VFI-1200 Interferometer

The VFI-1200 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-1200 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. The VFI-1200 is designed for speciality fiber users who need to view fibers larger than 125 microns.

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 5.1 – Click here for more details

 

VFI Additional Options

Arden Photonics fiber holders are precision engineered using stainless steel, ensuring the highest levels of accuracy and repeatability. Our holders hold the fiber in a well-aligned V-groove using a soft but secure magnetic clamp, providing repeatable and reproducible results.

The holders come in a variety of sizes to accommodate a wide range of fiber diameters, up to 2mm. We can also produce angled fiber holders designed for use with fibers that have a large cleave angle. The angled holders hold the fiber at a specified angle in order to null the cleave angle so that an optimum platform is provided for analysing the features of the fiber end face.

We have also developed a new style of fiber holder, the “dual-style” holder, that is fully inter-operable with the Arden Photonics FGC Fiber Geometry System for measuring the geometry of standard and specialty fibers.

Adapter plates are available for use with the dual-style holders so that they can be used with Fujikura cleavers and splicers, allowing the holder to be transferred to the VFI from a Fujikura cleaver, or from the VFI to a Fujikura splicer, without even having to adjust the position of the fiber in the holder. Alternatively, the adapter plates allow standard Fujikura fiber holders to be used directly with the VFI. If you wish to use another type of holder then we may be able to design an adapter plate to suit your needs.

In addition, the standard fiber handling stage of the VFI can be replaced with a laterally adjustable stage designed for quickly and efficiently imaging ribbon fibers.

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
Latest Software
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Ordering Information

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
  • x6 digital zoom
  • Accepts 125 to 1200µm fiber diameters
  • Flat and angled ends
  • Arden and Fujikura/AFL holders
  • Inspect and Fringe modes
  • Automatic measurement feature
  • User calibration facility
  • End angle/radius of curvature estimation
  • Precision cleaver manufacture
  • Cleaver maintenance
  • Fiber laser manufacture
  • Medical device manufacture
  • Fiber R&D
  • Specialty fiber manufacture
  • Device pigtailing
  • LDF cleaver manufacture/maintenance
  • Fiber end cap manufacture
  • Fiber ribbon inspection (optional)

    Field of View

    1200µm maximum with x1.5, x2, x3 and x6 digital zoom

    Size

    24w x 24d x 9h (cm)

    Weight

    2.0kg

    Image sensor

    1/1.8 inch CMOS array, 12-bit, 6.4MP

    Effective pixels

    2076x2076, 2.4µm square pixels

    Fringe resolving power

    2µm/fringe

    Maximum frame rate

    >10fps

    LED wavelength

    525nm

    Accuracy up to 2º (Arden Classic-style holders)

    < 0.1°

    Image format

    12-bit PNG

    Connection to computer

    USB 3.0 (USB Type C to USB A: 1m cable)

    Operating temperature

    0º to +50ºC

    Humidity

    5%-95%, relative, non-condensing

    Operating systems support

    Windows 7/8/10 - 64bit only

    Computer requirements

    2GB RAM; USB 3.0 port; 64 bit

VFI Datasheet (A4)

VFI Datasheet (US)
Part number Description
VFI-1200 Interferometric inspection system for fibers with diameters from 125 to 1200µm. Includes VFI-1200 optical unit; fiber holder for 400µm fibers; VFI-FTK400 fiber samples; PC software; USB cable; power supply. Computer not included.
VFI-1200-RS Interferometric inspection system for fibers with diameters from 125 to 1200µm and additional ribbon stage with lateral adjustment capability. Includes VFI-1200 optical unit; Lateral adjustment stage; fiber holder for 400µm fibers; VFI-FTK400 fiber samples; PC software; USB cable; power supply. Computer not included.
Fiber Holders
VF-H0-xxx Arden fiber holder for xxxµm fiber, perpendicular cleave
VF-H0-xxx-D Dual-style Arden VFI fiber holder for xxxµm fiber, perpendicular cleave (requires adapter plate)
VF-H08-xxx Arden fiber holder for xxxµm fiber, 8 degree cleave
VF-Annulus 9-sided annulus used with fiber holder in order to present the fiber to the VFI at a range of integer angles (from 4 to 12 degrees)
Please note: for VFI-1200 standard holder sizes include 125, 200, 250, 400, 800 and 1000 with custom diameters available with extra charge.
Adapter plates
VF-AP-3 Adapter plate for use with dual-style Arden holders and Fujikura holders. For use with fiber protrusion of 3mm from end of holder
VF-AP-12.5 Adapter plate for use with dual-style Arden holders and Fujikura holders. For use with fiber protrusion of 12.5mm from end of holder for direct use with FGC system or Fujikura cleavers and splicers (not suitable for fibers under 200µm in diameter)
VF-AP-C Front-clamped adapter plate for use with dual-style Arden holders and Fujikura holders. For use with fiber protrusion of 12.5mm from end of holder for direct use with FGC system or Fujikura cleavers and splicers. Designed for use with 125µm fiber only.
Other Options
VFI-CC-01 Rigid carrying case for VFI
VFI-UEW2 VFI extended warranty covering parts and labour for 2 years from purchase, return to base. Cover excludes camera.
VFI-UEW3 VFI extended warranty covering parts and labour for 3 years from purchase, return to base. Cover excludes camera.
VFI-UEW4 VFI extended warranty covering parts and labour for 5 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.
VFI-FTK400 VFI fiber samples, 400μm diameter, for checking VFI-1200 alignment and calibration

Related Products

VFI-200 Interferometer
VFI-2000 Interferometer