Abstract: An optical power meter including a mechanical interface that establishes a predetermined air gap, while avoiding physical contact with the sensitive area of the DUT. The mechanical interface is formed such that the test instrument contacts the DUT in the non-sensitive region over an area large enough to establish contact pressure that is well within the strength of the DUT's material. Accordingly, the non-contacting optical element enables optical power to be collected and relayed with a quantifiable and repeatable power loss. A high-NA, large area optical element is used to collect and relay optical power accurately while maintaining low sensitivity to axial or radial alignment.

Abstract: An imaging system for viewing both flat and angled surfaces of a test element, such as the end faces of both PC and APC optical fibers. A light source provides light to the angled surface, while lensing directs a portion of the original light to the angled surface at a second acute angle. A collector, e.g. photodetector, lenses or human eye, receives the portion of the light reflected from the angled surface and generates an image thereof. An annulus is provided in the optical path for managing the light. The annulus includes a transparent outer ring enabling the portion of the light to pass from the light source to the surface at the second acute angle; a central transparent section enabling light reflected from the angled surface to pass to the collector along the longitudinal optical axis; and a first light-blocking ring between the outer ring and the central section for blocking excess light from the light source and reflected from the end surface.

Abstract: An illumination system for a fluorescence microscope is provided. The illumination system includes a carriage removably receivable within the microscope and a plurality of filter cubes movably arranged on the carriage, wherein each filter cube is moveable between an active position and an inactive position. Each filter cube includes a housing having first and second openings and a solid state light source secured to the housing. The solid state light source emits light when the filter cube is moved into the active position. Each filter cube further comprises at least one optical filter disposed within the housing, wherein the optical filter corresponds to the solid state light source.

Abstract: An illumination system for a fluorescence microscope is provided. The illumination system includes a carriage removably receivable within the microscope and a plurality of filter cubes movably arranged on the carriage, wherein each filter cube is moveable between an active position and an inactive position. Each filter cube includes a housing having first and second openings and a solid state light source secured to the housing. The solid state light source emits light when the filter cube is moved into the active position. Each filter cube further comprises at least one optical filter disposed within the housing, wherein the optical filter corresponds to the solid state light source.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus (1100) for cleaning an endface (1104) of an optical fiber (1106), wherein a portion of the optical fiber is contained within an interface device (1103) is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing (1114) having an interface portion (1124) adapted to be received by the interface device. The cleaning apparatus further includes a fluid dispensing assembly (1116) at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein at least a portion (1112) of the fluid dispensing assembly engages the endface when the interface portion is received by the interface device. The fluid dispensing assembly is operable to deliver a fluid and a solvent upon the endface when the interface portion of the housing is received by the interface device to aid in the removal of contaminants on the endface. The cleaning apparatus may include a contact cleaning assembly (1304) and/or a microscope (1408).

Abstract: An illumination system for a fluorescence microscope is provided. The illumination system includes a carriage removably receivable within the microscope and a plurality of filter cubes movably arranged on the carriage, wherein each filter cube is moveable between an active position and an inactive position. Each filter cube includes a housing having first and second openings and a solid state light source secured to the housing. The solid state light source emits light when the filter cube is moved into the active position. Each filter cube further comprises at least one optical filter disposed within the housing, wherein the optical filter corresponds to the solid state light source.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus (1100) for cleaning an endface (1104) of an optical fiber (1106), wherein a portion of the optical fiber is contained within an interface device (1103) is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing (1114) having an interface portion (1124) adapted to be received by the interface device. The cleaning apparatus further includes a fluid dispensing assembly (1116) at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein at least a portion (1112) of the fluid dispensing assembly engages the endface when the interface portion is received by the interface device. The fluid dispensing assembly is operable to deliver a fluid and a solvent upon the endface when the interface portion of the housing is received by the interface device to aid in the removal of contaminants on the endface. The cleaning apparatus may include a contact cleaning assembly (1304) and/or a microscope (1408).

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus (1100) for cleaning an endface (1104) of an optical fiber (1106), wherein a portion of the optical fiber is contained within an interface device (1103) is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing (1114) having an interface portion (1124) adapted to be received by the interface device. The cleaning apparatus further includes a fluid dispensing assembly (1116) at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein at least a portion (1112) of the fluid dispensing assembly engages the endface when the interface portion is received by the interface device. The fluid dispensing assembly is operable to deliver a fluid and a solvent upon the endface when the interface portion of the housing is received by the interface device to aid in the removal of contaminants on the endface. The cleaning apparatus may include a contact cleaning assembly (1304) and/or a microscope (1408).

Abstract: A microscope (90) having an imaging axis (403) for inspecting an endface (301) of an optical fiber in a fiber-optic connector (201), the fiber-optic connector having multiple fiber-optic endfaces, is provided. The microscope includes a tip (208) capable of interfacing with the connector. The microscope also includes an adjustment assembly (203 and/or 205) attached to the tip, the adjustment assembly adapted to move the imaging axis (210) of the microscope relative to the tip along an axis of motion to selectively align the imaging axis between adjacent endfaces. The microscope further includes a drive assembly (105, 110, 120, 204, and/or 211) interfaced with the adjustment assembly, the drive assembly capable of actuating the adjustment assembly to displace the imaging axis along the axis of motion to selectively align the imaging axis of the microscope between adjacent endfaces. A method of inspecting the connector is also provided.

Abstract: A microscope (90) having an imaging axis (403) for inspecting an endface (301) of an optical fiber in a fiber-optic connector (201), the fiber-optic connector having multiple fiber-optic endfaces, is provided. The microscope includes a tip (208) capable of interfacing with the connector. The microscope also includes an adjustment assembly (203 and/or 205) attached to the tip, the adjustment assembly adapted to move the imaging axis (210) of the microscope relative to the tip along an axis of motion to selectively align the imaging axis between adjacent endfaces. The microscope further includes a drive assembly (105, 110, 120, 204, and/or 211) interfaced with the adjustment assembly, the drive assembly capable of actuating the adjustment assembly to displace the imaging axis along the axis of motion to selectively align the imaging axis of the microscope between adjacent endfaces. A method of inspecting the connector is also provided.

Abstract: A microscope for inspecting each optical fiber endface in a multi-fiber connector is disclosed. The microscope includes a tip for interfacing with the multi-fiber connector, a slider assembly connected to the tip, a slider chassis capable of constraining the movement of the slider assembly along an axis of motion, and a cam assembly which forces the slider assembly to move along its constrained axis of motion. The cam assembly is rotated preferably by means of a remotely located adjustment knob. This rotational motion of the cam assembly results in a force against the slider assembly which causes it to move along its constrained axis of motion and, hence, causes the translation of the optical imaging axis of the microscope along the same axis such that each optical fiber endface may be inspected.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus (1100) for cleaning an endface (1104) of an optical fiber (1106), wherein a portion of the optical fiber is contained within an interface device (1103) is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing (1114) having an interface portion (1124) adapted to be received by the interface device. The cleaning apparatus further includes a fluid dispensing assembly (1116) at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein at least a portion (1112) of the fluid dispensing assembly engages the endface when the interface portion is received by the interface device. The fluid dispensing assembly is operable to deliver a fluid and a solvent upon the endface when the interface portion of the housing is received by the interface device to aid in the removal of contaminants on the endface. The cleaning apparatus may include a contact cleaning assembly (1304) and/or a microscope (1408).

Abstract: A microscope for inspecting each optical fiber endface in a multi-fiber connector is disclosed. The microscope includes a tip for interfacing with the multi-fiber connector, a slider assembly connected to the tip, a slider chassis capable of constraining the movement of the slider assembly along an axis of motion, and a cam assembly which forces the slider assembly to move along its constrained axis of motion. The cam assembly is rotated preferably by means of a remotely located adjustment knob. This rotational motion of the cam assembly results in a force against the slider assembly which causes it to move along its constrained axis of motion and, hence, causes the translation of the optical imaging axis of the microscope along the same axis such that each optical fiber endface may be inspected.