METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING CLEAVE ANGLE METROLOGY FOR AN OPTICAL FIBER
A system for measuring a cleave angle of an optical fiber includes a light source configured to emit light and an optical fiber having a proximal tip, a distal tip, and a longitudinal axis. The optical fiber receives the light emitted by the light source at the proximal tip and emits characterization light from the distal tip. The system includes a first camera facing toward the optical fiber. The first camera measures a first position of the distal tip and a first angle corresponding to the longitudinal axis. The system includes a second camera facing toward the optical fiber, wherein the second camera measures a second position of the distal tip and a second angle corresponding to the longitudinal axis. The system also includes a position sensing device operable to measure the characterization light emitted from the distal tip.
1 . A system for measuring a cleave angle of an optical fiber, the system comprising:
a light source configured to emit light;
an optical fiber having a proximal tip, a distal tip, and a longitudinal axis, wherein the optical fiber is configured to receive the light emitted by the light source at the proximal tip and to emit characterization light from the distal tip;
a first camera facing toward the optical fiber, wherein the first camera is configured to measure a first position of the distal tip and a first angle corresponding to the longitudinal axis;
a second camera facing toward the optical fiber, wherein the second camera is configured to measure a second position of the distal tip and a second angle corresponding to the longitudinal axis; and
a position sensing device operable to measure the characterization light emitted from the distal tip.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first camera is disposed along a direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the second camera is disposed along a direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first camera and the second camera are disposed in directions that are orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and the first camera is disposed along a direction that is orthogonal to the second camera.
5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a first backlight disposed opposite the first camera and operable to illuminate at least the distal tip of the optical fiber.
6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second backlight disposed opposite the second camera and operable to illuminate at least the distal tip of the optical fiber.
7 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an optical fiber chuck configured to support the optical fiber.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the optical fiber chuck comprises a mechanical clamp or a vacuum clamp.
9 . A method for measuring a cleave angle of an optical fiber, the method comprising:
providing an optical fiber having a longitudinal axis and a distal tip characterized by a cleave angle;
imaging the distal tip of the optical fiber;
determining, based on the imaging, a pose of the distal tip of the optical fiber;
emitting light from a light source, wherein the optical fiber is configured to receive the light emitted by the light source;
emitting characterization light from the distal tip of the optical fiber;
detecting, at an image sensor, the characterization light; and
determining, based on the characterization light and the pose of the distal tip of the optical fiber, the cleave angle of the optical fiber.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising an optical fiber chuck configured to support the optical fiber.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein determining the pose of the optical fiber includes translating the optical fiber chuck and the optical fiber along the longitudinal axis.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein translating comprises displacing the optical fiber along the longitudinal axis.
13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the pose of the distal tip of the optical fiber includes a position and angle.
14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the imaging is performed by a first camera and a second camera, the first camera and the second camera being disposed in directions that are orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the first camera measures a first position of the distal tip and a first angle corresponding to the longitudinal axis.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the second camera measures a second position of the distal tip and a second angle corresponding to the longitudinal axis.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the first camera is disposed along a direction that is orthogonal to the second camera.
18 . The method of claim 9 , wherein detecting, at the image sensor, the characterization light includes determining a position of the characterization light.
19 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising illuminating the distal tip via a first backlight disposed opposite the first camera and a second backlight disposed opposite the second camera.
20 . A system for measuring a cleave angle of an optical fiber, the system comprising:
a light source configured to emit light;
an optical fiber having a proximal tip, a distal tip, and a longitudinal axis, wherein the optical fiber is configured to receive the light emitted by the light source at the proximal tip and to emit characterization light from the distal tip;
a multi-stage axis configured to support the optical fiber and translate the optical fiber is a first direction and/or a second direction;
a first camera facing toward the optical fiber, wherein the first camera is configured to measure a first position of the distal tip and a first angle corresponding to the longitudinal axis;
a second camera facing toward the optical fiber, wherein the second camera is configured to measure a second position of the distal tip and a second angle corresponding to the longitudinal axis; and
a position sensing device operable to measure the characterization light emitted from the distal tip.