2011 Industry Prize for Polytec's UHF-120 Vibrometer

The UHF-120 Ultra-High Frequency Vibrometer won the 2011 Industry Prize for outstanding innovation in the category of microsystems engineering.

The award was judged by a panel of professors and trade press experts according to the level of innovation and future potential of the products.

The UHF-120 captures high-frequency vibrations and transient motion processes according to the principle of optical Doppler interferometry. The instrument can be applied to completely new applications due to its ability to measure frequencies up to 1.2 GHz (50 times higher than conventional vibrometers). The UHF-120 provides direct optical measurement and subsequent motion visualization of novel microelectromechanical and microelectronic devices, such as RF-MEMS (as used in mobile phones), NEMS, ultrasonic transducers (as used in medical devices), or SAW and BAW filters.

The visualization method is comparable to a camera, capable of resolving minute vibration amplitudes of less than 1 pm, and ultra-high-frequency motions of up to 1.2 GHz. With the UHF-120, development engineers now can characterize the mechanical properties of a new device easily and precisely, leading to better products and shorter development cycles.

Polytec has a history of receiving prestigious research and industry awards. For example, in 2009 the company was awarded the Innovation Award of the German Economy for the RoboVib Structural Test Station and the MessTec & Sensor Masters Award for the Optical Derotator.