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Optics technology is progressing in all areas. From advancements in lens design that are reducing the space required for camera lens assemblies to more efficient LED based edge lighting technology, optics capabilities are improving at a rapid rate.
Moritex (Cambridge, UK), an international manufacturer of high performance optical lenses and illumination systems for wide-ranging machine vision and inspection applications, has announced new additions to its range of prism adapters. Designed for use with Micro Machine Lenses (MML), Moritex prism lens adapters enable manipulation of the optical axis. In applications where there is little space above the object, Moritex's side-looking prism adapters enable the optical axis to be turned through 90 degrees overcoming the space limitations. To enable narrow pitch marks within a small area to be recognized (mark recognition) a range of optical axis pitch conversion prisms are available to decrease the pitch between two MML lenses. New prism adapters are available that provide two optical views with different focusing. Standard prism adapters are available for 16mm, 18mm, 25mm, 35mm and 37.5mm diameter lenses. Moritex also can supply custom designed prism adapter units, with adjusting CCD cameras and optical unit positions.
Moritex MMLs are ultracompact, low-mass lenses that are recognized as a high-performance benchmark for applications including machine vision alignment, image gauging and surface inspection. Moritex MMLs are telecentric lenses that maintain a constant view angle to the subject. www.moritex.com
Ocean Optics, Inc. (Dunedin, Fla.), a diversified spectroscopic instrumentation and electro-optics manufacturing company, has available a full range of precision optics capabilities based on its proprietary Dichroic Filter Array™ (DFA) technology. Applications include anti-reflective and other optics for medical, ophthalmic, biological and laser applications.
Dichroic Filter Arrays are high-precision optical filters that selectively transmit light according to its wavelength. The Ocean Optics DFA technology combines modern optical thin film deposition techniques with microlithographic procedures —such as used in semiconductor processing—to deliver micron-scale precision patterning of dichroic coatings on a single substrate. With this process, many applications are achievable. For example, multi-layer RGB filters or multi-layer filters in an unlimited number of colors can be produced as a single filter array for devices such as CCD camera detectors and liquid-crystal display (LCD) panels. In fact, coatings can be optimized for use with liquid crystal and bonding materials, can be produced in reflective or antireflective matrices, and can be deposited to customer-specified substrates.
Dichroic coatings are robust, with high environmental resistance to humidity and temperature, as well as mechanical resistance to shock and vibration. www.OceanOptics.com.
Resolve Optics Ltd. (Bucks, UK) has developed a comprehensive range of non-browning (radiation-resistant) lenses for use in radioactive environments.
All Resolve Optics non-browning lenses are designed to withstand a total radiation dose of 100 million rads and temperatures up to 55 degrees centigrade without discoloration. Drawing upon more than 15 years of experience designing and supplying lenses and lens systems for radioactive environments, Resolve Optics has developed a range of fixed focus and motorized zoom non-browning lenses. The company also is able to provide high performance non-browning lens to meet exact customer specifications. Compact in design, Resolve Optics' fixed-focus non-browning lenses range from 6mm to 25mm in focal length with fields of view up to 108 degrees. All fixed-focus Non-Browning Lenses provide high image resolution and minimum geometric distortion from 400 - 750 nm. Resolve Optics range of high-performance fixed-focus Non-Browning Lens have been designed for use with 1-inch and 2/3-inch CCTV cameras as well as Newvicon and Chalnicon tubes in a variety of nuclear monitoring applications. Resolve Optics 6:1 and 3:1 zoom lenses are characterized by their compactness, high resolution and focus tracking throughout the zoom range. Most zoom lenses can be supplied in non-motorized or motorized formats and in materials to suit the widest range of applications. For space-restricted applications Resolve Optics offers the type 207 range that probably is the smallest stand-alone high performance zoom lens currently commercially available. www.resolveoptics.com
Olympus Life and Material Science Europa GmbH (Hamburg, Germany), has introduced a Multiphoton deep fluorescent imaging system. Based on the Olympus FluoView FV1000 confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (cLSM), the MPE system is available in three models. Each model incorporates Olympus's market leading components, such as the UIS2 optics including among others well-known long working distance water-immersion objectives. The systems are fully configured to ensure excitation efficiency and thus imaging hundreds of microns deep into a specimen becomes possible.
Each of the three models in the Olympus FV1000MPE range uses IR femtosecond pulsed lasers and non-descanned detectors to cover every multiphoton excitation imaging requirement. The entry level model is designed to achieve maximum penetration depth with minimal complexity. The advanced models offer IR laser attenuation via an acousto-optical modulator (AOM). This enables the use of all the sophisticated scanning and laser control modes of the FV1000, such as "region of interest" imaging and fly-back beam blanking. The carefully designed laser introduction path with AOM laser control provides negative-chirp laser beam conditioning for the optimum fluorochrome excitation efficiency in MPE applications. This produces a pinpoint photon density precisely at the focal plane in the specimen with minimal damage or photobleaching to living cells.
The third model incorporates the unique SIM scanner, available for the Olympus FluoView FV1000. This system provides an independently controllable, fully integrated second IR laser for simultaneous multiphoton imaging and multiphoton laser manipulation.
In multiphoton microscopy, fluorescence molecules and proteins absorb the energy from multiple photons, carefully targeted to arrive simultaneously at the focal layer in the focus point of the objective. As a result the specimen emits a fluorescence signal as if it had been excited by a single photon of double (or triple) the photon energy, but only in the excited focal layer. One of the main advantages of the Olympus FV1000MPE systems is the design of the complete optical light path ensuring best excitation efficiency with pulsed IR laser light and sensitive signal detection. Non-descanned detectors are used to acquire the maximum amount of the fluorescence emission. The detector module is positioned close to the objective, maximising the detection efficiency, since there is no need for the signal emitted from the excited focal layer to pass through a pin-hole. As a result, Olympus multiphoton systems enable researchers to achieve in vivo optical sectioning deep into a sample without causing significant photobleaching or phototoxicity. www.olympus-europa.com
Schneider (Hauppauge, N.Y.) has introduced the Apo-Componon CPN 90mm f4.5 lens with a magnification ratio from 0.2x to 0.4x. Along with their Makro-Symmar lenses, Schneider now offers five lenses for next-generation camera systems.
The focal length of the new lens reduces required working distance, decreasing the space required for camera-lens assemblies. Now system designers can make machines smaller and more stable, with less concern for vibrations and temperature drift.
The lens speed increases image brightness and reduces system costs for illumination assemblies.
Like all Schneider l2k Line Scan lenses, the new 90mm lens features Schneider's unique iris locking mechanism and robust design to ensure reliable and precise measurements even in high-vibration environments. All Schneider 12k Line Scan lenses come with the "best average azimuth" position marked on the lens body. Users can compensate for all residual asymmetric tolerances by using this mark to align the lens with the line sensor.
Image circles of up to 90mm improve productivity in surface and web inspection processes using 8k and l2k cameras having 5-micron pixel size and up to 62mm sensors. www.schneiderindustrialoptics.com
JENOPTIK AG's (Jena, Germany) VarioCAM® high resolution camera offers an ease of use due to various integrated additional functions and a comfortable self-fixing bayonet catch with which the lens can easily be replaced using one hand. High value has been placed on the ergonomic design: only 1.5 kg light, compact and equipped with a special support for the hand heel, the camera has been especially designed for the fatigue-free operation with one hand.
The fields of application for VarioCAM® high resolution are found in industrial research and development, electronic and semiconductor industry, process monitoring and preventive maintenance. The new thermographic camera VarioCAM® high resolution will be exclusively distributed by Coastal Optical Systems, Inc. (www.jenoptik-ir.com) in North America, by Japan Laser Corp. (www.japanlaser.co.jp) in Japan and by InfraTec GmbH (www.infratec.net) in Germany, Europe, Asia and all other countries. www.jenoptik-los.com
When used with an IR LED illuminator, the CS8620Hi near-IR RS-170 analog camera from Toshiba-Teli (Irvine, Calif.) will achieve highly detailed surface inspection of superficial irregularities, blemishes or defects not easily observed in the visible spectrum.
Ideal for factory automation, image measurement, and various machine vision applications, the CS8620Hi features a 380,000-pixel (EIA) CCD that attains a horizontal resolution of 570TV, ensuring high-quality images of high density with less moiré fringes, along with superior sensitivity in both visible and near infrared (NIR) spectrums.
The miniature package measures just 29mm x 29mm x 32mm, freeing the integrator of space restriction problems. The integrated body, composed of a camera-head part and a CCU part, is designed to be light and compact (50g).
DIP switches on the back panel allow the CS8620Hi to be configured in many different modes. It comes provided with the random trigger shutter mode (RTS mode) and special shutter mode (SS mode) to capture images cued by external trigger input. It also is equipped with AGC function, enabling it to obtain optimal images constantly even when the amount of incoming light fluctuates. www.toshiba-teli.com.
Modular edge lighting utilizing patented MicroLens™ light extraction technology from Global Lighting Technologies (Brecksville, Ohio) provides the most efficient LED-based edge lighting technology available for today's flat panel displays.
The MicroLens™ concept brings molded-in optics, higher brightness (more output/watt), thinner construction and a scalable design to illumination of LCDs from less than 1 inch to more than 50 inch diagonal, using high-brightness LEDs (HBLEDs) as the light source. GLT's MicroLens™ molded light guides enable outstanding edge-lit backlighting performance, and they can reduce the high cost, thickness and power consumption associated with traditional direct backlighting methods that use an LED array under the display.
MicroLens™ edge lights, according to GLT, provide exceptional output and uniformity and can be used with a wide range of LED light sources, including RGB and white phosphor LEDs. MicroLens™ light guides can be designed for applications requiring extreme thinness, and currently are being developed in sizes less than 0.5 mm thick. GLT provides fully integrated edge-lighting modules with LEDs, films, flex circuit or PCB with connector, and MicroLensTM light guide. With mechanical holding features that can be designed into the backlight, or onto a custom-designed backlight frame, MicroLens™ edge-lighting modules are designed for easy integration into the host application.
Applications include LCD and keypad backlights for mobile phones, MP3 players, camcorders, digital cameras, PDAs, GPS devices, handheld games, portable DVD players, scanners, automotive interior displays, programmable touch screen thermostats, home security system controllers, fish finders, instrumentation and control displays, handheld, notebook and desktop computers, and LCD TVs. www.glthome.com.
Deposition Sciences, Inc. (Santa Rosa, Calif.), manufacturer of highly durable thin film optical coatings and specialized coating deposition services announces two new additions to their advanced HeatBuster™ hot mirror product line. Innovative HeatBuster Xenon and HeatBuster UV Xenon hot mirror filters are designed to work with xenon lamps and feature enhanced blocking in the spectral band between 800 nm and 950 nm where the heat output from the lamp is the greatest.
Developed to withstand heat efficiently and offer ultra high durability, both HeatBuster hot mirror filters have high transmission in the visible spectrum. HeatBuster Xenon also blocks the ultraviolet portion of the spectrum while HeatBuster UV Xenon transmits the UV portion of the spectrum down to 340 nm.
HeatBuster Xenon is ideal for use at the exit of a xenon lamp to protect downstream components from the heat and UV from the lamp. HeatBuster Xenon also can be used as a filter for a CMOS chip. Blocking the "noise" of the ultraviolet and near-IR, HeatBuster UV Xenon is useful in many UV curing systems and biofluorescence applications. The filter blocks the infrared heat of the source and allows the fluorescence and curing wavelengths of the spectrum to pass through.
StockerYale (Salem, N.H.) Focusable LED Spot Projectors are high-intensity LED spotlights designed to replace conventional halogen point-sources as well as fiber optic illumination solutions. Compact and lightweight in design, these illuminators have been designed to provide a range of spot diameter possibilities at various working distances by adjusting the focusing knob located on the body of the module. www.stockeryale.com/leds
author: By Allison Niles