VFI-200 Interferometer

The VFI-200 is an interferometric inspection system specifically designed for checking the surface quality and flatness of your cleaved or polished fibers. The VFI interferometer has proven itself in Research, Production and QA environments.

Superb optical quality

We pride ourselves on the crisp end-face images which the VFI-200 generates. The two modes of operation – inspect and fringe – allow users to check both the flatness and end quality of a cleaved or polished fiber end with just one insertion.

For more cleave images – Click here
Flexible software

The VFI comes with an efficient software package containing controls to switch between fringe and inspect mode built in. It also allows users to grab and save images for later use. 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, radius of curvature estimation, psuedo-color rendering and review of stored images.
Latest software release – version 5.0 – Click here for more details

 

Fiber holders
Arden Photonics holders are designed and produced using stainless steel to ensure precise alignment. Our holders allow you to conveniently hold the fiber in a V groove using soft but secure magnetic strips, for accurate repeatable measurements. The fiber is held close to the tip of the holder to reduce the possibility of curling at the end face, and with a variety of sizes and angles available the VFI can be used to measure speciality fibers with no problem.
Factory fitted options
The VFI can be ordered with factory fitted extras to more fully meet the particular specification that you require. The standard fiber handling stage can be replaced with a laterally adjustable stage designed for quickly and efficiently imaging ribbon structures.

Furthermore, we realise that the VFI is used in conjuction with precision splicing and cleaving equipment. So by using adaptor plates the VFI can accommodate industry standard fiber holders from Vytran, Fujikura, FITEL and Photon Kinetics. Please note that because these holders are designed for use with other equipment they cannot be used to self calibrate the VFI. IF you would like to self calibrate an Arden holder must be used.

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.
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.)

Images
Cleave Gallery
Features
Applications
Technical Specification
Document Downloads
Ordering Information
VFI
VFI41_1
VFI41_3

Images taken using the VFI Cleave Check Interferometer

These images are of a large diameter Polarisation Maintaining fiber taken using a VFI-1200.The images clearly show the cleave initiation point, the stress members and the cracking caused during cleaving because of the stress locked into the fiber. vf20imagelarge01 vf20imagelarge02
These images are of a 105/125 µm fiber, taken using a VFI-200. The cleave initiation point is clearly visible at the bottom of the image, and the interferogram indicates a significant end angle is present on the fiber. The cleave angle estimation feature in the VFI software showed this to be an angle of over 3 °. The inspect mode shows the core/cladding boundary.
These images are of a 125 µm diameter singlemode fiber cleaved using a Photon Kinetics FK-12 angled cleaver set at 8 °. The cleave was inspected using a VFI-200 with an VF-H8 8 ° fiber holder. The interferogram shows the cleave is very close to 8 ° but the end face has the saddle shape which is characteristic of a fiber cleaved using the “tension and torsion” method of angled cleaving.  vf20imagesmall06  vf20imagesmall05
These images are of a 400 µm diameter fiber cleaved using an LDF cleaver. The cleave was inspected using a VFI-200 in the cleaver’s own 400 µm fiber holder.The two cleaves were made on two consecutive days at LASER World of Photonics in Munich, Germany in 2011, one of the industry’s busiest shows. The interferograms were also snapped live during the show which is testament to the stability of the VFI-1200.  vfiimagelarge08  vfiimagelarge07
These images are of a 170 µm diameter multi-core fiber. The core pitches are 48 µm (left image) and 49 µm (right image). The images are reproduced courtesy of NICT (National Institute of Information and Communications Technology ), Tokyo, Japan and the University of Bristol, UK. The images are taken from the following paper : “First Fully-Elastic Multi-granular Network with Space/ Frequency/Time Switching Using Multi-core Fibres and Programmable Optical Nodes,” N. Amaya, M. Irfan, G. Zervas, R. Nejabati, D. Simeonidou, J. Sakaguchi, W. Klaus, B.J. Puttnam, T. Miyazawa, Y. Awa ji, N. Wada, I. Henning, 38th European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC 2012), PostDeadline, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Sept. 2012.  vfiimagesnict02  vfiimagesnict01
These images are of 2 different MTP ferrule end faces. These images were taken in house on the VFI-1200-RS designed specially for imaging ribbon structures. The first picture shows the whole end polished with a slight angle on it with straight fringes covering the length of the ferrule. The second picture shows each individual fiber with a domed polish giving the characteristic circular fringe formation. The translation stage on the front of the VFI-1200-RS can be used to easily scroll along the fibers to check each individual fiber in a ribbon structure.
These images are of a 1mm fiber. The fibers were cleaved using a vytran large diameter cleaver and imaged using the VFI-2000. The 2000µm field of view allows the full 1mm surface to be viewed with a large amount of headroom 1000um inspection
The fiber shown in these images is a 2mm fiber, polished flat using a 3SAE FPS II polishing station. With a 2mm diameter fiber of this flatness, fringes can be resolved over the entire surface of the fiber. Images courtesy of Jose Cochon at Laser Technology SL taken using the VFI-2000.  2mm_100-50g_4step_RR_90min-30_fringe_slu  2mm_100-50g_4step_RR_90min-30_slu
  • Accepts 125µm fiber diameters
  • Arden, Vytran, Fujikura/AFL, Furakawa/FITEL and PK holders
  • End angle/radius of curvature estimation
  • Inspect and Fringe modes
  • Flat and angled ends
  • User calibration facility
  • Precision cleaver manufacture
  • Cleaver maintenance
  • Medical device manufacturing
  • Fiber R&D
  • Development and testing of angled cleaves and cleavers
  • Device pigtailing

    Field of View

    200µm

    Size

    24w x 24d x 9h (cm)

    Weight

    2.0kg

    Image sensor

    1/2 inch CMOS array, 8 bit, 1MP

    Effective pixels

    1024x1024, 5.2µm square pixels

    Fringe resolving power

    2µm/fringe

    Maximum frame rate

    25 fps

    LED wavelength

    587nm

    Accuracy up to 2º

    < 0.1°

    Accuracy up to 10º

    < 0.2°

    Image format

    8-bit JPG

    Connection to computer

    USB 2.0 (USB B to USB A: 2m cable)

    Operating temperature

    0º to +50ºC

    Humidity

    5%-95%, relative, non-condensing

    Operating systems support

    Windows 7/8/10 32bit or 64bit

    Computer requirements

    2GB RAM; USB 2.0 port - NOTE system may not work with USB 3

VFI Datasheet (A4)

VFI Datasheet (US)
Part number Description
VFI-200 Interferometric inspection system for fibers with diameters of 125μm. Includes VFI-200 optical unit; VF-H0 fiber holder for 125μm fibers; PC software; USB cable; power supply. Computer not included.
Holders
VF-H0 Arden fiber holder for 125µm fiber, perpendicular cleave vfi holder
VF-H0-200 Arden fiber holder for 200µm fiber, perpendicular cleave vfi holder
VF-H0-2.5FER Arden fiber holder for 2.5mm ferrules
VF-H6 Arden angled fiber holder for 125µm fiber, fiber tilted at 6 degrees vfi angled holder
VF-H8 Arden angled fiber holder for 125µm fiber, fiber tilted at 8 degrees vfi angled holder
VF-H10 Arden angled fiber holder for 125µm fiber, fiber tilted at 10 degrees vfi angled holder
VF-H12 Arden angled fiber holder for 125µm fiber, fiber tilted at 12 degrees vfi angled holder
Factory fitted options
VF-RS VFI front stage with lateral adjuster designed for ribbon structure inspection (factory fitted to VFI-200)
VF-MPF VFI mounting plate for Fujikura style fiber holders (factory fitted to VFI-200) vfi fitel holder
VF-MPFT  VFI mounting plate for FITEL/Furukawa style fiber holders (factory fitted to VFI-200)
VF-MPPK VFI mounting plate for Photon Kinetics style fiber holders (factory fitted to VFI-200)
VF-MPV VFI mounting plate for Vytran style fiber holders (factory fitted to VFI-200) vfi vytran holder
Other options
VFI-CC-01 Rigid carrying case for VFI
VFI-UEW3 VFI extended warranty covering parts and labour for 3 years from purchase, return to base. Cover excludes camera.
VFI-UEW5 VFI extended warranty covering parts and labour for 5 years from purchase, return to base. Cover excludes camera.
APL-LC Laptop computer, pre-installed with application software
APL-DC Desktop computer, pre-installed with application software

Related Products

VFI-1200 Interferometer
VFI-2000 Interferometer