News | March 11, 1999

Enhanced Norland ACCIS NC-3000 Performs 3-D Measurements on Fiber Optic Connectors

Source: Norland Products, Inc.
Norland Products, Inc.go, CA (OFC 1999)—<%=company%> has enhanced its ACCIS NC-3000 Automated Non-Contact Interferometer System with new hardware and software that makes measuring key parameters of PC polished connectors easier and more precise. With the ACCIS NC-3000, the microstructure and surface topography of fiber optic surfaces, such as connector assemblies, ferrules, and optical fibers, can be measured and analyzed in three dimensions, giving a much clearer picture of connector surfaces.

Norland's ACCIS NC-3000 incorporates a 10X Mireau interferometric objective on an inverted microscope with built-in camera, an Intel Pentium II® computer, and a user-friendly Windows NT® interface. New features include:

  • Infinity corrected optics that improve accuracy and resolution
  • Patented Locking V-groove Mount for superior repeatability on offset measurements
  • Precision micrometer-controlled, variable-tilt stage (0° to 13° range with 0.01° resolution)
  • Hewlett-Packard Vectra computers and monitors with worldwide service warranty
  • Excel in ACCIS software to automatically save, view, and print data in Excel without leaving ACCIS
  • Automatic Pass/Fail parameters for IEC and Bellcore standards

The ACCIS NC-3000 is a unique system that automatically switches between white light broadband interferometry or standard monochromatic phase shift interferometry (PSI) to handle all types of connector surfaces. The monochromatic mode allows the system to quickly map smooth surfaces in under six seconds, while the white light mode measures difficult, rough surfaces in addition to eliminating any ambiguities in step heights over 1/4 of a wavelength. Having both methods readily available in one instrument allows end users to accurately map all types of fiber optic connector surfaces.

Specifically designed to measure the key parameters of PC polished connectors, the ACCIS

NC-3000 measures the radius of curvature, offset of polish, undercut, or protrusion on FC,

ST, and SC type connectors. In addition, the system is versatile enough to measure PC, APC, and flat polished connectors with fiber protrusion or undercut up to 4.0 microns. Extremely accurate, the system measures either planar or spherical fiber height to an accuracy of 0.002 microns, radius of curvature to 0.10 mm, and offset of polish to 2.0 microns.

For more information on the new ACCIS NC-3000, please contact Denis O'Brien, <%=company%>, Inc., P.O. Box 7145, North Brunswick, NJ 08902. Call (732) 545-7828, fax (732) 545-9542, or visit our website at www.norlandprod.com.