Metrology
Laser light has unique properties for measuring distances, movements, areas etc as the wavelength and other properties of the laser are well controlled. To optimally benefit from this potential, we believe laser photonics should be more simple, robust, compact and cost effective. We enable this potential with our modules based on broadband (400-2300nm) Photonic Integrated Circuits.
LXI designs and manufactures customized modules for photonic OEMs and System integrators. The PIC modules are based on our photonic integration technology and can manipulate laser light by splitting beams, combining beams, controlling intensity, phase, mode size and input- output configurations.
Our PIC modules are used in different types of products in Metrology applications, like Laser Interferometry (homodyne, heterodyne, and multiwavelength), OCT, and spectrometry.
In many applications for optical metrology, one or more lasers are used to measure distances, surfaces, or motion. Typically, the position and spot size of the light at the substrate or target is subjected to tight specifications. These systems are currently built using discrete optical components. Our PICs are beneficial for these applications as they increase robustness, reliability, and compactness, and open the route to new methods of measuring.
On-Chip Spectrometry
Visible light photonic integrated circuits have been deployed in spectrometry, as in the EU-funded project InSPECT. The project aimed for the development of an integrated spectrometer for optical tissue characterization. The characterization method, known as Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy, uses a broadband light source to illuminate a tissue sample. The tissue scatters light at wavelengths characteristic of the tissue type and its condition. To identify this response regardless of tissue type and possible condition, the collection of a broad spectrum of light and its subsequent separation is required. This was achieved using arrayed-waveguide gratings (AWGs), which is a standard building block included in our visible light MPW process design kit.
Each AWG separated the input light into its component wavelengths. By cascading multiple AWGs, the scattered light was separated into increasingly narrow wavebands, each carrying a specific section of the spectrum. The device ended in 50 light channels, which were hybrid-integrated with dedicated photodetectors.