SPIE Optics + Photonics 2011: Technology Report

By Josh Butia

Nearly 5,000 people gathered in San Diego recently for SPIE Optics + Photonics 2011 to check out the latest research and technologies in solar, nano, optics, photonics, and space optics. According to SPIE, attendance was up 14% over 2011. The event's technical program boasted 77 conferences with 2,906 technical presentations, and 239 companies participated in the exhibition, which featured the latest optical components and devices, analytical equipment, engineering design services, and manufacturing equipment.

Photonics Online was at the San Diego Convention Center, both to exhibit and to cover the event. What follows is a rundown of some of the new and innovative technologies we saw at the SPIE Optics + Photonics exhibition. Links to various resources have been included, should you require additional information.

Avantes
Avantes had a very productive show with a lot of interest generated in their instruments. The new TE-cooled spectrometer, the AvaSpec-ULS TEC, a new member of the SensLine family of spectrometers, was particularly well-received, especially among attendees working in low-light applications like Raman and fluorescent measurements, due to its reduced dark noise and ultra-low stray light. Another SensLine High-Sensitivity Spectrometer also generated plenty of interest for attendees working in similar low-light-level applications. Avantes has extended its high-sensitivity offering considerably, adding four new detectors and two new optical benches. In addition, all SensLine spectrometers include a high-performance, ultra-low stray light optical bench. The AvaBench NIR optical bench was also on display. These optical benches were developed especially for OEM customers and are available with two different configurations: the AvaBench-50 is available in the 1000 to 1750-nm range for uncooled detectors, and the AvaBench-50TEC is developed for the NIR range from 1000 to 2500 nm. Avantes offers multiple detectors in both wavelength ranges.

Deposition Sciences, Inc.
Deposition Sciences, Inc. (also known as DSI) had several people on staff to discuss their innovative, ultra-durable optical coating solutions. The company specializes in standard and custom optical coatings. They work closely with their customers to develop optical filter solutions for their specific needs. DSI's optical thin film coatings are highly durable and high performing; they can withstand extreme environments, including heat, humidity, abrasion, salt fog, and more. DSI is involved at many levels of the customers' development to provide coatings that operate in the ultraviolet, visible, NIR, MIR, and LWIR spectral ranges. Applications include aerospace/defense, biofluorescence, photovoltaics, digital imaging, information displays, space/satellite apparatus, X-ray systems, and more.

Hamamatsu
Hamamatsu showcased their new and advanced technological innovations, which may help spur future developments in applications such as medical imaging, semiconductor manufacturing, and industrial inspection. Several products were displayed that are applicable to these markets, including their line of UBA and SBA photocathodes, the still-in-development µPMT, and hybrid photodetectors. NIR-enhanced Si Image Sensors and back-illuminated InGaAs image sensors were also displayed for attendees who work in applications that require enhanced sensitivities in the NIR and IR regions. For attendees working in the research and development of organic LEDs, organic photovoltaics, LED phosphors, and quantum dots, the Quantaurus-Quantum Yield system was also on display.

OptoSigma
OptoSigma had their product display out for the crowd again this year, most notably their new Zoom Microscopes, and their new ultra-thin extended contact steel stages. The new Zoom Microscopes were designed for high-resolution inspection applications and feature a wide range of working distances and magnifications and are equipped with a co-axial epi-illumination port. The new ultra-thin stages fall under OptoSigma's manual positioners product category, are 45% thinner and 30% lighter than standard extended contact steel stages, and are up to 60% thinner than equivalent aluminum stages. The bearings used in these stages are the same ones used in their taller extended contact stages, so the performance factor has not been negatively affected. These stages are available with micrometer actuators or fine pitch screw actuators.

PG&O Precision Glass & Optics
Precision Glass & Optics is a custom optics job shop that has been in business since 1985. At the show this year, they showcased their capabilities as they relate to their three main divisions: The Precision Optics Division, which can manufacture flats, prisms, windows, and mirrors; the Coating Division, which can perform coatings on various optics ranging from 250 nm to 2500 nm; and the Commercial Optics Division, which specializes in high-volume, low-cost optics. PG&O recently developed customized optical mirrors for the new VIRUS Instrument for the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment (HETDEX) to study the mysterious force that is causing the expansion of our universe to speed up. The company's customized, precision optics, glass, and thin film coatings provide high performance for the most demanding tasks.

SUI
Sensors Unlimited - Goodrich ISR Systems showcased their products and capabilities in shortwave infrared with both area and linescan SWIR imagers. The SU320KTX-1.7RT InGaAs video camera was at the front of the booth shooting into the crowd, highlighting the reflective imaging technology in the SWIR imaging range. The SU640KTS-1.7RT, a compact, large-format SWIR-InGaAs camera, was also on display to engage attendees – demonstrating the high-resolution InGaAs imaging performance in sorting, inspection, spectral imaging, and machine vision applications. What generated the most excitement was what Sensors Unlimited can bring to the developing solar inspection market. Displays showcased how the company's InGaAs-based cameras can be used in every step of the solar cell manufacturing process; from imaging through silicon boules, to the lab at the QC stage, all the way through integration into a machine vision system with sophisticated 3-D modeling software on a manufacturing line.

Xenics
Xenics had several application areas covered with their line of scientific cameras on display. The Xeva 2.5-320 scientific camera offers flexible SWIR imaging up to 2.5 µm and can be used in art inspection, R&D, hyperspectral imaging, semiconductor inspection, and thermal imaging of hot objects in the 200°C to 800°C range. The Gobi-640-GigE high-resolution uncooled thermal camera can be used in medical imaging, lock-in thermography in nondestructive testing, temperature measurement, quality control and assurance, and real-time process control and monitoring applications. The Lynx 40-kHz high-speed SWIR line-scan camera can be used for applications involving food inspection, machine vision, linescan imaging, remote sensing, and space and airborne observation of the earth. This extremely sensitive line-scan camera is designed to make ultra-precise measurements. Lastly, the world's fastest InGaAs camera was on display. The Cheetah 640-CL offers crisp motion analysis for OCT, R&D, wavefront sensing, hyperspectral imaging, low-light-level spectroscopy, situational awareness systems, semiconductor failure analysis, and thermal imaging of fast, hot objects.

B&W Tek
B&W Tek stayed busy throughout the show with their Sol series of spectrometers, catering particularly to the interest of attendees working in process monitoring, NIR spectroscopy, quality control, material identification, and biological applications. The Sol series of NIR TE-cooled InGaAs array spectrometers feature various pixel counts and TE cooling ranges while providing high throughout and large dynamic range. Each model features an SMA 905 fiber optic input, a built-in 16-bit digitizer, and is USB 2.0 plug-and-play compatible. Three models are available: the Sol 1.7, the Sol 2.2A, and the Sol 2.6.

Edmund Optics
Edmund Optics shared their optical expertise with many attendees. Some attendees were pleasantly surprised to discover how easy it is to build a customized system using Edmund Optics' off-the-shelf components. With more than 25,500 products available through the catalog, customers can design customized systems quickly and efficiently. In addition, Edmund Optics' design and manufacturing expertise allows them to provide outstanding customer support in selecting the right parts for every application.

Jenoptik
Plenty of Jenoptik staff were available to discuss micro-optics, classical optics, and polymer optics and systems. State-of-the-art fabrication processes give Jenoptik's line of micro-optics the ability to offer a range of diffractive, refractive, and hybrid micro-optics from the deep UV through the long-wave infrared. Attendees with a need for optics for precision measurement, analysis, structuring, and processing with light were particularly interested in Jenoptik's polymer optics. Jenoptik's robust product line can be used in several applications ranging from life sciences, defense and security, lighting and energy, and more.

Qioptiq
Qioptiq drew a lot of attention, not only with a stunt kite giveaway, but also with an impressive display of their research laboratory products, including bench optomechanics, mirror mounts, positioners and holders, and coatings samples. The most notable product introduction for Qioptiq on display was the new iFlex Gemini Fiber-Coupled Laser. This new fiber-coupled laser is ideal for DNA screening and plate reading in bioresearch applications, and autofocus in semiconductor equipment in industrial applications. The Gemini contains two lasers of varying wavelength, which can be independently delivered or combined through the patented kineFlex Fiber Beam delivery system. Because the Gemini is a fiber-coupled laser, it produces less jitter.

SCHOTT North America
For attendees that work in thermal imaging for military and homeland security, night vision systems, and remote sensing applications, SCHOTT's IR materials capabilities were on display. SCHOTT's ZERODUR Zero Expansion Glass-Ceramic had its own display case, drawing the eyes of attendees working in astronomy. Those who work in medical, imaging, surveillance, and industrial applications were drawn to SCHOTT's optical filters display. Some attendees who were already familiar with SCHOTT's product line were pleasantly surprised to hear the news that their Chalcogenide glasses are now being produced in the U.S. With all of the diverse applications their products can cover, SCHOTT seemed to have something for everyone.