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Chapter 4
Using the NanoTrak Without A PC
4.1
Introduction
The NanoTrak T-Cube has been designed specifically to operate with the KPZ101
Piezo Driver T-Cubes. Together, these units comprise an acti ve-feedback optical
alignment system that allows the user to align optical fibers and optimize the coupling
of light into and out of photonics devices. The following section gives a brief overview
of the way the NanoTrak operates. A detailed explanation is contained in Appendix D
.
4.1.1
System Overview - Fiber to Fiber Alignment Example
The system, comprises a TNA001 NanoTrak T-Cube and two KPZ101 piezo drivers,
together with the associated piezo-actuated stage, optical fibers and clamping
hardware (see Fig. 4.1), providing 2 dimensional control of th e Y and Z axes. The
objective of the system is to position the two fibers such that maximum power transfer
is obtained.
Fig. 4.1 Typical Stand Alone Set Up
The NanoTrak produces two sinusoidally varying outputs with 90° phase shift (i.e.
sine and cosine) which, when applied to the piezo stage, move the input optical fiber
in a circular path. DC o ffsets on these outputs are altered by the NanoTrak unit to
move the center position of the circular path (i.e. fiber) in Y and Z space.
The unit contains an internal power meter (Range and Signal bars - see Section 4.2.)
which can sample the power applied through the optical input.
As the fibers are driven in the circular motion the optical power coupling between the
optical (e.g. fiber) compo nents will fluctuate. The un it samples the po wer multiple
SAFETY
KEYSWITCH
POWER
mW
mA
dBm
MODE
OK
OUTPUT
HFB003
Fiber Holder
HFB003
Fiber Holder
MAX311
Flexure Stage
POWER
LATCH
MODE
LATCH/TRACK
SIGNAL
RANGE
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101112
Input Fiber
Output Fiber
KPZ101
Piezo
Driver
KPZ101
Piezo
Driver
TNA001
NanoTrak
TLS001
Laser
Source
Piezo Controller
MENU
Piezo Controller
MENU
