Wafer Probing and Photonics Testing at Production-Level

Active Alignment for High Duty Cycles

Silicon photonics plays a crucial role in the advancement of cutting-edge technologies such as quantum computing, nanosatellites, light detection and ranging (LIDAR), or optical logic, as well as in improving data processing, storage, and transmission. These technologies place many challenges on test and packaging processes, especially when it comes to the alignment of fiber optic devices in high volume production environments with high cleanliness requirements.

PI offers advanced motion solutions for fast, 24/7, automated operation based on different motor, guiding and sensor technologies. Complemented by unique proprietary alignment algorithms for the parallel optimization of any figure-of-merit, the solutions can increase throughput by a factor of more than 100.

Key Features of the Motion Solution

Production class automated photonics alignment
Increase in throughput by a factor of 100
Reliable performance during 24/7 operation
Suitable for extremely clean application areas
Lowest cost of ownership
Optimization of any figure-of-merit

XYZ Axis – Fiber-to-Fiber or Fiber-to-Waveguide Alignments

Friction- and maintenance-free air-bearing design for 24/7 high duty cycle applications
Voice coil direct drive motor for smooth operation, high dynamics and fast step-and-settle
Integrated linear encoders for accurate positioning
Innovative and compact XYZ design for space-saving integration
Integrated Z-axis counterbalance enables vertical operation with minimal impact on stage's form factor

θZ Axis – Precise Rotational Positioning of Photonic Devices

Highly accurate and repeatable 360° rotation without backlash
Direct-drive motor technology enables smooth and precise operation without cogging
Brushless torque motor for high dynamics
High-precision absolute or incremental encoder options
Low-profile design for space-saving integration

User-Friendly and Flexible Automation Control

High-performance industrial controller with onboard ACS-based alignment algorithms
Proprietary firmware provides fast area-scanning algorithms for first light detection, as well as gradient and centroid algorithms for peak coupling
Software support for common operating systems, as well as for many programming languages including MATLAB , Python, C# and NI LabVIEW