Direct Optical Research Company specializes in the design and manufacturing of non-contact interferometers for the optical fiber and connector industry. DORC's range of ZX-1 Zoom Interferometers and Phase Measuring System (PMS) software has been specifically designed to meet the ever-increasing need for accurate, automated, high volume testing of ferrules, ferrule blanks, connector assemblies, pigtails, patchcords and array connectors.

The ZX-1 Array PLUS is a Zoom Interferometer based on our Patented variation of the Michelson design, and incorporates both broad and narrow band solid-state sources. This configuration coupled with a zoom lens and fully automated XYZ motion allows the operator to look at any portion of the connector’s endface, over a wide range of magnifications in either inspection or interferometric modes. Fringes created by introducing an internal reference path can be analyzed to measure the surface topography of a connector or fiber endface. The fully enclosed vibration and contamination resistant Michelson configuration eliminates the requirement for the delicate surface of the sample under test to be in physical contact with the measuring equipment. Being non-contact not only avoids contamination of both the sample and interferometer, but also removes the possibility of contamination induced measurement errors.

Another advantage of the Michelson configuration is the ability to isolate the reference mirror, adjustment of which is used to calibrate the apex offset on single-fiber connectors, to a location inside the systems housing. In the ZX-1 Array PLUS, adjustment of the reference mirror is controlled by the PC, permitting total automation of the calibration routine. There are no mechanical adjustments required to be made by the operator. Systems using interferometric objectives are placed at a distinct disadvantage by not having this capability. Firstly, they cannot "block" the reference mirror to produce an inspection only image, and secondly, since the reference mirror in interferometric objectives cannot usually be adjusted, apex offset calibration is performed by making very small "pitch and yaw" adjustments to the connector fixturing. Adding these two additional axis of freedom to a stage already containing XYZ and tilt adjustments, can lead to significantly poorer apex offset and angle measurement repeatability.

Additionally, DORC's innovative ZX-1 Array PLUS design overcomes several inherent disadvantages, of competitive systems that use fixturing with protruding pins to hold (and calibrate) the sample under test. Firstly, because of the difference in guide pin hole spacing, such systems require that the fixture be replaced (and the system re-calibrated), whenever the operator wants to switch between MT and MT-RJ connectors. Secondly, the braces used to support the guide pins themselves, inherently block part of the connector endface, thereby preventing inspection of a significant portion of the surface you may wish to measure. Thirdly, mounting the entire mass of the connector on 2 fixed pins does not result in a very ridged, and therefore repeatable mount. In fact, you will often find that such systems require the operator to perform 2 averaged measurements, requiring the connector be rotated 180 degrees between scans, in order to obtain a single set of results!  

The parfocal/parcentral zoom objective ensures that the image and reference paths remain in focus and centered throughout its entire magnification range. The operator can instantly switch between inspection and interferometric modes at any magnification without refocusing, thereby displaying the optimum number of fringes - regardless of the samples unique surface topography. Precision XYZ and tilt adjustment of the sample, combined with the inherent advantages of using a zoom lens, allows this system to measure a much larger range of sample types, and capture details that would be missed by conventional systems using fixed magnification objectives.

The ZX-1 Array PLUS is compatible with a wide range of both multi-fiber and single-fiber connector sleds, chucks and adapter plates, allowing this system to measure almost any commercially available straight or angled fiberoptic connector. Other systems claim to measure both multi-fiber and single-fiber connectors, when in reality the operator is forced to physically substitute interferometric lenses and recalibrate the system in order to do so. 

No other instrument can offer this much flexibility.   

Using DORC's Windows XP^® Professional based Phase Measuring System (PMS) software, it is possible to automatically acquire and calculate all of the important surface topography parameters with extreme accuracy and repeatability. Available parameters include radius, apex offset, fiber height(s), angle, key error and fiber/ferrule surface roughness.

To perform a measurement, the operator simply inserts the connector under test into the chuck, optimizes the focus/alignment and initiates the measurement. The ZX-1 Array PLUS will then automatically acquire interferometric data and calculate all of the important parameters of the sample, printing and/or storing all of the results as predetermined by the system setup menu. Being completely automated makes the system operator independent, eliminating any subjectivity as to whether the connector has passed or failed the quality control testing. Using the password protected setup menu’s, the quality control manager can adjust all pass/fail criteria of each parameter relating to a particular type of connector. Other variable parameters available within the setup menus permit  compliance with all "Standards Organizations" measurement methods worldwide.