These multi-axis motorized positioners allow high-resolution (< 30 nm) adjustment for different combinations of X, Y, Z, θx, θy, and θz. These stages can exert a 5 lb. (22 N) force and have exceptional long-term stability and can hold their position with no power applied.
Manual Positioning Stages
Mechanically, manual positioning stages are the simplest and the least costly motion control systems that can provide precise linear or rotational motion. They are most often used in academic or industrial R&D centers and are occasionally found in low volume production environments. The recommended ULTRAlign™ series can also be motorized by adding NSA12 or TRA motorized actuators.
- ULTRAlign™ Fiber Alignment Stages: provides precise, stable and robust alignment of optical fibers.
- 466A Series Fiber Alignment Stages: a compact, 3-axis alignment stage ideal for fiber launch systems.
| ULTRAlign™ Linear Translation | ULTRAlign™ Tilt & Rotation | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | Y | Z | ΘX | ΘY | ΘZ | ||
| Travel Range | 0, 6 or 13 mm | 13 mm | 6 or 13 mm | ±10° | ±5° or +2°/-1.5° | ±5° or +10°/-7° |  |
| Other Features | Stainless Steel Left- or Right-handed Configurations A wide variety of accessories |
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| Use | ✓ R&D ✓ Limited Automation |
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| 466A Stages | X | Y | Y | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Range | 2 mm | 2 mm | 2 mm |  |
| Other Features | Flexure positioning mechanism Left- or Right-handed Configurations A wide variety of accessories |
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| Use | ✓ R&D ✓ Limited Automation |
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Optical Power Meter and Detector
Optical detector measures the power of a beam. Together with a power meter, they monitor the optical signal and detect the highest transmitted power.
Fiber Optic Detectors
- 818 Series: photodiode detector with exchangeable fiber adapter with lowest uncertainty available.
| 818 Series | InGaAs | Si | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectral Range | 800-1650 nm | 400-1100 nm |  |
| Sensor Size | Ø3 mm | Ø11.3 mm | |
| Min Measurable Power | 20 pW | ||
| Max Measurable Power | 10 mW | 5 mW | |
| Rise Time | ≤2 µs | ||
| Calibration Uncertainty | ±1% to ±4% (w/o attenuator) | ||
| Other Features | Exchangeable fiber adapters | ||
| Use | ✓ R&D ✓ Limited Automation ✓ Low Volume ✓ High Volume |
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Power Meters
 1938-R Touchscreen |
 1830-R Benchtop |
 1919-R Handheld |
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Optics
A focusing optic is normally needed when handling bare fiber. For a number of different ways to mount the lens, please check out the product family page.
- Gradient Index (GRIN) Micro Lenses: designed for laser collimating and focusing for fiber coupling.
| GRIN Lens | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lens Shape | Plano-Plano |  |
| AR Coating | 630, 830, 1300 or 1560 nm | |
| Transmission | ≥89% | |
| Pitch | 0.23, 0.25 or 0.29 | |
| Diameter | 1, 1.8 or 2 mm | |
| Use | ✓ R&D ✓ Limited Automation ✓ Low Volume ✓ High Volume |
- Aspheric Objective Lens: designed for laser collimating and focusing.
| F-LA22 Lens | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wavelength Range | 350-1550 nm |  |
| AR Coating | MgF2 | |
| Numerical Aperture | 0.25 | |
| Effective Focal Length | 11 mm | |
| Other Features | Standard RMS threads | |
| Use | ✓ R&D ✓ Limited Automation ✓ Low Volume ✓ High Volume |
Optical Table and Workstation
For applications requiring to hold the alignment in place, we offer a comprehensive range of vibration isolation and damping solutions to ensure a stable system.
 Breadboards |
 Workstations |
 Table Systems |
 Tables and Legs |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimension | Few feet | Few feet | Several feet, custom sizes | Several feet, custom sizes |
| Thickness | Few inches | Few inches | Several inches, custom thickness | Several inches, custom thickness |
| Portability | Must be carried or placed on "cart" | Casters on legs are standard | Larger, heavier, optional casters | Larger, heavier, optional casters |
| Isolation | None | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Damping | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Setup | Base model comes assembled | Base model comes assembled | Support frame included but not assembled May need help from riggers |
Tables, legs sold separately May need help from riggers |
| Cost | $ | $$$ | $$$$ | $$$$$ |
Other Products
- Venturi™ TLB-8800 Tunable Laser Source: designed for SiP testing, fiber optics testing, fiber sensing.
| TLB-8800 Series | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tuning Speed | Up to 20,000 nm/s |  |
| Programmabile Options | Tuning speeds Repetition rates Dwell times Wavelength ranges |
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| Coherence Length (swept mode, coherence control off) |
>4 KM | |
| Reliability | >500 million cycles | |
| Other Features | OEM version TLB-8700 Series available | |
| Use | ✓ R&D ✓ Limited Automation ✓ Low Volume ✓ High Volume |
- Beam Profiler: ideal for comprehensive analysis of IR and NIR lasers used in Telecom applications.
| NanoScan Beam Profiler | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wavelength Range | 700-1800 nm |  |
| Sensor Type | Germanium | |
| Beam Size | 7 µm to 2.3 mm | |
| Compatible Light Sources | CW, pulsed >25 kHz | |
| Use | ✓ R&D ✓ Limited Automation ✓ Low Volume ✓ High Volume |
- LDC-3726 Laser Driver & Temperature Controller: industry-leading combination laser current source and temperature controllers.
- LDC-3916 Laser Diode Controller: true modularity and high channel density for a wide variety of applications.
 LDC-3726 Controller |
 LDC-3916 Controller |
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|---|---|---|
| Channels | Single | 16-channel Modular |
| Output Current | Up to 0.5 A | Up to 1.5 A |
| Temperature Stability (1 hour) | ±0.001° C | ±0.007° C |
| Modulation | Up to 1 MHz | Up to 1 MHz |
| Other Features | Multiple layers of diode protection, front panel or remote control | Multiple layers of diode protection, front panel or remote control |
| Use | ✓ R&D ✓ Limited Automation ✓ Low Volume ✓ High Volume |
✓ R&D ✓ Limited Automation ✓ Low Volume ✓ High Volume |
Related Topics
Optical Fiber Alignment
Motion Control
- Fundamentals of Motion Control
- Motion Basics Terminology & Standards
- Motion Control Systems
- Motorized Positioning Solutions for Fiber Alignment
- Manual Positioning Basics
- ULTRAlign™ Precision Fiber Optic Positioning System
Optical Receivers
Laser Diodes
Vibration Control