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Photonics application references · reviewed 14 September 2026
Fiber alignment and precision motion in optical-module assembly
Optical transceivers need more than a stage that returns to the same point. The optical interface, measured coupling signal, angular alignment and attachment process all shape the positioning task.
The following are publicly documented third-party projects and demonstrations. They do not establish customer relationships, endorsement or production suitability of this catalogue’s products.
Reference 01 · Optical transceiver assembly
CALADAN: fiber attachment for Terabit/s optical engines
CALADAN investigated wafer-scale integration for Terabit/s-capable optical engines. ficonTEC describes its role in automated through-substrate fiber alignment and bonding, with optical packaging cost and cycle time as project goals.
What the source reports
The Q1 2024 update reports a delivered vision-based assembly machine using short-wave infrared optics to align the fiber array from the chip backside, with ±1 µm placement accuracy. This result belongs to that complete system.
Read the original · ficonTECEngineering considerations
Separate component handling and coarse positioning from the final optical alignment and attachment step. Confirm the optical interface, alignment tolerance and bonding-induced drift with your process team.
Our selection guidance, based on the workflowReference 02 · Fiber array to PIC
PI: aligning photonic arrays on both sides of a chip
PI’s published photonic-array assembly case study describes fiber arrays coupled to photonic integrated circuits or waveguides. Its active alignment approach uses optical feedback and multi-axis positioning to optimize coupling.
What the source reports
The case contrasts sequential alignment with a parallel multi-channel approach. Performance claims in that report belong to PI’s complete alignment system, including its controller and algorithms.
Read the original · Physik Instrumente (PI)Engineering considerations
For an optical-module development bench, specify the required degrees of freedom and the coupling measurement first. Mechanical repeatability alone does not establish coupling loss or alignment throughput.
Our selection guidance, based on the workflowReference 03 · Co-packaged optics
PICAlign: coordinated multichannel CPO alignment
Aerotech, Santec and SENKO announced a PICAlign demonstration for Photonics West 2026. It combines six-degree-of-freedom motion, synchronized optical measurements and alignment algorithms for multichannel arrays.
What the source reports
The announcement identifies angular alignment as an important challenge for expanded-beam detachable connectors. It is a collaborative technology demonstration, not a published qualification of this catalogue’s stages.
Read the original · Aerotech, Santec and SENKOEngineering considerations
Include angular error, pivot location and measurement synchronization in the specification. Ask for process-specific coupling and repeatability validation rather than selecting only on linear travel.
Our selection guidance, based on the workflowOptical fiber alignment: active alignment and vision positioning
Active alignment uses a measured optical signal to guide positioning toward a coupling optimum. Vision positioning uses an image-based placement reference. The CALADAN example and the optical-feedback examples above illustrate distinct approaches.
A motorized positioning stage supplies motion; the measurement hardware, controller, alignment algorithm and attachment process determine how that motion becomes an optical-module assembly workflow.
Define the process before choosing a stage
- Identify coarse approach, fine alignment and attachment as separate tasks.
- Specify travel, payload, mounting orientation, angular adjustment and cable forces.
- Define positioning accuracy, coupling-loss acceptance and settling requirements separately.
- Confirm controller interfaces, optical-power acquisition and alignment algorithms.
- Validate the complete fixture and process; a catalogue rating is not optical-module yield data.
This catalogue can support an initial mechanical shortlist. It does not document a complete active-alignment controller, piezo fine-positioning system or validated transceiver production cell.
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Share your travel, payload, mounting orientation and accuracy target. Include a model or drawing if you have one.
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