MALT-1

Lens Testing System

The Multi-Axis Lens Tester (MALT-1) is a dedicated system specifically designed for measuring the polarization properties of lenses in transmission. This advanced testing system addresses the unique challenges of lens measurement by providing independent movement capabilities for the PSA and PSG to account for the refractive properties of lenses.

Request Info

Key Features

The MALT-1 Is specifically designed to allow fully automatic polarization testing of optical lenses. With completely hands-free operation, the system is well-suited for use on production lines or for testing large numbers of data points across samples for R&D and QC purposes. Key features include:

Motorized Tilt Track: Automatically sets the input beam and collected beam and across ±45°.
Motorized Sample Rotation Stage: Enables 360° rotation for comprehensive lens analysis.
Beam Tracking Camera: Tracks the refracted output beam position and angle, and feeds results back to the system for automatic adjustment.
Motorized Tilt and Yaw Adjustment: Fine-tuning the pitch and yaw of the collection sensor (PSA) based on tracking camera feedback.

Custom inserts designed for each lens to be tested can be provided. The inserts include kinematic alignment for easy repeatable loading.

Applications

The MALT-1 is idea for measuring all possible polarization properties of any lens. Common applications include:

Molded Lens Birefringence: Analyzes the internal stress patterns within molded lenses.
Polarization Films on Curved Surfaces: Measures the polarization properties of films applied to non-flat surfaces.
Polarization Directed Lenses (PDL) and Geometric Phase Lenses (GPL): Assesses specialized lenses designed for specific polarization effects.
Pancake Lenses and Polarized Catadioptric Optics: Evaluates complex optical systems combining reflective and refractive components.
Liquid Crystal Variable Lenses: Tests lenses that change properties based on electrical input.
Switchable Waveplates: Measures waveplates that alter polarization state under certain conditions.
Mueller Matrix Data: Collects comprehensive polarization data for integration into optical design software.

Our easy-to-use software allows the operator to set up nearly any pattern of input meridional rays, and the software automatically calculates the refracted beams based on the paraxial focal length, or based on a real lens prescription.

The integrated two-axis beam tracking camera then optical locates the refracted beam and fine-tunes the position and angle of the polarization state analyzer (PSA) to ensure accurate measurements.

Example Measurements

The example measurements shown below represent several of the common applications for the MALT-1, however many additional applications are possible. Contact Axometrics to discuss your unique measurement requirements.

Strain birefringence at the filling gate of a plastic injection molded lens.

Retardance map of a half-wave retarder film laminated to the concave surface of a lens under parallel-beam illumination.

Identifying the diffracted peaks of a geometric phase lens (GPL) and measure the ellipticity of the transmitted beams vs. wavelegnth.

Polarization Reference Standards

Axometrics provides a wide range of calibration standards that are used to verify the accuracy of our measurement systems as well as allowing the user to monitor the long-term stability of their instrument.

CAL-VIS-1

The CAL-VIS-1 is a true zero-order quartz waveplate with a retardance of approximately 185 nm. The retarder is mounted in block with a precision edge that is carefully aligned to the fast-axis of the retarder. The purpose of this calibration standard is to act as an absolute retardance orientation reference for all Axometrics measurement systems used in transmission as well as providing a calibrated retardance magnitude standard at a specified wavelength (usually λ=589nm)

Specifications

Dimensions: 40.7 mm x 40.7 mm x 12.7 mm
Clear Aperture: 13.8 mm diameter
Retardance Value: Approximately 185nm (measured at λ=589nm)
Retardance accuracy: < 0.5⁰ (measured at λ=589nm)
Fast-Axis: Aligned to mechanical edge to within +/-0.05°
Uniformity: < 1° retardance variation across aperture at 589 nm

CAL-VIS-2

The CAL-VIS-2 is a broad-band wire grid polarizer precision aligned to the reference edge of an aluminum block. The purpose of this calibration standard is to act as an absolute transmission axis (and absorption axis) orientation reference for all Axometrics measurement systems used in transmission.

Specifications

Dimensions: 40.7 mm x 40.7 mm x 12.7 mm
Aperture: 13.8 mm diameter
Transmission Axis: Aligned to mechanical edge to within +/-0.05°
Axis Uniformity: < 0.1° polarizer axis variation across aperture at 589 nm.
Uniformity: < 0.1° polarizer axis variation across 400 – 800 nm wavelength range.
Ellipticity: <0.1% diattenuation ellipticity

CAL-VIS-RCP

The CAL-VIS-RCP is a precision aluminum fixture which contains a wire grid polarizer carefully aligned at 45° to the fast-axis of a true-zero-order quartz waveplate. These components form a nearly perfect circular polarizer at a specified wavelength. The purpose of this calibration standard is a calibrated circular polarization state.

Specifications

Dimensions: 40.7 mm x 40.7 mm x 25.4mm
Aperture: 13.8 mm diameter
Circular polarization state with ellipticity =1.000 ± 0.005 at one wavelength (approx. 540 nm)
Polarization ellipticity reported at all wavelengths 400 to 800 nm

Software

Cras quis congue massa. Integer ullamcorper sollicitudin lectus, at placerat tortor fringilla sed. Sed non varius turpis. Suspendisse accumsan rhoncus odio non ullamcorper. Morbi vel ipsum vestibulum, fermentum odio vitae, lobortis enim. Proin at eros sed nisi.

Brochure Request Info

Overview

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis justo arcu, aliquam eu sem at, mollis auctor leo. Aliquam lobortis dolor non enim bibendum, sit amet euismod orci tincidunt. Aliquam laoreet ultrices odio, eget ultrices nulla fermentum nec. Nam et massa varius, egestas risus sed, posuere arcu. Aliquam rhoncus scelerisque erat ornare bibendum. Nulla bibendum sapien eu ex fringilla, vitae faucibus dolor maximus. Cras eget elit ut enim finibus placerat vitae sed magna. Etiam condimentum faucibus felis. Maecenas consectetur tellus lacus, in tempor dui pretium a. Morbi sem sem, dictum a lacus eu, egestas suscipit enim.

Applications

Phasellus finibus fermentum enim volutpat placerat. Proin congue vitae elit a ultrices. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia curae; Donec nulla nisl, feugiat varius diam consequat, malesuada venenatis arcu. In interdum risus id ipsum consectetur, quis molestie sem ullamcorper. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Sed sagittis, tellus eget dictum finibus, lacus velit eleifend lacus, id sodales turpis dolor at tortor. Curabitur elementum, enim vel aliquet ullamcorper, elit lectus semper felis, ac ornare elit ligula eget neque. Curabitur non ipsum felis. Donec ut ante in tellus congue finibus quis iaculis mi. Pellentesque blandit massa et elit iaculis lobortis. Donec in est nec magna fringilla gravida id eget ligula. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Maecenas vitae elementum dolor.

Models

Proin diam justo, hendrerit non quam ut, porta tristique velit. Integer accumsan suscipit metus sed consequat. Integer sed massa a ante condimentum sollicitudin. Ut ut nunc neque. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Sed ornare feugiat felis quis mollis. Praesent elementum nec ipsum eu consequat. Donec dictum arcu vitae lorem eleifend, ut ullamcorper libero rutrum. Ut lacus urna, faucibus non neque quis, volutpat ullamcorper mauris. Quisque eget lectus eget mauris ultricies cursus ut sit amet justo. Quisque libero mauris, auctor at urna at, feugiat semper purus. Maecenas pretium sollicitudin vestibulum. Proin ultricies, odio in finibus mollis, neque sem rhoncus lacus, nec luctus turpis leo at diam.

Specifications

Curabitur lacus lacus, vehicula vehicula dictum non, iaculis non nibh. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Etiam eu sollicitudin tortor, sed elementum dolor. Fusce gravida augue elit, id hendrerit felis cursus non. Vivamus commodo nisl sit amet magna consequat auctor at fringilla sem. Donec quam dui, semper sit amet vehicula nec, molestie malesuada mi. Suspendisse vulputate, mauris a posuere sollicitudin, dui sapien accumsan lacus, sed efficitur diam sem sed ligula. Aenean faucibus dignissim consectetur. Praesent mollis diam ac leo convallis sollicitudin. Maecenas aliquam pulvinar lectus. Nunc lacinia sit amet leo porttitor ullamcorper.

FAQs

Sed eget purus finibus, congue nisi at, ornare metus. Cras auctor rutrum urna et placerat. Proin non varius diam, in tempor libero. Proin tempus urna vitae ornare ornare. Ut semper nunc et scelerisque vulputate. Aenean eget urna justo. Proin vestibulum justo eleifend placerat sodales. Morbi sem velit, efficitur id tristique nec, dictum id ante. Duis congue lacinia purus at venenatis. Nullam tristique tincidunt lacus a porttitor.