Newport launches actuator, photodetector, lenses, sensor

Irvine, CA— Newport Corp. recently introduced a half dozen new products and technology developments, including its new long travel actuator (LTA), spatial filters, simple lenses, photodetector, laser distance sensor (LDS), and an improved coating process for its deep-ultraviolet optics. The company adds that its introduction and technical advances occurred in three of its business areas, including optical and opto-mechanical products, semiconductor equipment and research products.

‘The majority of these recent developments, which have been produced by our advanced-technology product development program, demonstrate Newport’s leadership and innovations in photonics,’ says Robert Deuster, Newport’s chairman and CEO. ‘We believe advances in laser technology will enable new applications for precision photonics, and open new opportunities for Newport in markets, including semiconductor manufacturing, computing, nanotechnology, communications, biomedical, security, entertainment and research.’

Specifically, Newport’s six newly launched products and advances include:

• Long Travel Actuator (LTA), which is Newport’s series of motorized micrometer replacement actuators. LTA series actuators are Newport’s first to combine high-resolution motion and a long travel range in a compact package. Typical uses for these actuators include fo-cusing laser beams, adjusting beam position, and automated optimization of laser cavity optics for research, nanotechnology, and biophotonics applications. Two different versions of LTA are available, one optimized for high speed and the other optimized for high load applications.

• 910A series spatial filters, which use an original opto-mechanical design that enables more rapid alignment and precise adjustment of laser beams, as well as delivering long-term stability. Uses include investigations in holography, interferometry, laser-based imaging and metrology in the semiconductor, communications, life science and research markets. n&f>Four new series of fused-silica simple lenses with low-scatter, precision surfaces that allow them to be used in high-power laser and imaging systems, where minimizing scattered light is critical. The lenses combine low-absorption, fused-silica substrates, laser-grade surface quality, and high-quality coatings. They’re ideal for applications that require low wavefront distortion and tight tolerances on magnification, including precision laser beam focusing, as well as the expansion in UV semiconductor, holography, interferometry and metrology applications.

• With the recent expansion of its high-speed photodetector line, Newport now offers one of the widest selections of fast and ultrafast photodetectors. Photodetectors are targeted at R&D laboratory applications in laser-based research, test and measurement, biophotonics and tele-communications equipment development. The company says this new line includes the world’s fastest commercially available visible photodetector.

• Major investments in fabrication and coating processes for deep-ultraviolet (UV) optics have enabled Newport to reach a new pulse lifetime record for its optical coatings for deep ultraviolet wavelengths. A prominent manufacturer of microlithography systems performed the testing of Newport’s new coatings on a high reflector for their 193 nm microlithography system. This innovation extends Newport’s capabilities into high-damage-threshold, deep-UV optics for microlithography.

• Laser Distance Sensor (LDS) is an electronic autocollimator for non-contact measurement and alignment tasks in laboratory and industrial settings. LDS is a high-performance, calibrated measurement tool that offers quick set-up and ease of use, and provides a cost-effective solution in a portable, compact package. LDS is a versatile and accurate instrument designed to address many application needs, including laboratory R&D, product qualification, product assembly and production line testing.

Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Jim Montague, news editor
jmontague@reedbusiness.com

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