PI’s new F-712.IRPx optical power meter features high-throughput alignment and scanning capabilities

With the new F-712.IRPx optical power meter, PI supplements its portfolio with a low-cost alternative to the proven F-712.PM1 high-end power meter. The new F-712.IRPx photometer (optical power meter) detects optical input signals, without range switching, in the wavelength range of 600 nm to 1700 nm with a power between 230 pW and 1.3 mW. The signals are converted with high resolution into a precision, logarithmic voltage signal (0.1 V to 1.6 V). The bandwidth equals 6 kHz, fully enabling the high-throughput alignment and scanning capabilities of PI’s award-winning Fast Multichannel Photonic Alignment (FMPA) motion subsystems, solution platforms, and micro-robots.

The main field of application is the alignment optimization of glass fibres/fibre arrays and other elements to photonically integrated circuits (PICs). The signal strength changes depending on the geometrical position of the elements to be coupled. This change is detected by the power meter and is used as control variable for position optimization. The logarithmic scaling of the output signal is particularly advantageous for fast scans – as, for example, when searching for the first light – because the signal strength can fluctuate by several orders of magnitude within a few milliseconds. The optical power meter is used to find the maximum optical intensity quickly when integrated in fully automatic, optical FMPA alignment systems. The new photometer can also be used in many other applications where the signal to be optimized can be represented as voltage and responsiveness is paramount.

Two variants are available:

For particularly compact assemblies and seamless integration into the FMPA systems from PI, the power meter is designed as a two-channel plug-in module for the E-712 controller.

For independent operation, the power meter is available as a single-channel benchtop or panel-mounted device, whose low power requirements can be covered by a standard USB power adapter for easy OEM integration.

For more information, please visit http://www.pimicos.com/.