Air Bearing-Based Miniature Stages For Fiber-Optics Alignment

Motion control and nanopositioning technologies are crucial in optics and photonics test & production. Frictionless air bearings not only provide better guidance and geometric performance compared to mechanical bearings but also never wear out. A compact air-bearing-based alignment system together with advanced motion control algorithms can significantly imrove the quality and throughput in optics and photonics related applications.

Silicon photonics is a critical catalyst for progress in groundbreaking technologies such as quantum computing, nanosatellites, light detection and ranging (LIDAR), optical logic, as well as enhancing data processing, storage, and transmission. These technologies, however, impose significant challenges on testing and packaging procedures, particularly the alignment of fiber optic devices in high volume production settings with stringent cleanliness standards.

PI provides state-of-the-art motion control and positioning solutions geared towards fast, around-the-clock, automated operation, leveraging diverse motor, guiding, and sensor technologies. Augmented by unique, proprietary alignment algorithms for the simultaneous optimization of any performance indicator, these solutions can amplify throughput by over 100 times.