F-712.Hxx Compact, High-Speed 6-DOF Photonics Alignment Systems

Single-Sided and Double-Sided, Upright and Low-Profile, Fully Automated Array Alignment Routines

  • Integrated scan/align routines for SiPh wafers, photonic devices, PICs, and fiber optics
  • Powerful array alignment algorithms
  • Fast, simultaneous optimization across multiple devices, I/Os, and degrees of freedom (DoF)
  • Broad and deep software support for rapid process development, including support for popular languages such as C#, Python, LabVIEW, and MATLAB on Windows and Linux
  • Automatic alignment in typically < 0.5 s
  • Responsive application and product support from PI worldwide
F-712.Hxx Compact, High-Speed 6-DOF Photonics Alignment Systems
Product Description Specifications Downloads Quote / Order

Problem solved

PI's Fast Multi-Channel Photonics Alignment (FMPA) solutions combine application-optimized, fab-ready, highly dynamic alignment stages with sophisticated controllers that integrate the world's most advanced and effective first-light search, profile, and power optimization alignment algorithms.

Reduction of alignment time by 99 %

This award-winning technology addresses the number one cost driver for photonics test and assembly: the precise alignment required for each element and channel. Legacy alignment technologies date back to the 1980s and can take minutes to complete. PI's fast optical alignment solutions reduce the time required by typically 99 %, routinely completing the task in less than one second. With studies indicating that on the order of 80 % of the cost of a photonic device is consumed in the alignment prior to FMPA, it is easy to see how profound the production economics benefit from reducing that 80 % by 99 %. And with projections of three orders of magnitude escalation in demand for photonic components in the near future, as new applications and devices emerge, FMPA is a true enabler.

Versatile, compact, proven solutions for 6-DoF alignment challenges

These integrated solutions combine PI's premier compact hexapod with a highly dynamic, ultra-resolution NanoCube® fast piezo scanning stage to provide 6-DoF positioning, scanning, and optimization. Since their introduction in 2016, these unique microrobotic solutions have enabled a variety of applications ranging from silicon photonics wafer probing to array alignment and automated photonics device assembly and are the first choice of many elite OEMs and in-house integration teams. The applications are complex, but the reasons for the choice are simple: groundbreaking alignment speed that improves production throughput by two orders of magnitude, an easy-to-master command set complemented by broad and deep software support, and global application expertise and support.

Synergies for higher performance

The combined hexapod and NanoCube® mechanisms operate synergistically to enable simultaneous optimization across multiple channels, I/Os, and DoF, with parallel optimization across all DoF and I/Os. For example, the NanoCube® offers extreme speed and long life through flexure guides and PICMA piezo drives, while the hexapod offers generous travel that includes pitch-yaw-roll positioning and alignment optimization important for arrayed waveguides, etc. High-resolution analog inputs provide connectivity to power measurement devices, such as PI’s F-712.PM1 high-bandwidth optical power meter, for optimization and profiling, enabling efficient and fast automated fiber optical alignment. Soft limits are supported to ensure process safety.

Low profile and upright configurations

PI’s 6-DOF fiber alignment systems include the F-712.HA1, F-712.HA2, and F-712.HU1 standard configurations.

The F-712.HA1 and F-712.HA2 single-sided and double-sided angled configurations offer a low profile. This means that the alignment can be performed close to (or even under) the mounting surface thanks to the hexapod’s angled mounting. Ideal for silicon photonics wafer probing applications.

The F-712.HU1 single-sided upright configuration is ideal for device characterization and packaging processes. Upright configurations for two or even more sides are available on request.

Starting with these sophisticated platforms, it is easy to configure further alignment solutions of unprecedented speed that support functionalities such as submicron-sensitive wafer proximity automation.

Application fields

PIC production, alignment of fiber arrays, collimators, optical components or lenses, silicon photonics wafer probing, testing, assembly, and packaging of photonics and fiber optics

Specifications

Datasheet

Datasheet F-712.Hxx

Version / Date
2024-08-22
pdf - 1 MB
Version / Date
2024-08-22
pdf - 1 MB

Downloads

Product Note

Product Note

Product Change Notification Motor Driven Products

Version / Date
2021-04-19
pdf - 917 KB
English
Product Note

Product Change Notification Piezo Actuator Driven Products

Version / Date
2021-04-19
pdf - 377 KB
English
Product Note

Product Change Notification F-712.xxx

Version / Date
2019-04-15
pdf - 265 KB
English

Datasheet

Datasheet

Datasheet F-712.Hxx

Version / Date
2024-08-22
pdf - 1 MB
Version / Date
2024-08-22
pdf - 1 MB

Documentation

Documentation

User Manual F712T0024

F-712.HP1 Mounting Adapter for F-712.HA1 / F-712.HA2 Fiber Alignment Systems

pdf - 737 KB
Documentation

User Manual F603T0003

F-603.41 / F-603.42 / F-603.43 Fiber holders for P-616-type (NanoCube®) piezo positioners

Version / Date
2018-12-03
pdf - 793 KB
English
Documentation

User Manual F712T0003

F-712.HA1 and F-712.HA2 Systems with 6 Degrees of Freedom for Fast Multi-Channel Photonics Alignment.

Version / Date
2023-09-25
pdf - 6 MB
English
Documentation

User Manual E712T0016

Fast Multi-Channel Photonics Alignment. Hardware and Firmware for Fast Optical Alignment in Silicon Photonics Production.

Version / Date
2023-03-14
pdf - 10 MB
English
Documentation

User Manual F712T0019

Calculation of Optical Power - Using the F-712.PM1 Power Meter with F-712 High-Precision Fiber Alignment Systems

Version / Date
2020-02-24
pdf - 475 KB
English
Documentation

User Manual F712T0007

F-712.HU1 System with 6 degrees of freedom for fast alignment

Version / Date
2023-08-07
pdf - 3 MB
English

3D Models

3D Models

F-712.HA 3-D model

zip - 4 MB

White Paper

White Paper

Case Study: Photonic Array Device Assembly

Version / Date
F712T0056 2020
pdf - 300 KB
White Paper

Practical Examples of Parallel Alignment Automation

Version / Date
WP4010E 2018-04
pdf - 1 MB
Version / Date
WP4010CN 2018-12
pdf - 786 KB

Quote / Order

Ask for a free quote on quantities required, prices, and lead times or describe your desired modification.

F-712.HA1
Single-sided photonics alignment system with H-811 hexapod and NanoCube® Nanopositioner, E-712 digital controller with 4 analog inputs, C-887 Hexapod Motion Controller with 2 analog inputs, firmware routines for extremely fast alignment functions, software package
F-712.HA2
Double-sided photonics alignment system with two H-811 hexapods and two NanoCube® Nanopositioners, E-712 digital controller with 4 analog inputs, two C-887 hexapod motion controllers with 2 analog inputs each, firmware routines for extremely fast alignment functions, software package
F-712.HU1
Single-sided photonics alignment system with H-811 hexapod and NanoCube® Nanopositioner, upright configuration, E-712 digital controller with 4 analog inputs, C-887 hexapod motion controller with 2 analog inputs, firmware routines for extremely fast alignment functions, software package

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