The VFI Optical Fiber End-Face Interferometer

Click on the image to see gallery of cleaves

The VFI is an interferometric inspection system specifically designed for checking the surface quality and flatness of your cleaved, polished or lensed fibers. The VFI interferometer has proved itself in Research, Production and QA over and over and the feedback we get from users indicates that they value these features -

1) Superb optical quality - the VFI will give you high quality images of the ends of optical fibers to enable you to estimate their quality and flatness. You can see for yourself some interferograms taken using the system. Click on the image to the right to see more pictures taken using the VFI. Using a front panel switch you can select the two modes of operation – inspect and fringe - so you can check the flatness and the end quality of your cleaved, polished or lensed fiber end with one fiber insertion. This means reduced testing time.

We pride ourselves on the crisp end-face images which show every defect and on the high contrast fringe patterns which make it easy to estimate end angles. The 5Mpixel camera in the VFI helps to show every detail and gives ample digital zoom capability.

Click on the image to see more screenshots

2) Purpose designed fiber handling - the range and flexibility of the fiber handling is crucial to the concept of the VFI. Arden's own fiber holders make the VFI easy to use and accurate; our third party adaptor plates help you integrate VFI inspection and interferometery into your critical cleaving and polishing operations. Arden's holders can take fibers with diameters from 125µm to 1200µm, so you won't need multiple pieces of equipment to see all your fiber types properly.

3) Flexible software - the VFI comes with an efficient software package which enables you to grab, save, and print images. This gives you the ability to record vital data and produce QA reports for internal use or to supply to customers. The report generator enables users to include up to 20 cleave images in one report along with comments. Other features include - intensity line profile, intensity histogram, auto-optimisation of intensity, end angle estimation, psuedo-color rendering, review stored images.

All our software is written in-house by Arden's engineers. Arden has a track record of adding software features suggested by customers and we will continue to do that so you can be sure that our products will stay up-to-date with the latest standards and algorithms.

The VFI-1200 - Cleave inspection for fiber of 125 to 1200 µm in diameter

The VFI-1200 will enable you to inspect fibers with diameters from 125µm to 1200µm.

Part number	Description
VFI-1200	Interferometric inspection system for fibers with diameters from 125 to 1200µm. Includes VFI-1200 optical unit; CD containing PC software; USB cable; power supply; user manual; tools. Computer and fiber holders not included.

Also required - these items must be ordered separately

• Desktop or laptop computer
• Fiber holders - see below
• Adaptor plates for other types fo fiber holder
• Carrying case
• Service contracts

Note - Computer minimum system requirements

• Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP3 or Windows 7 32bit
• Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port with full power (500mA) 
• A processor with a clock frequency of at least 1.5GHz
• PCI VGA card with DirectDraw support
• DirectX 9.0 or higher

( We can supply a desktop or laptop computer with system software already installed )

The VFI-200

The VFI-200 performs much the same tasks as the VFI-1200 BUT it is optimised for the inspection of 125 µm diameter fibers. If you only need to look at telecom type fibers this is the unit for you as it's high native resolution makes it the highest magniifcation interferometer around.

Part number	Description
VFI-200	Interferometric inspection system for fibers with diameters of 125µm. Includes VFI-200 optical unit; VF-H0 fiber holder for 125 µm fibers; CD containing PC software; USB cable; power Supply; user manual; tools

Also required - these items must be ordered separately

• Desktop or laptop computer
• Angled fiber holders if required - see below
• Adaptor plates for other types fo fiber holder
• Carrying case
• Service contracts

Note - Computer minimum system requirements

• Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP3 or Windows 7 32bit
• Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port with full power (500mA) 
• A processor with a clock frequency of at least 1.5GHz
• PCI VGA card with DirectDraw support
• DirectX 9.0 or higher

(We can supply a desktop or laptop computer with system software already installed)

Technical Specification

	VFI-1200	VFI-200
Field of View	1200 µm maximum with x1.5, x2, x3 and x6 digital zoom	200 µm
Dims (mm)	240W x 240D x 90H	240W x 240D x 90H
Weight (kg)	2.0	2.0
Power supply	12v in-line power supply	12v in-line power supply
PC connection	Hi-Speed USB 2.0	USB 2.0
Resolution	Maximum Resolution 1920x1920 pixels	1280 x 1024 pixels
Image format	8-bit BMP	8-bit BMP
Accuracy	< 0.1 °	< 0.1 °

Fiber holders

Arden's own holders are designed for one job only - to accurately and conveniently hold fibers for interferometric end-face measurements. They hold the fiber close to the tip in a precision Vee-groove so there is no danger of fibers curling. The fiber is held gently but securely using a removable magnetic strip. Arden holders are machined from stainless steel so precisely that the VFI will hold it's calibration even when switching from holder to holder.

Perpendicular cleave holders

Part number	Description
VF-H0	Arden fiber holder for 125µm fiber, perpendicular cleave
VF-H0-200	Arden fiber holder for 200µm fiber, perpendicular cleave
VF-H0-400	Arden fiber holder for 400µm fiber, perpendicular cleave
VF-H0-600	Arden fiber holder for 600µm fiber, perpendicular cleave
VF-H0-800	Arden fiber holder for 800µm fiber, perpendicular cleave
VF-H0-1000	Arden fiber holder for 1000µm fiber, perpendicular cleave
For other sizes contact Arden Photonics

Angled cleave holders

Part number	Description
VF-H8	Arden angled fiber holder for 125µm fiber, fiber tilted at 8 degrees
VF-H4	Arden angled fiber holder for 125µm fiber, fiber tilted at 4 degrees
VF-H6	Arden angled fiber holder for 125µm fiber, fiber tilted at 4 degrees
VF-H10	Arden angled fiber holder for 125µm fiber, fiber tilted at 10 degrees
VF-H12	Arden angled fiber holder for 125µm fiber, fiber tilted at 12 degrees
For other sizes contact Arden Photonics

Other fiber holders

Whilst Arden's own holders are purpose-made for the job, we recognise that often the VFI is used in conjuction with specialist precision splicing and cleaving equipment. So by using adpator plates the VFI can accomodate industry standard fiber holders from Vytran and Fujikura.

Please note - using third party fiber holders can help your work flow BUT they are designed to work with cleavers and splicers not interferometers. Therefore you will not be able to self-calibrate the VFI using these holders. If you want to check the calibration of the VFI you will need to use Arden's own holders.

If you want to use the VFI with another type of holder please contact us as our engineers may well be able to help design an adaptor plate to suit your requirement.

Part number	Description
VF-AP-V01	VFI adaptor plate to accommodate Vytran style fiber holders
VF-AP-F01	VFI adaptor plate to accommodate Fujikura style fiber holders

After sales services

Contact Arden Photonics for information on our comprehensive packages (extended warranties, calibration programs, software upgrades, etc.) and per-incident services (repair, calibration, etc.)