A user of a PSM mentioned that it was too bad that data of spot positions could not be logged in the PSM Align software. This is true, data cannot be logged in the PSM Align software, but there is a version of the software designed for use with the centering station, LCS-PSM Align, that does log data. We do not send this version of the software out with the PSM alone because we figure it is not needed, at least initially, and it just adds more to the time to get familiar with the PSM.
On the other hand...
on Tuesday, 15 March 2022.
Posted in Announcements, News
During the SPIE Optifab Exhibition 18 - 21 October 2021, Robert (Bob) Parks presented a newly published paper.
For more information about this continue reading...
on Wednesday, 29 September 2021.
Posted in Announcements, News
Why start from scratch when you can order a PSM from our website?
It may surprise you but about 15% of Point Source Microscopes (PSMs) purchased are built into custom optical test hardware. Optical Perspectives supplies a CAD model of the PSM to help the customer integrate the PSM into their test hardware design. When the custom hardware is built the PSM is bolted in place, connected to its computer and the test hardware is ready to use as an autocollimator, alignment device or centering sensor.
on Tuesday, 15 June 2021.
Posted in News
From the OSA Publishing Bookshelf
OSA Standards Committee
eds. Ronald K. Kimmel and Robert E. Parks
We hope you appreciate this republication of ISO 10110 Optics and Optical Instruments—Preparation of Drawings for Optical Elements and Systems: A User's Guide, first published in 1995. This open-access republication is intended to give you a feel for the ISO 10110 standard and an overview of its general scope and methodology. It is not intended for use as a standard as it is hopelessly out of date. Copyright 1995
on Tuesday, 04 May 2021.
Posted in Announcements
The other day I got a call from a PSM user asking about calibration. What he was really asking about was the setting of the zero, or origin, on the video screen.
Written by Robert Parks
on Friday, 02 April 2021.
Posted in News, Applications
In general, computer generated holograms (CGHs) and plane Fresnel mirrors (and lenses), made by the same techniques as CGHs, have optical “datums” or foci that are “rigidly attached” to the CGH or Fresnel plane substrate and move in six degrees of freedom with the substrate.
Written by Robert Parks
on Monday, 08 March 2021.
Posted in Applications
Recently, a client asked how well can you focus if you really had to do better? I did not know but it was easy to do an experiment with our centering station that has a motorized stage and the ability to log data as the stage moves.
Written by Robert Parks
on Saturday, 20 February 2021.
Posted in Applications
I needed to measure the height of a free space fiber termination above an optical bench the other day and in the process remembered a question I had been asked in passing. Since I had the pieces of such an experiment in front of me, all I had to do was save a couple of images.
Written by Robert Parks
on Saturday, 20 February 2021.
Posted in Applications
Good news for the New Year, the standard PSM works in the Near IR
Many times potential customers have asked “How far does the PSM work into the infrared?” I told them the standard PSM works as far out as 1050 nm with the CMOS camera that comes with every new PSM because I have used the PSM there with a fiber coupled external source. But some customers want to go farther into the IR.
on Saturday, 23 January 2021.
Posted in News
How well can the Point Source Microscope (PSM) find a point in space?
on Thursday, 03 December 2020.
Posted in Announcements, News
I am sorry to say I did not get to meet any of you personally at either the SPIE Optics and Photonics show in San Diego or the American Society for Precision Engineering Exhibit scheduled for Minneapolis in October.
on Wednesday, 11 November 2020.
Posted in Announcements, News
During the SPIE Optics + Photonics Free Digital Forum
(Online Only) August 24-28 2020,
Robert (Bob) Parks presented two newly published papers.
on Monday, 24 August 2020.
Posted in Announcements, News
This month's PSM application describes measuring the radius of curvature of a spherical surface.
Written by Robert Parks
on Saturday, 06 June 2020.
Posted in Applications
Experimental setup:
A Point Source Microscope (PSM) was mounted on a motorized vertical stage above a 25 mm diameter, 200 mm efl lens sitting above a plane mirror. A square black paper mask with an 8 mm diameter hole was placed over the lens as shown in the figure below to give an f/25 aperture.
Written by Robert Parks
on Tuesday, 05 May 2020.
Posted in Applications
Customers purchasing a PSM often ask me if we offer mounting hardware for the PSM like x-y-z stages.
Written by Robert Parks
on Saturday, 04 April 2020.
Posted in Applications
