Interferometer VFI Series

A bench interferometer that inspects and measures the surface quality, flatness and end angle of cleaved or polished fiber end faces in 2D and 3D. Three models cover fiber diameters from 80 um to 2000 um.

Technical overview

The VFI forms an interference pattern across the fiber end face and derives a height map from it, so cleave angle, surface flatness and defects can be assessed quantitatively rather than by eye. Users can switch between inspect and fringe views and between 2D (real-time) and 3D (under 7 seconds) measurement modes, with automated or manual end angle measurement. Height data exports as CSV and reports as Excel or HTML. The range comprises VFI-200 (80-200 um fibers), VFI-1200 (80-1200 um) and VFI-2000 (400-2000 um), all sharing a 6.4 MP 12-bit CMOS sensor and a 525 nm LED; -RS variants add a lateral ribbon stage for 2D ribbon analysis. It handles most standard and specialty fibers including PM and hollow core.

Measurement Fiber Characterization

Features

3 different Fields of View
Flat and angled cleaves
Inspect and fringe mode
Automated or manual end angle measurement
2D or 3D measurement mode
3D end face height map
2D measurement - real time; 3D measurement in under 7 seconds
Height data can be saved as a csv file
Data output as Excel or HTML reports
Optional factory-fitted ribbon stage for imaging ribbon fibers (2D only)

Specifications

Specifications
Parameter	Value
Field of view (VFI-200)	200 maximum, with x1.5, x2, x3 and x6 digital zoom um
Field of view (VFI-1200)	1,200 maximum, with x1.5, x2, x3 and x6 digital zoom um
Field of view (VFI-2000)	2,000 maximum, with x1.5, x2, x3 and x6 digital zoom um
Image sensor (all models)	1/1.8 inch CMOS array, 12-bit, 6.4 MP
Camera sensor size (all models)	3,088 x 2,076 px, 2.4 um square pixels
LED wavelength (all models)	525 nm
Maximum measurable cleave angle, VFI-200 (without angled fiber holder)	2D mode: 10; 3D mode: 9 degrees
Maximum measurable cleave angle, VFI-1200 (without angled fiber holder)	2D mode: 10; 3D mode: 8 degrees
Maximum measurable cleave angle, VFI-2000 (without angled fiber holder)	2D mode: 8; 3D mode: 6 degrees
Maximum cleave angle basis	Stated for a fiber with 125 um cladding diameter; larger cleave angle can be measured using an angled fiber holder
Measurement time (all models)	2D mode: real-time; 3D mode: <7 s
Image quality (all models)	Fully resolves USAF Target to Level 7 minimum
Height resolution (all models)	0.01 um
Dimensions (all models)	240 (W) x 240 (D) x 90 (H) mm
Weight (all models)	3 kg
Connection to computer (all models)	USB 3.0 (USB Type B to USB A); 1 m cable supplied
Power supply (all models)	Via USB
Operating systems supported (all models)	Windows 10/11 64 bit
Computer requirements (all models)	4 GB RAM; USB 3.0 port; 64 bit
Operating temperature (all models)	10 - 30 degC
Ordering - VFI-200	Interferometric inspection system for fibers with diameters from 80 um to 200 um
Ordering - VFI-1200	Interferometric inspection system for fibers with diameters from 80 to 1200 um
Ordering - VFI-1200-RS	VFI-1200 fitted with lateral stage for analysis of ribbons (2D only)
Ordering - VFI-2000	Interferometric inspection system for fibers with diameters from 400 to 2000 um
Ordering - VFI-2000-RS	VFI-2000 fitted with lateral stage for analysis of ribbons (2D only)
Fiber holders	VF-H0-xxx perpendicular cleave; VF-H8-xxx 8 degree cleave; standard holder sizes 125, 200, 250, 400, 800 and 1000 um; custom diameters at extra charge
Connector holders	VF-F125 (1.25 mm ferrule), VF-F250 (2.50 mm ferrule), VF-F16 (#16 style ferrule), VF-F320 (3.2 mm ferrule, SMA)
VF-Annulus	9-sided annulus used with fiber holder to present the fiber at a range of integer angles (from 4 to 12 degrees)