Overview
Overview
AxoStep is the industry's first Mueller Matrix imaging microscope. A breakthrough instrument for polarization testing, based on AxoScan's industry-leading principles, capable of measuring all possible polarization properties (the complete Mueller Matrix) for every pixel in an image in as little as 14 seconds.
Unlike typical retardance or birefringence imaging systems, the AxoStep simultaneously measures all transmittance, polarizer, retarder, and depolarization properties. Circular polarizers, elliptical retarders, and optical rotation cannot cause the system to make incorrect measurements.
The AxoStep Mueller Matrix imaging microscope system can perform polarization metrology with a lateral resolution smaller than 1 um, which is 50 times smaller than even the most advanced micro-spot non imaging systems. This level of resolution allows us to measure optical properties of samples that were previously impossible to characterize such as the pre-tilt in the subdomain of individual UHD multi-domain LCD pixels.
Using a wide array of optical accessories, the Axostep system allows the user to view microscopic images of samples in real-time, and when used in conjunction with Axometrics’ advanced analysis properties, measure properties like LCD cell gap and pre-tilt as well as thin film thickness. And like the AxoScan, the AxoStep also includes a wide range of available desktop, large, and production measurement fixtures.
Because AxoStep can view a sample in real time, we can use advanced pattern recognition software to automatically find and measure specific features on the sample.
Applications
Applications
The unique measurement capabilities provided by the Mueller matrix are further expanded using The AxoStep imaging system. The use of imaging polarimetry opens up many additional applications that are inaccessible using non-imaging system. For example
Interpixel LCD Measurement
AxoStep opens the door to measure inside the optical properties inside individual pixels in LCD Panels. No other measurement system can match this unique capability. This capability includes:
- LCD Panels (cell gap, pre-tilt, alignment direction, pre-tilt)
- Variation within individual pixels
- Pre-tilt measurement of multidomain pixel designs
- Damage due to laser repair
- Cell gap variations in pixels near edges, corners, and 'notches' in LCD panels
Patterned Arrays
- Patterned polarizers and retarders for application onto CCD / CMOS arrays
- Geometric phase lenses and vortex retarders
Glass and Plastic Micro-Optics
AxoStep can be used to fully characterize the surface properties and internal stresses of small optics. This is particularly useful in testing lenses used in cell phone camera and augmented reality projectors.
3D Display components
The AxoStep system is uniquely suited to perform detailed measurements of optical components used in 3D displays, including:
- Auto-stereoscopic lenticular arrays
- Patterned waveplates and polarizers
- Film patterned retarders (FPR) and FPR polarizers
Quantitative Polarized Light Microscopy
Polarized light microscopy is widely used to help visualize transparent objects within microscopic samples. However, in some cases quantitative measurements are needed for accurately determining key parameters of the sample. AxoStep simultaneously measures all the polarization properties of the sample to high accuracy:
- Retardation (birefringence) and orientation
- Optical activity (circular retardance)
- Linear dichroism (linear diattenuation)
- Circular dichroism (circular diattenuation)
- Depolarization
Specifications
Specifications
| |
MMIP-VIS |
| Design |
Dual rotating retarder |
| Detector Type |
CMOS camera (10 bit) |
| Max Resolution |
1320 x 1024 |
| Sensor size |
7.87mm (diag) |
| Measurement Time |
14 sec |
| Wavelength Range |
450nm-650nm |
| Available Objective Lenses |
2X, 5X, 10X, 20X, 50X, 100X |
United States