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2
Editorial
Content
Insight
Welcome to the New Qioptiq! | Page 4
Special
LINOS Catalog now unter Qioptiq „flag“
High-quality standard components –
made in Germany | Page 5
Dear Readers,
To serve you better, with an even
broader range of products and
services being offered in more
countries, the 2.300 people of
Qioptiq based across North America,
Europe and Asia will now be working
even more closely together, under
one name and one logo. As part of
this plan, LINOS and Point Source will
be changing their names and logos
to the Qioptiq name and logo.
Of course, some things won´t change:
the LINOS catalog including its full
range of sophisticated photonic
solutions will still be available for
you. Read more about the LINOS
catalog in this edition of Optolines.
Furthermore, we are happy to
present you our first issue of our
customer magazine Optolines in the
new Qioptiq style.
With this special edition of
Optolines we offer you a collection
of our most popular articles about
customer applications. Read more
about our optics in laser surgery
applications,
our
sophisticated
solutions for particle detection in
cotton fiber production or find out
more background about lightning
in machine vision applications in this
issue.
To conclude, we wish you a very
happy and successful 2010 and
look forward to continuing and
expanding our cooperation!
Sincerely,
John Lowe
General Counsel and
Director of Communications
Special
New standard products for LINOS
Catalog | Page 7
Basics
Light sources:
Industrial image processing | Page 9
Check Up
Application note:
Case Study by NIH of a 5-line iFlexViper™ | Page 12
Innovas
Optical systems in laser surgery:
Femtosecond laser as scalpel | Page 14
Innovas
RGB camera module for particle
detection: Quality assurance | Page 18
Innovas
Laser Laboratorium Goettingen (LLG)
sets new standards:
Raman spectroscopy | Page 20
Innovas
Braod range of specialized applications:
OPTEM™ Zoom Lenses | Page 23
Check Up
Project SUNRISE at MPS KatlenburgLindau:
Unobscured view of the sun | Page 25
LINOS Live
Trade show preview 2010 I LINOS
Catalog 2010 | Page 27
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Insight
NEW NON-CONTACT VISION
METROLOGY SYSTEMS LAUNCHED
At the beginning of September, the
company launched its new range of
Vision Metrology Systems in the U.S. at
the Quality Expo 2009 and Europe at
VISION Show in November.
With
unmatched
measuring
productivity, the Fetura™ Vision
Metrology System (VMS) is
used for automated
off-line, non-contact
dimensional and
surface measurement
in the quality
assurance of
precision fabricated
parts. It is
typically used
in a variety
of markets
including
healthcare,
automotive
and consumer
electronics.
The system expands the boundaries
of non-contact measurement with
cutting-edge hardware and innovative
software. Combining state-of-the-art
stage mechanics with the world’s fastest
optical zoom imaging technology,
Fetura VMS delivers unprecedented
throughput
and
dimensional
measurement productivity.
The relocation of the
machinery was made
possible through assistance
from the Welsh Assembly
Government. It provides
increased capabilities for
Qioptiq, which now has
600 employees based in
North Wales of whom
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Fredrik Arp joins Qioptiq as Chairman
and CEO
In January, Qioptiq announced that after
ten years as its CEO, Benoît Bazire has left
the Group in agreement with Candover,
the principal shareholders, to pursue
alternative
business
opportunities.
Qioptiq, which was formerly known
as High Tech Optics, was acquired by
Candover and its management in a
buyout from Thales in December 2005.
Mr Bazire will retain an economic interest
in Qioptiq.
MELTER BRINGS WORLD
BEATING CAPABILITY
Qioptiq’s new Melter which was relocated
from the old, now demolished Pilkington
site in St Asaph is the only one of its kind
in Europe capable of producing ultra
thin glass for the global satellite market.
The glass is produced using cutting edge
technology at temperatures of 13,000
degrees Celsius, more than twice the
surface temperature of the sun. Some
of the glass produced is so flexible it can
be bent in half without
breaking.
WELCOME
20 are involved with the new melter.
Dave Hughes, General Manager for
Qioptiq Space Technology stated, “This
is a real success story; not only does it
give Qioptiq a world beating capability,
it also gives the local workforce a sense
of security and pride.”
Mr Bazire will be replaced by Fredrik Arp
who joins the company as Chairman and
CEO, effective immediately. Fredrik Arp:
„I look forward to leading what I believe
to be an impressive and well-positioned
company in the future. By way of my
background you should know that I have
held senior executive positions in large
global companies for the last 20 years,
most recently as CEO and president of
the Volvo Car Corporation, and before
that as CEO of Trelleborg AB, and PLM
AB, now part of Rexam plc.“ In addition,
Fredrik Arp has held numerous board
positions in companies operating across
a variety of sectors such as medical
technical products, branded capital
goods and technologies and systems
suppliers. He received a Bachelor of
Science in Business and Economics, as
well as being a Doctor in Economics h.c
from the University of Lund in Sweden.
Since 2004 he has been involved with
Candover in various portfolio company
roles, and acted as a Senior Advisor to
Candover in the Industrials sector.
3
4
Insight
Come to the Q!
Booth 1523, South Hall
Welcome to the new Qioptiq!
Our strength and our differentiator is our broad offer: No matter what our customers‘ problem is, no
matter what they need: if it involves photonics, then Qioptiq can help. In 2010, to serve you with an even
broader range of products and services in an even wider selection of countries, the Qioptiq‘s 2,300 people
across North America, Europe and Asia will be working even more closely together, under one name and a
new logo and style.
Qioptiq designs and manufactures
photonic products and solutions that
serve a wide range of markets and
applications in industrial manufacturing,
medical & life sciences, laboratories, R&D
centers, universities, defense and aerospace.
work on a plan to boost the synergies
between Qioptiq’s different business
units and geographical regions. The
goal? To better serve customers and
make it easier for companies to do
business with Qioptiq.
Qioptiq was created 2005, when
Candover, an international private
equity firm, acquired the High Tech
Optics business units of Thales. In
2007, Qioptiq finalized their acquisition
of LINOS, renowned manufacturer
of sophisticated photonic systems
headquartered in Germany; and in
2008, the group acquired Point Source,
world leader in flexible laser technology
for precision optical instrumentation.
For the past few years, Qioptiq has
operated as an international network of
companies. Both LINOS and Point Source
continued to do business under their
own names and logos.
One of the more visible aspects of this
new focus is a brand new visual identity
for all of Qioptiq – including LINOS and
Point Source, who will be changing their
names and brands to come together
under the new flag of the new Qioptiq.
More synergies to serve you better
However, in 2009, the members of
Qioptiq’s global leadership team began
Preview at Photonics West
Although Qioptiq’s global marketingcommunication team is targeting April
for the full launch of the new look,
the company is nevertheless taking
advantage of SPIE Photonics West in San
Francisco in January to give the world a
look at their fresh new style.
Qioptiq’s brochures and leaflets will
be changed over into the new look
progressively over the course of the year,
and the websites of all the members of
the Qioptiq group, including LINOS and
Point Source, will benefit from a major
relooking and overhaul designed not
just to reflect the new style, but more
importantly to make it easier for site
visitors to find what they are looking for.
Some things will never change
Of course, some things certainly won’t
change: Clients will still find all the
high-quality off-the-shelf components,
products and instruments that they are
accustomed to getting from Qioptiq,
LINOS and Point Source. They will still
find the custom modules and assemblies
to integrate into their systems. And of
course, they will still find the leadingedge innovation, precision optical
manufacturing and responsive global
resourcing that the member of the
Qioptiq Group have been offering to
customers for years.
Discover the Q!
Qioptiq’s booth at SPIE Photonics West
calls out for its visitors to „Discover
the Q,“ and we also encourage the
readers of Optolines from medical and
life sciences companies, from industrial
manufacturing firms, from research labs
and universities, and from defense and
aerospace sector companies to recognize
Qioptiq as the premier one-stop source
for innovative photonics applications
and solutions of all kinds.
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Special
LINOS Catalog now under Qioptiq “flag”
High-Quality Standard Components –
Made In Germany
Quality pays for itself – a fact long recognized by LINOS Catalog customers in science and industry. For
decades Qioptiq has been supplying high-quality products that come from our own research, development
and production. The new international LINOS Catalog will be available in April 2010 – for the first time
under the new Qioptiq “flag”. User-friendly, clearly laid out, state of the art.
In addition to the more than 4000
standard products, in the LINOS
Catalog will be many new products
listed in its 850 pages as well. „With
detailed product information including
comprehensive specifications, numerous
application examples, cross referencing
and state-of-the-art user guidance,
the LINOS Catalog from Qioptiq will
be a reference work that will set new
standards,“ asserts Andreas Hädrich,
head of the Catalog Business Unit. The
LINOS Catalog top sellers are presented
in the following.
LINOS Microbench™
The original Microbench: Developed by
LINOS (known as Spindler & Hoyer at the
time) in 1968, now a classic in optical
experiment setups. It is perfectly suited
for all 2D- or 3D- structures, in forms as
compact as you like. The Microbench
features small dimensions and precise
centering, and is easy to set up as well as to
expand. It also features high mechanical
Just the way you want it: LINOS achromatic
lenses with a choice of focal lengths, mounts
and coatings
No 23 I 2010 optolines
stability and ease of operation. The highquality LINOS Microbench™ embodies
over 40 years of experience. Many
competitive products have appeared on
the market, reaffirming the excellence
of the Microbench concept, but none
approaches LINOS Microbench™ quality.
Today, with its broad range of optical
and mechanical components the LINOS
Microbench™ is a permanent fixture in
many optomechanical instruments.
Quality criteria:
Manufacturing excellence ensured
by high-quality, extremely durable
materials
Surface finishing with precision
anodizing
Narrow production tolerances
Constant system expan­sion with
new optical and mechanical
components
Compatibility to other LINOS
Catalog components guaranteed,
covering the entire Microbench
product range
Achromatic Lenses
Positive and negative focal lengths,
mounted and unmounted, a broad range
of quality anti-reflective coatings – with
all these options to choose from, you are
sure to find exactly the LINOS achromatic
lenses you need. The consistently high
imaging quality of LINOS achromatic
lenses is unparalleled, with a resolution
that borders on the theoretical diffraction
limit. Laser centering and constant
product monitoring and controls ensure
that even the highest quality standards
are met.
Quality criteria:
High-quality materials from
established manufacturers
Extremely narrow focal length
tolerance
Minimal chromatic longitudinal
aberration
Minimal spherical aberration
Minimal wave front distortion
Compatible with LINOS and other
bench systems
TMC Optical Benches
Put your experiments on a firm footing
with laboratory benches from TMC,
distributed by Qioptiq. TMC began
developing vibration-isolated tables 40
years ago. Today, TMC‘s technological
advances have made it a worldwide
leader. Qioptiq has been a distributor of
their optical benches in Germany and
Austria since 1989. The TMC selection
ranges from simple breadboards to
workstations, to complex coupled bench
systems. Cleanroom and antimagnetic
versions round out this line of durable
laboratory benches.
5
6
Special
Don‘t be fooled by their size:
NANO 250 Series laser modules are
powerful and long-lasting
Quality criteria:
Bench constructed entirely of steel
Patented CleanTop II process
Patented, high-precision, rugged
Gimbal Piston™ vibration isolation
system
STACIS® 2100: unique active
vibration isolation system
Best on the market in
performance
Ultralight design with
breadboards in the 75 series
NANO Series Laser Modules
The NANO 250 Series offers powerful,
adjustable laser modules in a compact
design. The high-quality NANO 250,
a product of renowned German
engineering, has a variable output
power of up to 450 mW that guarantees
virtually universal applicability. Long
service life, excellent beam quality and
trouble-free integration in the LINOS
Flat Rail System FLS 40 make it highly
versatile for use in science and industry,
as well as the medical sector.
Quality criteria:
Broad range of use thanks to
variable top output levels up to
450 mW, with a very compact
design
Active temperature regulation,
precision-stabilized
Divergence of less than 0.8 mrad,
TEM00
IP67 protected housing
Micro-processor controlled laser
power supply with operating
status indicator
Optional fiber coupler
Horizontal, vertical or diagonal
mounting on breadboards marked
in inches and metric units
Manufactured under fully climatecontrolled cleanroom conditions
Laser modules sealed in protective
atmosphere
Coated Optics
Laser mirrors, filters, beam splitters and
anti-reflective coatings: the broad range
of LINOS coatings can meet even your
most stringent standards. If you cannot
find what you need for your application
among the LINOS standard coatings,
our experts will be glad to help you
in developing a special coating. The
combination of various production
technologies and many years of
experience among our staff guarantee
that a number of solutions will be found
for implementing your ideas. Constant
quality control means you can plan for
the future with confidence, even for
large series.
Quality criteria:
Customer-specific optical design
Job coatings
Qioptiq´s own production
High optical performance coatings
of the best possible quality
Long service life
Low costs
Heat resistant up to 300 °C
Excellent reflectivity
Resistant to ambient conditions
High damage threshold
Contact: [email protected]
Qioptiq offers a variety of coatings
for optics. Customized coatings are
possible as well
Vibration-isolation for
performing experiments –
optical benches from TMC
make it possible
Endless combination possibilities:
Microbench™ is the classic in the LINOS
catalog product range
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Special
New Standard Products for LINOS
Catalog
The new international edition of our LINOS Catalog is scheduled for April 2010. In the meantime, have a
look at our various new sophisticated photonic products. Please find more information on our homepage
http://www.linos.com/pages/home/new-products/.
LINOS Flat Rail System 65
The FLS 65 Flat Rail System is the latest
addition to our comprehensive line of
rail systems. With its width of 65 mm,
the FLS 65 fills in the gap between the
FLS 40 and FLS 95. In conjunction with
LINOS assembly elements, FLS 65 lets you
install mounted optics with a diameter
of up to 2“ on the rail. The optical axis
of the overall system is 65 mm.
Excellent straigthness, low
distorsion
Bearing surfaces
Slotted holes for inch and metric
optical tables
Material: Aluminum
Example: FLS 65 with optic holders
Sapphire Windows Standard Quality
Plane plates made of optical grade
sapphire without visible inclusions,
bubbles, strias and colorations
precise tiltfree guidance.
The XYZ-Fine adjustment unit is
equipped with three stainless steel fine
adjustment screws with 0.25 mm pitch.
The screws have an internal hexagon
socket, three knurled knobs will be
delivered with the unit.
Orientation: (0001) c-plane
Total wavefront distortion: λ / 4
Parallelism ≤ 5‘
Customised rectangle sapphire plane
plates are available on request.Maximum
and minimum dimensions are:
Length x width x thickness:
6 - 130 mm x 6 - 20 mm x 1 - 10 mm
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Sapphire Windows High Quality
Plane plates made of optical grade
sapphire without visible inclusions,
bubbles, strias and colorations.
Orientation: (0001) c-plane
Total wavefront distortion: λ / 8
Parallelism: ≤ 5‘
Customised rectangle sapphire plane
plates are available on request. Maximum
and minimum dimensions are:
Length x width x thickness:
6 - 130 mm x 6 - 20 mm x 1 - 10 mm
Low-Power Faraday Isolators:
Expansion of LINOS’ Faraday
isolators product range
For laser applications with low power
intensity, LINOS expands the existing
product portfolio of single stage Faraday
isolators.
The Low-Power series is designed for the
main wavelengths of 630nm, 680nm,
780nm, and 850nm. Using a rotatable
output polarizer, the Faraday isolators
can be precisely adjusted to a particular
wavelength adjacent to the design
wavelength.
Compact design:
41.2 x 40 x 40 mm3;
Ø 5 mm aperture
Isolation better than 38 dB
Transmission at design
wavelength better than 85%
Mounting via two M4 threaded
holes at the bottom side
7
8
Special
Optical contacted polarizing beamsplitter cubes
LINOS Microbench XYZ-Fine
adjustment unit
The LINOS microbench XYZ-Fine
adjustment unit enables a precise
adjustment of components within the
microbench cage system. The inner
diameter of 25 mm allows the use of
microbench mounted optics or elements
like pinholes or fiber connectors.
The travel in XY-direction is +/-1 mm.
In optical axis direction the travel range
is 5 mm. Crossed roller bearings ensure
precise tiltfree guidance.
The XYZ-Fine adjustment unit is
equipped with three stainless steel fine
adjustment screws with 0.25 mm pitch.
The screws have an internal hexagon
socket, three knurled knobs will be
delivered with the unit.
Three fine adjustment screws
with 0.25 mm pitch
(100 TPI)
Travel XY: +/-1 mm
Travel Z: 5 mm
Resolution: 1 µm
Optical contacted polarizing
beamsplitter cubes
LINOS polarizing beamsplitter cubes
are derived from a unique combination
of Ion-Beam-Sputtering coatings, ultra
precise fabrication capabilities and the
patent-pending, epoxy-free bonding
technology – Chemically Activated
Direct Bonding™ which results in a zerobondline thickness.
LINOS Achromats NIR
LINOS achromats are well established
due to their superior performance
– minimal longitudinal chromatic
aberration, spherical aberration and
wavefront distortion. To offer an even
more complete product spectrum new
NIR achromats are introduced.
Hyperchromatic Lenses
Chromatic aberrations in optical systems
generally lead to undesirable imaging
aberrations, and are usually suppressed
to a great extent through a carefully
chosen combination of optical media.
In a hyperchromatic system, on the
other hand, one chromatic aberration
namely the axial chromatic aberration
is maximized. Thus the longitudinal
chromatic aberration in such systems, far
from being an error, is exactly what gives
the hyperchromatic system its special
properties, opening up a wide variety
of application options particularly in the
field of confocal-chromatic metrology.
Optical bonding for epoxy-free
optical paths
High-energy laser-line and
broadband designs
Convenient 90° beam separation
Surface Flatness λ/10
Transmitted beam deviation
<0.9 mrad
Tight focal length tolerance
Damage thresholds > 2 kW/cm2 cw
(488/514 nm)
Damage thresholds > 200 mJ/cm2
for pulses of 10 ns (1064 nm)
All achromats and further detailed
information (e.g. center thickness,
glasses etc.) can be found in the database
of our Optics Software WinLens, please
look at www.winlens.de.
Excellent monochromatic imaging
performance
Spherical aberration and coma
corrected
Optimized for infinite object distance
Maximized longitudinal chromatic
aberration
Axial wavelength splitting
For use in confocal-chromatic sensors
Total transmission > 90% from
420 nm to 1000 nm
Contact: [email protected]
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Basics
Light sources
Industrial Image Processing
Many of the lighting techniques commonly in use today have their origins in microscopy. Today, thanks to
continual development over the years, they meet the stringent demands of industrial image processing.
This is due in large part to the advent of the ISO-9000 standards, in which industrial image processing
systems are used for quality assurance and documentation. Another area of application is in production,
where yield and costs have been optimized through automation; for example, in the manufacture of chips
for electronic equipment. The following outline is intended to provide assistance in selecting the best
illumination for vision sensor applications.
An image produced by a camera shows
the light reflected from an object onto
the camera‘s sensor chip. For subsequent
image processing, it is important that
the object shown in the image field
can be reproduced reliably and with
high contrast. Thus it is essential that
the illumination be optimized for the
reproduction of the object in question.
Homogenous and constant lighting of the
entire image field or object, independent
of the surrounding area, is prerequisite
for reproducible conclusions regarding
position, dimensions or quality. The size
and type of illumination are determined
on the one hand by the shape and size
of the reflective surface, and on the other
hand by the distance and angle to the
image field or object. Smooth surfaces
are simple to illuminate, unlike recesses or
indentations, for example, or cylindrical
or spherical surfaces. The task at hand
and the object‘s properties determine the
characteristics of the lighting. At the same
time, expectations regarding the service
life of the light source are higher than
ever. All in all, the wide range of lighting
characteristics such as the properties of
the light, the direction of the light source,
and the properties of the illuminated
field, yields a number of possibilities for
combination.
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Fig. 1: The four principal types of lighting: reflected light, transmitted light, bright field and
dark field
Lighting techniques
The four principal types of lighting –
reflected light, transmitted light, bright
field and dark field – all result from the
position of the camera and the lighting
relative to the object. Reflected light
and transmitted light can be used in a
light field or a dark field, just depending
on the object.
Reflected light
This type of illumination is used for the
most part in microscopy and in machine
vision applications. The light enters the
lens of the microscope directly. Reflected
light requires high-contrast objects on
which the illuminated surfaces appear
light in color on the image, while any
unevenness appears dark.
9
10
Basics
Ring light
Ring light illumination is ideal for
shadowless homogenous illumination
of objects with matte surfaces, or
surfaces that are not strongly reflective.
Auxiliary components can be added to
create diffuse, polarized lighting or a
light that excites fluorescence. (Fig. 2)
Directly reflected light
With this type of lighting, the object is
illuminated by flexible or semi-rigid fiber
optic cables. This method, too, is well
suited for objects with matte surfaces,
or surfaces with only weak reflection.
Flexible fiber optic cables in various
lengths are useful for illuminating areas
otherwise difficult to access. (Fig. 3)
Dark field illumination
This method offers the considerable
advantage that the object viewed is
illuminated from the side in front of a
dark background, so that only indirect
light, reflected from the object, enters
the camera. The result is an image
of a brightly illuminated object on
a black background. Optimum dark
field illumination can make details
visible that are otherwise difficult to
distinguish. This is particularly true of
smooth objects that have only very
subtle differences between high and
low points. Special ring lights, with a
single row of dark fields that radiate
approximately 85° to 90° to the optical
axis, can highlight such structures
extremely well. (Fig. 4)
Fig. 2: Shadowless illumination of a printed circuit board assembly
Fig. 3: Flexible fiber optic cables or steel probes for Inspection of bore holes
Fig. 4: Dark field ring light for detecting letters and engravings or making fingerprints visible
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Basics
Coaxial lighting
Coaxial lighting is required for objects
with mirroring or strongly reflective
surfaces. In a coaxial illumination
system, or CIS, the light is produced
by a diffuse light field and diverted to
the object by a 50 percent transmissive
mirror, so that the axis of illumination
lies precisely on the optical axis of
the camera. The advanced coaxial
illumination system (ACIS) uses diffuse
illumination as well. (Fig. 5)
Transmitted light illumination
Transmitted light or background
lighting is excellent for measuring and
monitoring contours. Background
lighting can also be used as a diffuse
vertical
illuminator.
Transmitted
illumination is set up exactly opposite
the optical system. The absorption of
the test piece effects a homogenously
bright, high-contrast image with nearbinary properties.
To help ensure that bright fieldtransmitted light illumination as
unaffected by contamination (dust)
as possible, the lighting should be
mounted at a distance from the test
piece that is more than 3 times the
depth of field. This ensures that even
large particles on the light emission
field are so far out of focus as to remain
invisible.
Polarized lighting
Unwanted reflections that occur
with the bright field-reflected light
method can be eliminated through
the use of polarizing filters. The
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Fig 5: CIS coaxial illumination / ACIS: advanced coaxial illumination for assembly testing with
ball bearings
oscillation of unpolarized light on
all oscillation planes is perpendicular
to the propagation direction of the
light. With a linear polarizer it can be
filtered so that it only oscillates in the
plane parallel to the transmission axis.
With a second polarizing filter – the
analyzer – placed directly in front of
the camera, the polarized light can be
absorbed completely by turning the
analyzer so that its transmission axis is
perpendicular to the first polarizer.
analyzer in the direction of the camera.
Thus by rotating the analyzer between
0° and 90° you can control the amount
of directly reflected light that passes
through the filter. This lets you adapt
the analyzer to prevailing lighting
conditions.
The author: Norbert Henze, is head of
Product Management BU Catalog at
LINOS in Germany.
Contact: [email protected]
In practice, polarizing filters can be
used to distinguish between direct and
diffuse reflection, because polarization
is maintained with direct reflections,
while diffuse reflections change
polarized to unpolarized light. Direct
reflections are generally disruptive,
because the intensity of the reflected
light makes evaluation of the object
difficult or even impossible.
Polarized light from direct reflection
is absorbed by the analyzer, once it
has been rotated 90°, while diffuse
reflected light passes through the
11
12
Check Up
Application note:
Case Study by NIH of a 5-line iFLEXViper™ (iFLEX-Viper-RYBBV-1-0.7)
It is becoming increasingly apparent that for analytical instruments, the light source is becoming more of
a critical component. This article illustrates the results of a various tests using a Flow Cytometer, as an
example, and how Point Sources iFLEX-Viper™ is able to provide many advantages over conventional free
space lasers and complicated optics.
The flexibility of providing multiple
singlemode wavelengths (can be up to
5 different wavelengths) all focused at
the same target, fast switching between
wavelengths, the option of single or
simultaneous firing of lasers, flexibility
of upgrading lasers, are key factors all
of which the iFLEX-Viper™ can help
overcome.
population. The NIH analyzed this
mixture on their instrument and looked
at the ability of the cytometer to resolve
the dimmest bead population. The NIH
looked at the particles using the Viper
violet and the standard air-launched
violet and the particle resolution for both
laser sources is essentially identical.
Further tests at 405 nm were carried
out to analyze EL4 cells (a mouse tumor
cell line) labeled with three common
fluorescent probes for Flow Cytometry
Fig. 1: Integration of iFLEX-Viper™ into
BD Bioscience LSR II Flow Cytometer.
The following tests were carried out
by The National Cancer Institute (NIH),
Maryland, USA who integrated the
Viper into their BD Biosciences LSR II
Flow Cytometer (Fig. 1) and performed
a series of tests to compare the results
of the original lasers with the Viper as a
replacement.
Results at 405nm
The NIH used a Spherotech Rainbow
microparticle to assess the sensitivity
of the system. These are a mixture of
7 fluorescent beads with decreasing
intensities and one unlabeled bead
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Check Up
Cascade, Blue, Pacific-Blue and Pacific
Orange, detected through the indicated
detection filter. Again, the results for
iFLEX-Viper™ and air-launched lasers
were identical.
Violet laser again, analyzing EL4 cells
labeled with two quantum nanoparticles
- Qdot 585 and Qdot 800. Again,
essentially the same sensitivity. The NIH
also analyzed SP2/0 cells (another tumor
cell line) that expresses Cyan Fluorescent
Protein (CFP), a fluorescent probe that is
actually expressed from a gene inside the
cell. This is a different labeling approach
than the previous ones, where the NIH
attach the label to the outside of the cell.
Again, similar sensitivity.
Results from 561 nm
Spherotech
Rainbow
microsphere
analysis in the top row. The middle
and bottom rows show a variety of
fluorescent probes, labeling EL4 cells.
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Green-yellow laser again. Here the NIH
analyzed bacteria expressing a series
of fluorescent proteins (similar to Cyan
Fluorescent Protein above) that emit in
the yellow, orange and red range. The
561 nm laser is very useful for exciting
these red fluorescent proteins, which
have become very useful tools for
biomedical analysis. Identical results
were seen again.
Results from 440 nm and 642 nm have
been generated, but are not shown here.
Conclusions
In every case, the iFLEX-Viper™ offers
the same level of performance as the airlaunched lasers, but with the additional
benefits.
The author: Aleem Saleh, world wide sales
manager for Point Source.
Contact: [email protected]
All wavelengths follow
the same beam path & will
overlap at the same location
on the target.
All output beams are
Gaussian, diffraction limited,
spatially filtered, singlemode
and polarized.
When changing wavelengths,
no changes to the optical
beam path are required.
Fast switching between
wavelengths.
Lasers may be fired
sequentially or simultaneously.
Turn-key and “Out of the
Box” design with built in
capacity for future upgrades.
Easy to use and robust
kineFLEX™ fiber delivered
output with various
termination options to fit into
different microscopes and
instruments.
Only solid state lasers
are included to maintain
performance, quality and
reliability of lifetime.
Eliminate your overhead costs
of own laser module build
and integration
Lower cost of ownership with
the High Reliability iFLEXViper™ and ease of field
installable upgrades when
required.
13
14
Innovas
Optical systems in laser surgery
Femtosecond Laser
as Scalpel
Fig.2: Motorized lens for
use in X-ray imaging
Laser technology has long since become part of everyday life, not only in homes and industry, but in the
field of medicine as well. From operations on internal organs, to open or endoscopic surgery, to visioncorrection procedures, the laser has proved to be a versatile tool. Many of these procedures require optics
with exceptional properties. This article presents an example of an optical system developed by LINOS for
a specific surgical application.
The new Surgery Systems segment
of the LINOS Medical Technologies
business unit was established in 2000.
Up to that point, Medical Technologies
had been primarily an OEM supplier of
lenses for the leading manufacturers of
X-ray image intensifier systems. Since
then, Surgery Systems has developed
a wide variety of optical systems for
diagnostic and surgical techniques in
ophthalmology and general surgery. The
customer-specific systems implemented
include equipment for retina diagnostics,
high-precision ocular measurements,
corneal surgery with femtosecond lasers,
and resection of cancer metastases on
internal organs, to name just a few. The
following is a detailed description of a
femtosecond laser system for corneal
surgery.
Fig.1: Handpiece of the laser scalpel for surgery on internal organs
Femtosecond laser
Since the beginning of the decade,
femtosecond (FS) lasers have been used
routinely in place of blades to make
highly precise corneal incisions. The
most common application is opening the
cornea to gain access to the underlying
layers in preparation for subsequent
removal of tissue with an excimer laser
in the scope of a LASIK operation, short
for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.
The precision of the cuts and the quality
of the cut surface afforded by an FS laser
cannot be matched using a mechanical
microkeratome.
This high level of precision is made
possible by a special form of interaction
between the ultrashort laser pulse and
the tissue being treated. With ultraviolet
excimer lasers, the high-energy laser
pulses are absorbed directly in the
cornea surface and vaporize the tissue
there. The near-infrared light of the FS
laser, on the other hand, can penetrate
the corneal tissue without impediment.
These non-linear optical effects are
made possible by narrowing down
the laser focus to a diameter of just a
few micrometers, which increases the
light intensity. With pulses just 300
femtoseconds long, the laser light in the
direction of propagation is concentrated
on a length of only 90 micrometers. In
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Innovas
different laser designs: the first method,
illustrated on the left, depicts use of a
laser with a low repetition rate (50 KHz
- 200 KHz) and relatively high pulse
energy (approximately 1 µJ). Moderate
focusing forms a widely spaced series
of bubbles. On the right, a laser with a
high repetition rate (several MHz) and
relatively low pulse energy (several 10
nJ) uses strong focusing to form a tight
chain of bubbles.
Fig. 3: Interaction between an FS laser pulse and corneal tissue (right to left): laser focus ->
formation of plasma after non-linear absorption -> formation of shock wave -> formation of
cavitation bubble -> residual gas bubble
spite of the low pulse energy – between
a few hundred nanojoules and a few
microjoules – the peak output in the
laser pulse is about one megawatt. Once
the laser beam is spatially focused as
well, the electrical fields that result when
a laser pulse passes through the focus
are so strong that the molecules of the
tissue are ionized. When the threshold
intensity for ionization is reached, the
laser pulse is absorbed completely within
in a volume of a few cubic micrometers
at the point of interaction in focus, and a
plasma forms. The resulting shockwave
causes a cavitation bubble that collapses
almost immediately, leaving behind a
tiny gas bubble in the tissue. The area
of interaction is exactly localized to a
few micrometers, thanks to the minimal
depth of focus. The individual phases of
the interaction between ultrashort laser
pulses and tissue are illustrated in Figure 3.
Tissue perforation
To create a cut surface in the tissue,
the laser focus is moved through the
tissue along the desired location of
the incision, creating a series of gas
bubbles, or perforation, in the tissue.
The ophthalmic surgeon can then lift
the resulting corneal segment with a
spatula-formed instrument. This process
is illustrated in Figure 4, which shows two
ways of achieving the desired effect with
Optics for femtosecond laser systems
To transform the techniques described
above from exotic procedures into an
everyday addition to the ophthalmic
surgeon‘s range of tools, a complex
optical system had to be devised that not
only focuses laser light on the cornea,
but fulfills several other requirements as
well.
Large-aperture cutting optics
The primary requirement, naturally, is to
achieve the required quality of focus in
the tissue. Attaining a focus diameter
in the range of just a few micrometers
entails the use of large-aperture cutting
optics, with a numerical aperture in the
Fig. 4: Schematic diagram of laser incisions in the cornea with different parameters (left:
high-energy pulse with low repetition rate; right: low-energy pulse with high repetition rate)
No 23 I 2010 optolines
15
16
Innovas
Fig. 6: Laser as surgical instrument: a largeaperture LINOS cutting lens for focusing the
femtosecond laser on tissue
range between 0.2 and 0.4, depending
on the desired size of the cavitation
bubbles. For the optics designer, the
challenge lies in the need to achieve the
very small focus diameter, both evenly
over the entire operating field and to
various depths. The task of designing
optics that combine an extremely large
aperture with a large working area
can only be accomplished using the
latest methods in design optimization
and simulation. One decisive factor for
reproducible production of the optics is
proper tolerancing of the optical system.
A balance must be created between
optical design on the one hand and the
design of the mounts and the overall
system on the other, which calls for
a compromise between the range of
possibilities in manufacturing and the
requirements on the accuracy of the
individual components.
Optical design software
LINOS has the ideal tool for solving such
tasks: its own optical design software.
Furthermore, the centering tolerances
possible with LINOS‘s patented mount
technologies far exceed those that can
be achieved with standard procedures.
Figure 6 shows a section of the complex
cutting lens system developed at LINOS.
The cutting lens is just a small part of
the overall optical system. Not only the
focusing of the laser has to be highly
precise; the positioning of the laser
focus, too, must be extremely exact
and at the same time very fast. That is
why addressing the working area calls
for high-precision deflecting elements,
such as galvanometer mirrors or rotating
polygon mirrors, in order to scan the cut
surface with the laser beam, pulse by
pulse, along a pre-determined trajectory
and create a series of homogenous
bubbles in the tissue. Integrating these
deflecting elements in the system in
turn necessitates a number of optical
subsystems, to shape the laser beam
and transport it to the deflectors
through intermediate images, and all
the way to the cutting lens. To control
the resulting chain of tolerances, close
interaction between optical design,
system engineering, mechanical design,
production and quality assurance is
essential. The exemplary operating
procedures at LINOS, certified in
accordance with ISO 9001:2000 and ISO
13458:2003, guarantee that the highest
standards are reliably maintained from
the first prototype to serial production.
As an OEM supplier for the leading
manufacturers of ophthalmological
femtosecond laser systems, LINOS
produces both components and
subsystems for the entire optical beam
path – from laser to eye.
Conquering presbyopia?
The use of FS lasers in corneal surgery
has just recently been established, and
already the next application is about
to result in another new product:
an ultrashort pulse laser to correct
presbyopia in the eye‘s crystalline
lens. Presbyopia is caused by a loss of
elasticity in the lens, which occurs with
Fig. 5: Electron-microscope image of a corneal incision using a laser microkeratome
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Innovas
advancing age and is the reason virtually
everyone needs reading glasses at some
stage. Researchers at the Laserzentrum
Hannover (Hanover Laser Center) are
developing a procedure that involves
making precise incisions in a special
pattern in the volume of the lens, to
alter the biomechanics of the lens and
restore some measure of its original
elasticity. Figure 7 depicts treatment
of the lens with the femtosecond laser
(left) and the pattern of incisions, using
a rabbit eye as an example (right). The
ability to correct presbyopia would offer
countless people the promising prospect
of getting along without reading glasses
up to a very advanced age. The challenge
for LINOS as a manufacturer of complex
optical systems is to expand on their
considerable experience in refractive
corneal femtosecond laser surgery to
include treatment of the lens as well.
femtosecond laser systems for refractive
surgery and successfully established itself
as an OEM supplier. This makes LINOS
the ideal partner of medical equipment
manufacturers for future developments
as well, especially when it comes to
innovative optical systems precisely
tailored to specific applications.
We would like to thank the working
group headed up by Professor
Lubatschowski for the images in Figures
1, 2, 3 and 5.
The authors: Dr. Axel Kasper, Manager,
Business Development Surgery Systems at
OEM for Your
Application
Do you, too, have special
applications for which you
need a customized product?
If so, LINOS has the special
service you need: LINOS
works with their customers
to implement product ideas
and develop and produce
unique, specifically tailored
products, applying a wealth
of expertise in the process.
Contact us to put this OEM
advantage to work for you.
LINOS Munich
Contact: [email protected]
Conclusions
In the past few years LINOS has gained
comprehensive experience in the field of
Fig. 7: Femtosecond laser incision in the lens (left: focusing the laser on the eye; right: laser structured lens in a rabbit eye)
No 23 I 2010 optolines
17
18
Innovas
RGB camera module for particle detection
Quality Assurance
When processing cotton fibers, it is important that foreign particles are detected and removed with as
little loss of fiber as possible, to ensure optimum preparation for spinning. The new particle separator from
the Trützschler company in Mönchengladbach, SECUROPROP SP-FPO, features an illumination unit with
polarized light. The cotton fibers are transported past special cameras, which scan the fibers for foreign
particles. These cameras are made by LINOS.
Foreign particles in cotton processing
fall into two distinct categories: on the
one hand, there are particles that differ
significantly from the cotton in color,
contrast and structure. The second
category – usually polypropylene or
polyethylene film particles – is made up
of light-colored or transparent materials
which can hardly be distinguished
from the cotton by color, and are thus
invisible to conventional foreign particle
separators. The scanning cameras use
polarized light, taking advantage of the
physical properties of plastics to make
these materials appear in color. This
ensures reliable detection and removal
of such particles.
Color separation prisms
Conventional cameras with trilinear
sensors for red, green and blue are used
in many machine vision applications. A
color line camera with a trilinear sensor
is not practical for this application,
because the cotton fibers do not travel
at a unified speed over the entire
breadth of the scanning field, and the
individual color channels of the trilinear
sensor are spatially separated by some
30 µm to 40 µm, and the three channels
are not directed at the same point. This
is why it is essential to use a camera
system with color separation prisms.
LINOS as partner
Because the standard, commercially
available cameras with color separation
prisms cannot meet the special
requirements of this application,
Trützschler began searching for a
company to join them in developing
a customized camera system. They
found a partner in LINOS. Following
a feasibility study to determine the
precise
requirements,
Trützschler
decided to entrust the development of
the camera system to LINOS. One of the
main objectives in the development of
the system was a specially optimized
design to enable correction of the
optical imaging errors, or chromatic
aberrations, that occurred with the
3-channel prisms.
Produced by LINOS:
RGB camera for particle detection in cotton
fibers
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Innovas
Lateral chromatic abberation
In the various approaches for the
design, special attention was given to
lateral chromatic aberration, to ensure
that the three color channels were
focused on the same point. Just as
important is the position of the image
edge over the three colors, because
the edges must overlap within an
extremely narrow tolerance range to
enable sufficient reconstruction of the
object color without color fringes. In
this application, the appearance of
color fringes in the image indicates the
presence of foreign particles: objects
that are grayish-white appear in color,
and good cotton material is separated.
Another significant factor is the correct
execution of color separation in the
three-fold prism, thanks to dielectric
color separation layers. The quality
of the color separation layers has a
significant effect on the reconstruction
of an object‘s color from the three
color channels. Two color separation
layers are required in the system: The
first layer reflects blue and transmits
red and green, while the second layer
reflects red and transmits green. The
dielectric layers must have as steep an
edge gradient as possible. LINOS has
extensive experience in developing
this type of layered system. Multiple
simulation repetitions resulted in the
development of a suitable layer design.
Since the manufacture of customized
prism systems is also part of the daily
routine at LINOS, this important part of
the camera system was developed here
as well.
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Micrometer precision
Once the lens and prism system had
been defined and developed for the
application at hand, it was just a
matter of integrating these elements,
together with three linear sensors, in
a camera system. As described above,
the exact reproduction of color over
the entire image field is essential in the
implementation of this system. Thus
extremely strict specification of the
relative positioning of the three sensors
is necessary, because a misalignment in
either the lateral or transverse direction
of the cotton during inspection leads to
imaging errors, or color fringes. It was
necessary to position the three sensors
precisely and fasten them securely.
This enabled a positioning accuracy of
the three sensors to within < 2 µm, as
required by the tolerance limits. This
completed the development of the
customer‘s system, and nothing more
stood in the way of its production.
Complete solution from LINOS
The cameras were installed, adjusted
and secured entirely by LINOS,
using special tools and adjustment
software. The end product, delivered
to the customer, could be put to use
immediately.
The
authors:
Georg
Zeitelhack
and
Thomas Schäffler, Business Unit Vision
Technology at LINOS in Germany.
Contact: [email protected];
[email protected]
19
20
Innovas
Laser Laboratorium Goettingen (LLG) sets new standards
Raman Spectroscopy
Raman spectroscopy is an indispensable tool in chemical, biological and biomedical analysis. It provides a
high density of information regarding the chemical composition and molecular structure of the samples
tested. Until just a few years ago, prohibitively high cost of Raman spectrometers meant that these
instruments were found only in the research laboratories of large companies and research facilities.
Thanks to rapid developments in
the field of diode lasers and CCD
camera technology in recent years,
subassemblies are now available that
enable a more economically priced
construction of Raman spectrometers.
As a result, Raman spectrometers are
finding their way into market segments
where their use was simply not feasible
until today. In particular in the field
of process control in the chemical,
pharmaceutical and food industries,
as well as in small analytical and
research labs, completely new areas of
applications for this analytical tool are
opening up.
Tailored by LLG
The Laser Laboratorium Goettingen
(LLG) develops customized Raman
spectrometers and Raman microscopes
for applications such a those mentioned
above. To be able to respond as flexibly
as possible to customer‘s requests,
special emphasis is placed on the
modular design of the system. Ideally
this can be implemented through
the use of optical assemblies made
by LINOS, from the Microbench
system to the compact NANO
250-785-100-RAMAN-1N
Raman
laser module.
Fig 1: Raman expansion module for fluorescence microscope
Modular design
Figure 1 shows a fluorescence
microscope
with
an
integrated
Raman spectrometer, made at LLG
in their Photonic Sensor Technology
department. The housing has been
removed to allow a detailed view of
the components. This modular system
offers the considerable advantage
that a single instrument can be used
for both fluorescence microscopy and
Raman spectroscopy. Figure 2 shows
the prototype of a miniaturized system,
specifically designed for process control
applications, which can also be used
as a lightweight, portable system in
the chemical industry, for example
in incoming inspection and material
identification. Their modular structure
makes these instruments easy to adapt
for special customer requirements,
while at the same time achieving an
acceptable
compromise
between
spectral resolution, sensitivity and
overall cost.
Principles of Raman spectroscopy
The interaction of electromagnetic
radiation with matter produces various
types of scattering. A distinction is
made between elastic scattering, where
no energy is transferred between
electromagnetic field and matter, and
inelastic scattering, where energy is
transferred from the radiation field to
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Innovas
the matter or vice versa. This interchange
can only take place between defined
energy states of the molecules involved,
as predicted by quantum mechanics,
so that the inelastically scattered light
delivers a wealth of information about
the type and inner structure of the
material in question. The spectrum
of Raman scattering provides a kind
of fingerprint that serves both for
identification (qualitative analysis) and
for determining the concentration
of substances (quantitative analysis).
Spontaneous Raman scattering has a
low scattering cross section and thus
is typically very weak, which can cause
problems, in particular in the detection
of low concentrations in samples. Still,
there is strong interest in analyzing
complex
chemical
compounds,
especially in environmental diagnostics,
as well as in chemical, biological and
biomedical analysis, in some cases with
Fig 2: Prototype of portable Raman spectrometer
No 23 I 2010 optolines
very low concentrations. One solution is
provided by a physical effect discovered
back in 1974: surface enhanced
Raman scattering (SERS). This is a nearsurface process in direct proximity to
nanostructured precious metal surfaces,
and it amplifies the Raman scattering
by several orders of magnitude. The
irradiation of the electromagnetic field
excites the surface plasmons in the
metallic nanostructure, which – with
some local limitation – can intensify the
incident light and the Raman scattering
by several orders of magnitude.
Depending on the surface structure,
amplification factors of 105 to 108 can
be attained.
Preparing SERS-active substrates
For commercial use of nanostructured
SERS-active
substrates,
a
high
amplification factor, with as constant
a value as possible over the entire
substrate, is prerequisite. Of the SERS
surfaces published to date, only very
few meet this requirement. Researchers
at LLG have now succeeded in making
SERS substrates that provide higher
amplification factors than those
available commercially. These substrates
were presented to the public for the first
time at the „Laser World of Photonics
2009“ trade show, held in Munich. The
atomic force microscope (AFM) image
in Figure 3 shows the nanostructure
made by LLG.
Application examples
There are currently several research
projects in progress in the Photonic
Sensor Technology department at the
LLG, developing Raman spectroscopy
techniques and applying them to
address specific scientific questions.
One project involves the detection of
airborne explosives, in particular TNT
and TATP. In this context, cryogenic
enrichment methods are combined
with surface-enhanced Raman spectro
scopy to achieve the high sensitivity
required by this detection system.
This procedure is also useful for the
detection of chemical warfare agents,
combustion
markers
and
other
potentially dangerous materials. Other
projects examine complex aqueous
solutions, for example to identify and
quantify trace elements in a chemically
complex fluid matrix (e.g. waste water
or, in the field of biomedicine, any of a
number of bodily fluids, such as blood,
urine or saliva). The innovative feature
here is the coupling of electrophoretic
separation and enrichment processes
with the highly sensitive SERS
21
22
Innovas
detection technique. Figure 4 shows
the effectiveness of surface-enhanced
Raman spectroscopy in testing insulin
and insulin solutions.
Summary
In the research projects currently in
progress, scientific expertise at LLG
is bundled for application-specific
production
of
SERS
substrates,
separation and enrichment processes
(cryogenic and electrophoretic) and the
construction of high-sensitivity Raman
spectrometers.
Fig 3: AFM-image of SERS nanostructure
The authors: Dr. V. Beushausen, Dr. H.
Wackerbarth, K. Christou, A. Göhmann,
W. Hüttner, Laser Laboratorium Goettingen
(LLG)
www.llg-ev.de
Fig 4: (a) SERS-spectrum of dried 300 µM-insulin solution on
SERS-active surface, (b) on non-SERS-active surface, (c) Ramanspectrum of cristallin insulin
Fig 5: Lower detection range of insulin on a SERS-active surface
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Innovas
Broad range of specialized applications
OPTEM Zoom Lenses
Zoom systems, such as vario-systems and pancratic systems, enable continuous adjustment of focal length
and reproduction scale while maintaining the position of the image site. These are precisely the properties
of the versatile OPTEM™ brand zoom lenses from Qioptiq.
The special properties of a zoom system
are achieved by use of at least two lenses,
or lens groups, that can be moved along
the optical axis. The many basic types of
zoom system are distinguished from one
another by quantities of optical groups,
distribution of positive and negative
refractive powers among the groups,
and relative paths of motion. Typical
for all such systems is that one lens
group, called the variator, alters the
magnification while a second lens
group, the compensator, maintains the
constant position of the image plane
through compensatory motion.
Maintaining the image plane
There are two basic methods for
maintaining a constant image plane.
One is mechanical compensation,
in which the zoom groups perform
various movements that are not in
linear proportion to one another. This
compensation must be implemented
through the mechanical design with
non-linear curves. The other technique,
optical compensation, is a linear method
and involves moving both lens groups
together. In this case, the image plane
oscillates slightly around its nominal
position. With the right system setup,
however, this variation of the image site
is so slight as to be negligible in actual
use. An important characteristic of zoom
systems is the zoom factor, or variofactor, which describes the extent
to which the magnification
can be modified. For systems
with finite object and image
distance, this is calculated
Complete system: Zoom 125 Kit combined
with mount and LED light source
No 23 I 2010 optolines
from the quotient of maximum and
minimum magnification.
Sophisticated design
The design and correction of zoom
systems is particularly complex in
comparison to systems with fixed
focal length. It is essential to achieve
compromise and compensation for the
optical imaging quality over all zoom
positions. This is complicated because
the optical groups have different
imaging tasks to perform in every zoom
configuration. The goal of the correction
must be either to keep the change in
aberrations over the zoom range to a
minimum, or to compensate for them
between the groups.
OPTEM™ lenses from LINOS
Since 1980, Qioptiq LINOS Inc.
(formerly Amarel Precision Instruments)
has
manufactured
mechanically
compensated zoom lenses within
the Qioptiq Group. In addition to the
fundamental and extremely complex
development, the entire manufacturing
process from production and mounting
to quality control is carried out at
their location in Rochester, New York.
OPTEM™ lenses reach their customers
through various distribution channels
including direct sales, the Internet and a
worldwide network of distributors. The
2007 takeover of LINOS Photonics by the
Qioptiq Group opened up new European
23
24
Innovas
The 2160 Kit unites extremely good resolution and
depth of focus with an outstanding
magnification range of 16:1
markets for Qioptiq LINOS, as OPTEM™
zoom products were integrated in the
LINOS catalog. The primary contact for
these products and systems is European
Sales Manager Kai Masberg.
illumination options, from coaxial and
ring light illuminators with halogen
lamps (LED versions are available as
well), to gooseneck lamps for flexible
and easily customized lighting.
Meeting customers‘ needs
The production and sales departments at
LINOS work closely together, combining
OPTEM™ lenses with LINOS standard
components, to expand the range
of possibilities and meet virtually any
customer requirement. For example,
when it was seen that many LINOS
customers require not only a zoom
system but other components as well,
such as a rugged, economical mount
or special illumination equipment for
their particular application, this gave
rise to the concept of matching up
zoom systems with particular accessories
for distribution as kits, making it
easier than ever for customers to find
the equipment they need. The main
criteria in assembling these kits were
functionality, durability and user benefit.
Focus on OPTEM™:
Versatile zoom lens
Sophisticated design
Low aberration distortion
Comprehensive array of kits
and accessories
Now in the Online Shop, too
For your individual
applications
Contact: [email protected]
Online Shop: wide range
A clear and practical overview of product
specifications is available in the Online
Shop, where all the pertinent details are
presented in comprehensive product
descriptions and informative charts.
Zoom systems come preassembled and
thoroughly tested, so the kits can be
put into operation right away. Rugged
mounts are offered as well, tailored for
use with the X95 Profile system and
available in two versions: a plain mount,
and a mount with an XY stage from our
XY 85-25-S stage series. The selection is
rounded out by a range of time-tested
No 23 I 2010 optolines
Check Up
Project SUNRISE at MPS Katlenburg-Lindau
Unobscured View of the Sun
On 8 June, 2009, the SUNRISE balloon-borne solar observatory began an unusual 6-day journey from
Lapland to northern Canada. After six years of construction the ambitious SUNRISE project, initiated by
the Max Planck Institute for Solar Research (MPS) in Katlenburg-Lindau in cooperation with national
and international partners (see Optolines No. 14, page 16), climaxed in the first scientific flight of the
observatory. LINOS is one of the partners in this exciting project: Given LINOS‘s excellent reputation in the
field of solar physics, the MPS had no trouble placing its trust in LINOS to produce various special optics for
the observatory‘s light-distribution unit. A travelogue.
The largest of the three integration halls
at the Swedish space base ESRANGE,
located near Kiruna in Lapland, is
nicknamed „the cathedral“ and its
immensity exemplifies the dimensions of
the SUNRISE project. It is amazing to see
the observatory ready for flight after six
years under construction: seven meters
high, six meters wide, five meters deep
and 2.6 tons in weight. This leviathan
houses the largest solar telescope
ever to leave terra firma, escaping the
atmosphere of the Earth which obscures
the view of the sun. With a main mirror
aperture of 1 meter, it is large enough
to focus on even the smallest details of
the sun‘s surface. Telescopes like this
cannot utilize the full potential of their
optical qualities while located on the
Earth‘s surface, because the sun creates
excessive turbulence by exerting about
one kilowatt of power per square meter
on the telescope and the surrounding air.
It is especially difficult to maintain the
perfectly constant conditions necessary
to reach quantitative conclusions, with
the help of spectroscopic methods, about
solar magnetic fields. Magnetic fields are
regarded as the key to understanding our
own „local“ star (see Optolines No. 14).
Journey with a balloon
Maintaining constant conditions for
observation is usually the reserve of
satellites. The technological and financial
outlay necessary for transporting such
a large and complex observatory on a
satellite, however, are prohibitive. Thus
began the search for an alternative. In the
end, a balloon was devised to take the
SUNRISE observatory to the outermost
edge of the Earth‘s atmosphere, a
height of 37 kilometers. The view at that
altitude looks almost like outer space:
The sky is black, and over 99 percent of
the air that disrupts the view from the
Fig. 1: Launching the SUNRISE solar observatory. A truck-mounted crane anchors the gondola with the telescope, until the 300 meter long construction of parachute
and balloon is vertical. Then the balloon gently lifts SUNRISE to a height of 37 kilometers, and the 6-day flight to Canada begins. Photograph: K. Heerlein, MPS
No 23 I 2010 optolines
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26
Check Up
Earth‘s surface is below the telescope.
The balloon that will elevate the 2.6 ton
observatory to this height has a shell
consisting of 53,000 square meters of
polythene foil, which holds 3,000 cubic
meters of helium. At the outset it is still
very slack, but during the 2 hour trip in
the stratosphere, the steady drop in air
pressure causes the balloon to expand
to 300 times its original volume. Once it
reaches an altitude of 37 km, it attains its
final shape: a sphere with a diameter of
130 meters. At that height, the SUNRISE
is seized by the steady wind systems
that reign all summer at the North
Pole and can carry balloon westward
to Canada – or even around the globe.
West of Canada, however, the ratio of
land to water on the Earth‘s surface is
disadvantageous and could spell trouble
for the SUNRISE.
it is flown by helicopter to the nearest
airport. The hard drives and telescope are
undamaged. While the telescope makes
its long way back to Europe by ship, the
valuable data storage media are flown
home, accompanied by MPS staff.
Rejoicing at the Institute
Back in Katlenburg-Lindau, the tension
mounts: The scientists can hardly wait to
see the first pictures of the sun‘s surface,
taken by the SUNRISE. When the pictures
appear on the screen, the team rejoices:
The mission was a resounding success!
Dr. Achim Gandorfer, scientist on the
SUNRISE project at the Max Planck
Institute for Solar System Research (MPS)
in Katlenburg-Lindau
Contact: [email protected] /
www.mps.mpg.de
Landing in Canada
With its precious cargo – two pressurized
containers holding a wealth of scientific
data on 48 notebook hard drives – a safe
landing is essential. The order to land is
broadcast at 1:44 a.m. on 14 June. The
observatory had an unobscured view
of the sun for six days – and six nights
as well, since there is no sunset in the
polar regions. The signal to land triggers
an explosive charge that separates the
gondola, with its parachute, from the
balloon. The SUNRISE plummets toward
Earth. Not until 20 kilometers above the
ground does the parachute start to take
effect, but it finally sets the SUNRISE
down gently on Somerset Island. Five
days later the recovery team is at the
landing site. The team spends four days
taking apart the observatory, after which
Focus on the MPS
The Max Planck Institute
for Solar System Research in
Katlenburg-Lindau (Lower
Saxony, Germany) places
particular emphasis on studying
the surroundings of the Earth,
the planets and comets, as
well as the sun, its heliosphere
and their interaction with the
interstellar medium. The Sun
and Heliosphere Department
covers all areas of the latest
in solar research, from theory
to construction of spacebased research instruments.
In addition to the SUNRISE
project, the institute is working
intensely on planning the
instruments for cooperation in
the European Space Agency‘s
„Solar Orbiter“ mission.
Fig. 2: A view of the 1 meter main mirror of the SUNRISE telescope shows the enormous dimensions of
the solar observatory. The scientific instruments installed on the telescope analyze the sunlight and take
high-resolution pictures of the sun‘s surface. An optical image smoother is on board as well. The lightdistribution unit built at the MPS is made with special optics from LINOS. Photograph: K. Heerlein, MPS
No 23 I 2010 optolines
LINOS Live
Trade show preview 2010
Exhibitions
Location
Country
Date
Internet
Photonics West
San Francsico
USA
JAN 25-28
http://spie.org/x33511.xml
ASSP - Advanced SolidState Photoincs
San Diego, CA
USA
FEB 1-3
http://www.osa.org/meetings/topicalmeetings/ASSP/about/default.aspx
Medical Design &
Manufacturing WEST
Anaheim CA
USA
FEB 9-11
http://www.devicelink.com/expo/west10/
PMA
Las Vegas
USA
FEB 21-23
http://www.pmai.org/
UNIV Central FL - CREOL
Florida
USA
FEB 1
http://www.creol.ucf.edu/TheCollege/Events.aspx
DPG Tagung
Hannover
Germany
MAR 8-12
http://www.dpg-physik.de/veranstaltungen/tagungen/index.html
ECR
Vienna
Austria
MAR 4-8
http://www.myesr.org/cms/website.php?id=/en/ecr_2010.htm
Laser Shanghai
Shanghai
China
MAR 16-18
http://world-of-photonics.net/en/laser-china/start
DPG Tagung
Regensburg
Germany
MAR 21-26
http://www.dpg-physik.de/veranstaltungen/tagungen/index.html
LOB
Berlin
Germany
MAR 22-24
www.laser-optics-berlin.de
Control
Stuttgart
Germany
MAY 4-7
http://www.control-messe.de
AKL
Aachen
Germany
MAY 5-7
http://www.lasercongress.org/de/index.html
The Vision Show 2010
Boston MA
USA
MAY 25-27
http://www.machinevisiononline.org/public/articles/index.cfm?cat=127
SID 2010
Seattle
USA
MAY 23-28
http://www.sid.org/conf/sid2010/sid2010.html
Lasys
Stuttgart
Germany
JUN 8-10
http://cms.messe-stuttgart.de/cms/index.php?id=38233
Optatec
Frankfurt
Germany
JUN 15-18
http://www.optatec-messe.de/de/optatec
Int'l Symposium on
Molecular Spectroscopy
Columbus OH
USA
JUN 21-25
http://spectroscopy.mps.ohio-state.edu/symposium/index.html
Semicon WEST
San Francisco
USA
JUL 13-15
http://www.semiconwest.org/index.htm
IMTS - Int'l Machine Tool Show
Chicago, IL
USA
SEP 13-18
http://www.imts.com/
Photokina
Cologne
Germany
SEP 21-26
http://www.photokina.de/
AAO
Chicago
USA
OCT 16-19
http://www.entnet.org/annual_meeting/
Vision
Stuttgart
Germany
NOV 9-11
http://www.messe-stuttgart.de/VISION/
RSNA
Chicago
USA
NOV 28 - DEC 3
http://www.rsna.org/rsna/index.cfm
Watch out
for the new international LINOS
Catalog, coming in April 2010.
Register now:
www.linoscatalog2010.com
Imprint
Publisher:
LINOS Photonics GmbH & Co. KG,
Industrial Manufacturing Division
Königsallee 23,
37081 Göttingen, Germany
FON +49 (0)551/6935-0, www.linos.com
Editorial team:
Petra Aschenbach, Andreas Hädrich
© Design, layout and production:
abc cross media GmbH
Infanteriestraße 11a/Haus A1
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No 23 I 2010 optolines
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