Interferometer Adapter Cap for Vibration-Resistant Fiber Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current interferometer products for fiber optic connector ferrule inspection are expensive, sensitive to mechanical vibrations, and difficult to use, making them unsuitable for field or office applications where a low-cost, portable solution with reduced environmental sensitivity is needed.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost interferometer adapter cap with a cap body, optical flat slot, and alignment hole is designed for attachment to portable microscopes, using a monochromatic light source and mechanical pressure to maintain contact with the optical flat and ferrule, allowing for inspection of connector end-face geometry with reduced vibration sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional interferometer products are used for ferrule inspection, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional interferometer is segmented into two separate components: a portable microscope for image capture and a separate interferometer adapter cap for generating interference patterns. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system cost while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter cap acts as an intermediary component that bridges the portable microscope and the ferrule under inspection. It contains the optical flat and alignment features necessary to generate Newton's rings interference patterns, enabling precise measurements without requiring a complete interferometer system.
2Measurement precision
If traditional interferometer products are used for ferrule inspection, then measurement precision is improved, but sensitivity to mechanical vibration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration-sensitive motion systems and complex optics of traditional interferometers are extracted and replaced with a simple adapter cap that attaches to a portable microscope. The interference pattern generation is simplified to rely on static optical components rather than moving parts, reducing vibration sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex interferometer optics, the system uses a simplified optical path that copies the essential interferometry function through Newton's rings formation. This copying approach maintains measurement capability while reducing sensitivity to mechanical disturbances.
3Measurement precision
If traditional interferometer products are used for ferrule inspection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex interferometer system is segmented into a simple portable microscope and a compact adapter cap. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex integrated optics and motion control systems, reducing overall device complexity while preserving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex optics to generate interference patterns, the system inverts the approach by using a simple optical flat and alignment hole to create Newton's rings. This inversion simplifies the optical path and reduces the number of components required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables low-cost, portable, and vibration-resistant inspection of fiber optic connector ferrules, providing accurate measurements of end-face geometry through Newton's rings analysis, facilitating field or office use with minimal environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
Newton's rings analysis
Implementation Method 2
providing accurate measurements of end-face geometry through Newton's rings analysis
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter cap including a cap body, a slot in the cap body, wherein the slot is configured to hold an optical flat, an attachment mechanism configured to attach the cap to an inspection device, and an alignment hole in the cap body, wherein the alignment hole is configured to hold an optical connector ferrule.