International Optics Participation at Eclipse 2017

Casper, WY USA, August 21, 2017
by Bob Smythe

Telescopes and amateur astronomy are hobbies for many optical professionals. Observing a total eclipse is a peak experience for any astronomer, as it dramatically gives a fleeting glimpse of the solar corona and a sense of the precision motions of the solar system.

My first and (to date) only eclipse was in July 1972 in New Brunswick, Canada, seen between thunder heads on a stormy afternoon. I swore that would not be my last. This year, after 45 years, was a chance to see another, and in clear skies of the American west. My expectations were not disappointed.

The Global Optics Community

This eclipse brought together friends and colleagues from around the world and showed me how much we have in common. The build up was enhanced through meeting with colleagues at international, OSA and SPIE conferences and tradeshows from late spring and through the summer.

OPTICS & PHOTONICS International Exhibition, Japan

While visiting Japan I met with Motosuke Kiyohara of Kiyohara Optics, Tokyo, Japan. We immediately found common interest in astronomy (Kiyohara even has a small telescope store next to their home office!) and I learned of his intention to observe the eclipse in Casper WY, my target city too. We agreed to meet for dinner the night before the eclipse IF we could get a hotel. After much frustration we finally got a hotel room and were able to meet as planned and enjoyed a wonderful evening with our Kiyohara friends and family.

OSA Optical Fabrication and Testing

At OF&T in July I met my friend Dave Stephenson (Jenoptik Jupiter FL). We discussed the eclipse and our intentions to travel to Wyoming. The problem was hotels. On Dave’s recommendation we booked a hotel closer to centerline. Upon checking in at the Ramada Cheyenne we ran into Dave and his wife adding a very pleasant surprise! Plus the hotel was a buzz of eclipse chasers with Sky and Telescope magazine hosting seminars in the hotel.

SPIE Optics & Photonics

At SPIE Optics and Photonics Senior Member breakfast the eclipse was the center of discussion. Three table members from Ball Aerospace, Boulder CO were heading up to Wyoming to observe the eclipse. The big question was how to deal with the traffic, but the excitement was building.

During the exhibits I ran into John Hayes. John and I were competitors for years as we worked to serve the same customers with our interferometers, he at Wyko and me at Zygo®. It was a pleasure to learn of his dedication to amateur astronomy and his intentions to view the eclipse in Oregon, his home state. We learned that we grew up within 10 Km of each other in the Detroit MI area, are were part of the same astronomy club, observed at the same sites and never knew each other!

Casper WY Festivities

Viewing solar prominences indicated the west side of the corona would be more active due to a sun spot coming into view on the eastern solar horizon and it was.

The Eclipse!

With near perfect skies Casper WY turned out to be a fortunate choice. The views of the corona and solar prominences were subtle and awe inspiring even through simple binoculars or simply the naked eye. This eclipse let me see how like minded the global optics community is, even previous competitors! Something to keep in mind and appreciate as we enjoy the pursuit of our careers.

September 11, 2017March 13, 2018

China International Optoelectronic Exposition (CIOE)

The China International Optoelectronic Exposition (CIOE) is the world’s largest exhibition serving the optics & photonics industry. 2017 was Äpre Instruments first occasion to actively participate and exhibit at CIOE.

Strong interest in ÄPRE’s S-Series Interferometers in China

With more than 60,000 visitors attending CIOE over the four days of the exhibition, booth traffic was heavy every day and there was tremendous interest shown in ÄPRE’s high performance S-Series interferometers, Reveal Software and our new SCI technology.

Optics professionals from the world over were in attendance at CIOE and all found it helpful, positive and refreshing to visit with APRE and learn that there is a company addressing the needs and requirements for high performance – high precision optical metrology and interferometry.

With a new Chinese distributor, Chongqing Fuma Precision Equipment Company, growing interferometer sales in China and our well-received participation at CIOE, it is safe to say Äpre Instruments is now well positioned for solid business growth in China.

July 25, 2017March 13, 2018

Laser Munich 2017

Jan Posthumas of LaserPeak (on left) and Don Pearson, ÄPRE’s VP Sales (on right)

Don Pearson, our VP Sales and Jan Posthumas, of LaserPeak (ÄPRE Representative) presented ÄPRE’s S100|HR interferometer in Munich this June. Once again we were pleased to meet with, and make new friends while co-exhibiting with the PTB’s HLEM (Hi-Level Experts Meeting) group.

Presented was the S100|HR, part of ÄPRE’s S-Series interferometers with diffraction limited imaging to 50 µm resolution (S50|HR), and all with <0.1% image distortion and <λ/20 retrace errors even at 6.5 fringes/mm.

We were also pleased with the interest in our new SCI based system that electronically remove back reflections from measurements and we look forward to discussing this more in the future.

February 12, 2017April 24, 2020

Photonics West 2017 Introductions

Don Pearson, VP Sales and Takuya Mikami of Okamoto Optics Works discuss ÄPRE’s S100|HR interferometer

It was great to meet many new and old friends in San Francisco at Photonics West. Tradeshows give all of us an opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing us and discovering how working together we can help each other. Photonics West was no exception.

This year we introduced the latest member of ÄPRE, Don Pearson Vice President Sales. Don comes to ÄPRE with a long history selling and applying interferometers and is known to many in the industry. Previously of Mahr and Trioptics Don is looking forward to meeting you and seeing how we can work together.

We also introduced to Photonics West our S100|HR laser Fizeau interferometer. We are pleased at its reception and how measuring mid-spatial frequencies and form with one instrument is a cost and time savings. Plus accurately measuring 5X more slopes gets the final figuring process started sooner, saving time.

Contact us to discuss how we might work together.

June 13, 2016January 4, 2018

S100|HR Introduced at Optatec

Piotr demonstrates the S100|HR to a visitor

S100|HR Fizeau Interferometer Introduced

The new S100|HR laser Fizeau interferometer was introduced at the Optatec tradeshow in Frankfurt Germany this past week. We are excited by the industry’s response to a high-performance system offered at a fair price, and the continued interest in interferometer upgrades. The S100|HR was displayed measuring in the vibration insensitive mode and performed flawlessly.

This year we co-exhibited with the PTB working group for precision optical metrology. Thank you to Heiko and his team for coordinating the booth set up and the great catering! Everyone was very supportive.

OptoTech GmbH displayed our S100|HR integrated into their new OWI 150 Inverse workstation. This high performance workstation measures radius of curvature over 1 meter and surface figure while using ÄPRE’s REVEAL software in an OEM configuration. This is a great example of the power of REVEAL to automatically read the Z position to measure radius of curvature and to be modified to a specific customers requirement. OptoTech favors a more classic appearance including a dark blue background to be more familiar to users.

Again thank you to all who visited us at Optatec this year.

Our next show is Optics and Photonics in San Diego California. See you there!

February 23, 2016March 13, 2018

Photonics West 2016

Zygo® GPI™ Upgrades Introduced

The First Phase Measuring Interferometer at Bell Labs

At Photonics West we introduced a new product, upgrading Zygo® GPI™ and Mark IV™ interferometers. This also includes the VeriFire™ line of interferometers. All these system are basically the same with minor variations and which we can accommodate.

We are pleased by the growing excitement about our ÄPRE REVEAL™ software. Its backward compatibility with MetroPro® file types and unique traceable metrology make it the production software of choice.

Also several other exhibitors displayed products run by REVEAL. Davidson Optronics again displayed their 12″ Fizeau interferometer, designed in concert with Äpre Instruments, along with the PSM micro-profiler both using REVEAL. M3 displayed their new 3.39um IR interferometer using REVEAL software.
See you in Frankfurt at Optatec 2016.®™

October 19, 2015January 4, 2018

SPIE: Optifab Rochester NY

It was great making new acquaintances and meeting old friends in Rochester. Optifab continues to be a premier event for optical manufacturers and equipment makers alike. Even the autumn weather did not disappoint.

The REVEAL v1.3 reception was excellent! The new features and capabilities struck a positive cord regarding ease of use and functionality. Especially of interest is REVEAL’s unique reporting function. The ability to create a custom report template for each customer, and not just print out a screen dump, makes shipping documentation easier and meaningful at the same time.

Upgrades to classic interferometers continues to be a hot item. Several times old friends stopped by to say hello, to learn that a useless interferometer they had sitting in a corner could be easily resurrected, with improved performance, and at a low cost.

We can feel the momentum building as REVEAL powers new OEM interferometer applications and the easy upgrade of classic interferometer. Let us know how we can help with your optical test interferometry needs.

February 26, 2015January 4, 2018

Photonics West – REVEAL & 12″ Fizeau

We had an exciting and active Photonics West this year.

Co-exhibiting with Davidson Optronics we demonstrated Davidson’s new 12″ interferometer, designed by Äpre Instruments with Davidson, for Davidson’s manufacture and sales. ÄPRE performed all the sensor’s optical, optical mechanical design, system electronics, firmware and software, which of course runs on REVEAL™. This was an exciting project and a good example of our capabilities. Designed in 13 months, it was a pleasure working with Davidson on this project.

Our OEM REVEAL™ software was a big hit! Both as a basis for interferometer upgrades as well as OEM applications.

We also demonstrated a $44,500 optical profiler running on REVEAL™. It can measure large, >150 mm diameter surfaces, or small optics depending on the configuration.

We look forward to meeting you at our next tradeshow.