Apparatus and method for inspecting end faces of optical fibers

Details Apparatus and method for inspecting end faces of optical fibers Apparatus and method for inspecting end faces of optical fibers

1994-02-18

1995-10-17

McGraw, Vincent P.

Optics: measuring and testing

For optical fiber or waveguide inspection

356359, G01B 902, G01N 2188

Patent

active

054595649

ABSTRACT:
An inspection and measurement device including an interferometer with a parfocal, parcentral zoom lens is adapted to inspect and measure an end surface of an optical fiber or connector. With the optical fiber or connector supported on an xyz stage, the interferometer is set to a "microscope" mode. Controls of the xyz stage are adjusted to bring the end surface into focus and alignment with the optical axis of the interferometer. The interferometer is set to operate in an interference mode, causing display of a fringe pattern resulting from interference of a test beam with a reference beam. The z control is adjusted slightly, if required, to optimize the contrast of the displayed fringe pattern. The zoom lens then is operated to change magnification of the fringe pattern so as to obtain an optimum number of available fringes across a selected portion of the end surface without refocusing or realigning the end surface with the focal point of the zoom lens. A tilt stage can support the optical fiber or connector, orienting it so as to facilitate measurement of an angle on the end surface or protrusion or undercut of fiber with respect to the ferrule of a connector without any readjustment of the xyz stage.

REFERENCES:
patent: 5064286 (1991-11-01), Ai et al.
patent: 5112129 (1992-05-01), Davidson et al.
OPTISPEC.RTM., Fiber Inspection Systems, Zoom in on Quality, Micro Enterprises, Inc.
Optical Fiber Micro-Interferometer F-IM1/F-IM2 Instruction Manual, Newport Corporation.
Cleave-Chek Interferometer System, Technical Data, Norland.
Connect-Chek Interferometer System, Technical Data, Norland.

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