Aerotech Final DR 2/3/10 12:45 Page 12
Vendor Application
Accurate motion
University of Southampton’s ORC (Optoelectronics Research
Centre) carry out many ground breaking research projects and
require precision instruments to ensure they achieve the most
effective results. A key area of concern is precision in motion
control to enable accurate results. Aerotech discusses the
positioning technology for nanometre precision direct write laser
applications that they provide the research centre.
12
O
ne of the many varied and curved or straight waveguides and splitters that
interesting research projects at channel light around the circuit; and Bragg
www
Typical optical the University of Southampton’s ORC gratings which can be used to measure the
.eur integrated circuit (Optoelectronics Research Centre) involves refractive index of fluids or other materials.
oasiasemiconductor
showing two channels direct UV laser writing of integrated optical These refractive index sensors are now built into
of red light (right) circuits on specialised glass substrates and on its complete optical microchip solutions for
transmitted through own patented ‘flat’ optical cable. With bio/chemical sensing by the ORC spin out
waveguide system application potential from telecom network company Stratophase Ltd. The basis principle
with multiple channel components through to lab-on-a-chip (LOC) involves passing a sample material over a
output through pigtail biological and chemical sensors, the photonic sensing window and the wavelength of the light
.com
connectors (left). circuits are produced with the help of nanometre reflected from the Bragg grating confirms that
level precision positioning systems and motion its refractive index is within a certain band. With
Image courtesy of controls from Aerotech. a typical sensitivity of one part in a million, these
square4
Issue I 2010
University of The types of optical components that are devices are proving an excellent solution for a
Southampton ORC typically written into the substrates include wide range of commercial bio/chemical
detection applications from sugar concentrations
in foods, to toxin, virus and bacteria discovery
for pharmaceuticals, and petro-chemical quality
control processing.
When a similar UV writing process is directly
applied to the special flat optical cable which is
manufactured at the ORC, the potential for
these types of sensors may be produced without
the need to connect high loss pigtail
connections between optical fibre and optical
material substrates - and may be applied for
multiple sensor solutions over extremely long
distances for applications that could include
biological and chemical monitoring in supply
pipes and rivers. The work in this area is at an
early stage but the potential outcome using such
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