Industrializing advanced photonic metrology
How PISÉO transforms a laboratory setup into reliable industrial equipment for Non-Destructive Testing
In the semiconductor and integrated photonics industries, a component’s final performance depends directly on the quality of the material used. When a crystal defect is detected too late, after costly manufacturing steps, the industrial losses become irrecoverable.
Identifying these defects early on is therefore a major strategic challenge. However, this requires a measurement system capable of moving beyond the experimental framework to become a reliable, reproducible and usable tool in an industrial environment.
It is precisely at this critical juncture, the transition from scientific proof to industrial equipment, that PISÉO adds value.
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The test bench developed enables the non-destructive characterization of advanced materials used in integrated photonics, particularly lithium niobate (LiNbO?), a material essential for electro-optical and nonlinear devices.
The objective is clear: to have a tool capable of qualifying the material in order to support informed industrial decision-making.
The system thus enables:
- Mapping of crystal quality,
- Detection of dislocations and anisotropies,
- Qualification of substrates up to 300 mm,
- Reduction of technological and financial risks prior to industrialization.
The bench thus becomes a true industrial decision-making tool, enabling rapid validation of material compliance before committing to critical production stages.
The solution is based on an advanced nonlinear reflectometry technique that utilizes second harmonic generation (SHG).
The material is illuminated with an infrared femtosecond laser and the optical response generated at twice the fundamental frequency is analyzed. The observed variations, combined with the analysis of polarization states, reveal signatures directly linked to the crystalline structure.
Unlike conventional optical approaches, this method allows for the detection of invisible structural defects while remaining completely non-destructive.
While performance relies on beam physics, its reproducibility depends primarily on the opto-mechanical design.
Grazing incidence, micrometric focusing and the detection of extremely weak signals demand exceptional mechanical and thermal stability. The slightest displacement or drift compromises metrological validity.
PISÉO has therefore designed a complete architecture integrating:
- A high-power femtosecond laser (~2 W),
- Micrometric beam shaping and focusing,
- Custom opto-mechanical assemblies guaranteeing rigidity and long-term alignment,
- Multi-axis motorized stages ensuring sub-micrometric positioning,
- A high-sensitivity detection chain based on a photomultiplier tube (PMT) and strict spectral filtering.
The manufacturing of these sub-assemblies involves a network of partners specializing in precision machining, selected and managed by PISÉO. This comprehensive mastery of opto-mechanical design and integrated automation provides a decisive competitive advantage, ensuring system stability throughout extended measurement campaigns.
Without this stability, reliable industrial operation is impossible.
The difference between an experimental device and industrial equipment lies not in the components used but in the system engineering that connects them.
Every design choice was made with the entire test bench in mind to ensure:
- Operator safety,
- Long-term reliability,
- Maintainability,
- Metrological repeatability.
The integration of a Class 4 laser source illustrates this approach: energy density calculations, optical sizing, management of ultrashort pulses, and the integration of control devices enable safe operation in an industrial environment.
The system thus maintains its performance during mapping operations involving several hundred measurement points taken over several hours, without alignment drift or signal degradation.
Advanced photonics projects rarely fail for scientific reasons.
They fail during the transition to industrialization.
A custom-built optical bench then becomes much more than a measuring instrument: it serves as a strategic lever that enables you to:
Transfer innovations to production in a controlled manner.
Qualify materials early in the process,
Reduce process risks,
Secure substrate investments,
Accelerate time-to-market,
PISÉO, a partner in the industrialization of photonic technologies
Transforming a scientific innovation into a sustainable industrial advantage requires much more than just optical expertise. It requires a combined mastery of optics, precision mechanics, and systems engineering.
This is precisely the role that PISÉO plays for its industrial partners: designing, securing, and industrializing complex optical systems capable of operating reliably in demanding environments.
Choosing PISÉO means relying on a partner capable of transforming laboratory-based technology into operational, robust, and durable industrial equipment.
