OptiCentric^® 3D

The new OptiCentric^® 3D provides an ideal solution for the complete opto-mechanical characterization of assembled optical systems. This approach integrates different lens analysis technologies and provides a valuable tool for the evaluation of complex optical systems in R&D or routine quality inspection in production.

The two-in-one solution for the detailed investigation of assembled objective lenses combines the OptiCentric^® centering error measurement technology with a low coherence interferometer called OptiSurf^®, measuring the air gaps between lens surfaces and the centre thickness of lenses within the optical system. The cross-interaction of both measurement systems allows the fast alignment of the lens system, and provides a significant increase of the overall measurement accuracy and detailed manufacturing quality information:

• centering errors of less 0.1 μm
• air spacing and centre thickness of less 1 μm

OptiCentric^® 3D in Operation

Figure 10 shows how the combination of both technologies works:

1. The OptiCentric^® system determines the tilt and shift in x-y direction of the optical system with respect to a reference axis.
2. With the help of the tilt and translation table or other adjusting elements the optical system under test is aligned with respect to the measuring axis of the low coherence interferometer OptiSurf. Only this accurate alignment enables the low coherence interferometer to determine precisely the position of the center of curvatures in z-direction, the air gaps between lenses and lens thicknesses.
3. After the center thicknesses and air gaps measurement with the low coherence interferometer is completed, the data are input into the MultiLens Software where the design data of the optical systems are replaced by the real measurement data obtained with OptiSurf
4. As a result the accuracy of the data set containing the centration errors of the optical system, measured initially with the OptiCentric^®, is significantly enhanced.