Benchtop Microscopes

The benchtop microscopes offered by our partner VIAVI are used to examine the end faces of optical fibers and fiber connectors. The corresponding FiberChek software supports a standard evaluation and objectifies the test results.

To ensure an optimum illumination, the DScope features a Koehler light source. As a result, the microscope can be reliably used for large fibers with a diameter of up to 2 mm.

The digital FVDi benchtop microscope is used to evaluate the polished surfaces of connectors and fiber end faces. Equipped with cameras of the highest resolution, this microscope is ideally suited for subsequent inspection of high-quality end faces.

This sensitive unit reveals scratches that are not visible to the human eye, thus ensuring consistent results. Each defect and particle is detected and localized relative to the fiber core.  

Applications

The FVDi benchtop microscope is used in the inspection and analysis of patch cables and couplers in production and quality control. Further application fields include analysis processes and conventional fiber inspection. With the help of software, images of fiber end faces are automatically recorded and considered as “pass” or “fail” in accordance with predefined criteria. The images and results can be archived in different formats.

Digital fiber microscope for use in fully-automated inspections – with the help of the FVAi, the polished end faces of fiber optic connectors can be evaluated. As a result of its integrated autofocus system, this unit significantly reduces inspection time and thus simplifies operations.

The FVAi microscope fully automatically focuses and centers the fiber end face to subsequently localize and count defects and scratches. The user decides the degree of automation, which ranges from complete manual operation to total automation.

The measurement results and recorded images can be saved together in HTML or PDF format; simply connect the microscope to the PC via a USB 2.0 interface.

Viavi's FVAm Series of bench top microscopes provide a complete solution for testing and analyzing MPO and other multi-fiber connectors. Every single step of the inspection process is performed automatically with highest speed and precision, delivering test result in less than 20 seconds. The FVAm-Series is therefore the ideal solution for production facilities that strive to achieve optimum quality and peroformance for their MPO cables and QSFP components at every stage of production.

FVDi and FVAi microscopes are controlled using FiberChekPRO software. With this software, the size of the defects and their location in relationship to the core can be measured.

The software divides the images into several zones that concentrically surround the fiber core (e.g., the core area, the cladding area, and the contact zone). The closer the defects are to the core area, the more transmission is affected.

The evaluation criteria of a connector meet the requirements of the international IEC 61300 3 35 standard; however, the user can also set its own parameters for each zone that are then automatically used.

The DScope is equipped with a Koehler light source which provides an evenly lit field of view and reduces glare effects to a minimum. An LED light source, which generates only very little heat and has a long life expectancy, is responsible for the illumination.

With the help of the DScope, a fiber can be located in real time and the inspection zones displayed. During viewing, individual gain and contrast levels for both the fiber and the ferrule can be set to allow evaluation of both areas in good quality at the same time. Magnification can be set to 20x, 10x, or 4x.

The microscope allows the evaluation of all PC and APC as well as SF and MF connectors; a corresponding universal adapter is available. The device is connected to a PC via a USB 2.0 interface and can be used both in the field and the laboratory.

The D-Scope MT by Data-Pixel is a particularly fast microscope for MTP/MPO connectors. In a single measuring cycle, it inspects the surface of each individual fiber and achieves maximum detail accuracy thanks to its high degree of magnification.

With this fully automated system, connectors with MT-12/24 or MT-16/32 ferrules can be metrologically validated according to IEC standards.

In combination with the BLINK inspection software from Data-Pixel, the D-Scope MT achieves optimum performance, accuracy, and repeatability in error detection.

With the P-Aligner and the PM version of Data Pixel’s DScope, PM fibers can be precisely aligned for PM connector assembly, for example. The BLINK software is available here in a PM version that makes it possible to locate the stress elements of the PM fibers in real time. The PM-Aligner is optimized for large working distances, whereas the PM DScope is designed for shorter working distances (depending on the connector type and application).