This autonomous and virtually instantaneous process eliminates the need for time-consuming searches or manual intervention. This drives down costs for test and assembly in all industrial photonics alignment applications, from wafer probing to final packaging. The PILightning algorithm is available for PI’s ultraclean air bearing stages, Nanocube and fast steering mirror mechanisms and leverages the power of ACS controls.

PILightning is based on a new search method with integrated AI-based real-time executive function. It also replaces fine pitch scanning by high frequency data sampling, raising acquisition speeds. It reduces the time required to acquire first-light in single and double-sided couplings and in loopback (omega) waveguide configurations.

Tests have shown improvements of one order of magnitude and more in single-sided alignment applications. Gains are achieved in double-sided first light detection applications. The larger the search area and the more complex the alignment, the more significant the gain.

The PILightning algorithm is available on PI’s ultraclean air bearing-based F-142 and F-143 multiaxis photonics alignment system as well as ACS-based Nanocube and steering-mirror controllers.