4D Technology has introduced a new line of polarization cameras for image enhancement, stress measurement, polarimetry and other applications. The PolarCam™ snapshot micropolarizer camera simultaneously captures four polarization states in each video frame, enabling a range of image enhancement techniques and polarimetric measurements. Compact, fast and field-proven, these unique cameras serve applications in process control,

4D Technology Corporation, manufacturer of optical metrology systems, has introduced a Vertical Digital Radius Slide for precise Radius of Curvature (ROC) measurement of concave or convex optics. The Vertical Digital Radius Slide (VDRS) provides axial positioning resolution to 1 µm for extremely accurate Radius of Curvature measurement using 4D Technology’s AccuFiz® compact laser interferometers. The

4D Technology is excited to name LOT Quantum Design as a new distributor for 4D products in Italy. LOT have been one of the leading European distributors of high-tech instrumentation and consumables for scientific, academic and industrial research for over 45 years. We look forward to working with the LOT team to provide an improved

Amazing image from a 4D PolarCam taken during today’s solar eclipse, at approx. 10:16am PST in Corvallis, Oregon. The image here is showing the measured AoLP (Angle of Linear Polarization). The polarized light in the corona is believed to be primarily from Thompson scattering from electrons in the strong magnetic fields around the sun. Several

Michael North-Morris, PhD, has been named a Senior Member of SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics. Senior Member status is given to members of distinction in honor of their professional experience, their active involvement with the optics community and SPIE, and/or significant performance that sets them apart from their peers. Dr. North Morris,

This video shows how to optimize the brightness (intensity) level to achieve the best measurements with the 4D InSpec Surface Gauge. Click here to watch the video.

4D Technology presented this webinar discussing improved methods and technologies for high resolution, shop-floor surface defect measurement on Tuesday, July 18, 2017. Registration is closed for the webinar. Accurate measurement of surface defects is essential to the long life and performance of precision components for aerospace, automotive, and other applications.  The challenge facing inspectors is how

The 4D InSpec Surface Gauge is featured in Advanced Manufacturing’s article, “Roughness, Profiles and Surfaces—Getting Them Right.” Read the Advanced Manufacturing article here to learn about measuring surface features and defects in high resolution with the 4D InSpec. Learn more about the 4D InSpec Surface Gauge.

A few months ago we reported that NASA had successfully completed a Center of Curvature (COV) of the James Webb Space Telescope prior to rigorous mechanical testing to simulate launch conditions. The COV test, which measures the shape of Webb’s main mirror, was completed using a 4D Technology PhaseCam 4020 High Power High Speed interferometer. The

The 4D InSpec Surface Gauge was named one of seven finalists in the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences’ CTMA (Commercial Technologies for Maintenance Activities) Awards 2017. The NCMS and the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Maintenance Policy and Programs (MPP) issued the 2017 CTMA Technology Competition to introduce new technologies to DoD’s maintenance

4D Technology recently hosted students from the University of Arizona’s Optical Sciences college on a tour of the 4D facilities in Tucson, Arizona. Kevin Erwin, who teaches an optical engineering outreach class at Optical Sciences, arranges a tour each semester to a local company that manufactures products involving optical technology. The tours help students, both

Stephen J. Martinek, 4D Technology’s Director of Sales, recently participated as a panelist at the “Discover Global Markets: Advanced Manufacturing” Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mr. Martinek provided his extensive experience in worldwide instrument sales to the “Experts on Exporting” panel. The conference was hosted by the U.S. Commercial Service and the Arizona District Export Council,

Precision components for aerospace, automotive, and other applications must be inspected throughout production for damage, and throughout their life span for wear, corrosion and defects. Inspectors face challenges in determining the severity of defects and the depth of desired features such as laser marking or dot peening. Visual comparison techniques are quick and inexpensive but

Tucson, AZ, November 30, 2016 – 4D Technology Corporation, manufacturer of optical metrology systems, has introduced the adjustable Surface Isolation Source (SIS) for its AccuFiz Fizeau laser interferometers. Plane-parallel optics are transparent components with parallel faces, or optical systems with two or more parallel surfaces. Measuring plane-parallel optics with a laser interferometer can be challenging

4D’s new The 4D InSpec Surface Gauge is the first handheld, precision instrument for non-contact measurement of surface features and defects. With micrometer-level resolution, portability, affordability and ease-of-use, the 4D InSpec puts high resolution measurement on the factory floor, in machine shops and in field service applications. The 4D InSpec brings high resolution, 3D surface

The Optical Society of America (OSA) recently honored the Advanced LIGO Engineering Team with the 2016 Paul F. Forman Team Engineering Excellence Award. Chris Guido, now an Optical Engineer with 4D Technology, was part of the team that was honored. The Advanced LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) Engineering Team received the award for their participation

Taking a “before” optical measurement of the JWST deployed mirror is crucial before the telescope goes into several stages of rigorous mechanical testing. Testing was recently conducted by a team from NASA Goddard, Ball Aerospace of Boulder, Colorado, and the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, to simulate the violent sound and vibration environments

Dr. Erik Novak, 4D Technology’s Director of New Business Development, will be presenting a paper entitled, “In-line High Resolution 3D Surface Measurements for Substrate Characterization” at the FLEX2016 Europe conference. Dr. Novak’s talk will be given on Wednesday, October 26, 12:05pm, as part of Session 6 (Flexible Hybrid Electronics Manufacturing: Challenges and Solutions). FLEX2016 Europe

Dr. Erik Novak was recently selected as a Senior Member of the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE). Dr. Novak was nominated for achievements in optical metrology applications to solve a broad range of industrial issues. SPIE Senior Members are Members of distinction who are honored for their professional experience, active involvement with the

The 4D InSpec Surface Gauge was awarded an honorable mention for the 2016 Create the Future Design Contest. The contest was launched in 2002 by the publishers of NASA Tech Briefs magazine to help stimulate and reward engineering innovation. The annual event has attracted more than 12,000 product design ideas from engineers, entrepreneurs, and students

4D Technology’s Dr. Joanna Schmit has been named to the Board of Directors for the International Society of Optics and Photonics (SPIE). Newly named Directors, who are elected by a vote of SPIE members, will serve three-year terms for 2017-2019. Congratulations to Dr. Schmit for this recognition. View Dr. Schmit’s SPIE profile.

On September 22, 4D Technology hosted an invitation-only round table discussion with Eric L. Hirschhorn, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security and head of the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). The discussion was attended by members of the Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Optics Industry Association. Mr. Hirschhorn oversees the

4D Technology today announced the 4D InSpec™ Surface Gauge, the first handheld, non-contact instrument that measures precision machined surface defects and features with micrometer-level resolution. The 4D InSpec will debut at the International Manufacturing Technology Symposium (IMTS) 2016 in Chicago, IL, September 12-17, in the 4D Technology Booth E-5852. The 4D InSpec employs 4D’s patented

This recent NASA article discusses a joint effort between NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and 4D to develop a picometer-stability interferometer. 4D is very excited to be working with NASA on this ground-breaking project. NASA Seeks Picometer Accuracy

Tucson, AZ, Feb 18, 2016. 4D Technology Corporation, manufacturer of optical measurement systems, is pleased to announce that its FlexCam Metrology Module was awarded a 2016 Prism Award for best new metrology instrumentation. The FlexCam provides high resolution 3D metrology in a highly compact package. For metrology of large optics, FlexCam can be used as

Tucson, AZ, September 15, 2015. Dr. Erik Novak, Director of Business Development for 4D Technology Corporation, will be presenting at the Plastic Electronics Conference at Semicon Europa 2015. Dr. Novak’s talk, entitled, “In Situ, High Resolution 3D Metrology for Real-time Quality Control in Flexible Electronics ,” will be held on October 7 at 4:00pm in

July 14, 2015 – San Jose, Calif. – FlexTech Alliance today announced the successful conclusion to its Large-Area Roll-to-Roll In-Line Surface Metrology Program with 4D Technology Corporation of Tucson, Arizona. The product, the FlexCamTM Defect and Roughness Metrology Module, was launched to substantial interest in February at 2015FLEX in Monterey and will be featured in

San Jose, Calif. – FlexTech Alliance today announced the successful conclusion to its Large-Area Roll-to-Roll In-Line Surface Metrology Program with 4D Technology Corporation of Tucson, Arizona. The product, the FlexCamTM Defect and Roughness Metrology Module, was launched to substantial interest in February at 2015FLEX in Monterey and will be featured in several upcoming events. This

Tucson, AZ, May 15, 2015 – 4D Technology Corporation, manufacturer of optical metrology systems, has introduced the FlexCam metrology module. The FlexCam is a compact, high resolution 3D metrology system for in situ roll-to-roll measurement of flexible electronics. FlexCam modules provide sub-nanometer vertical resolution and micrometer-scale lateral resolution for in-process roughness and defect quantification for

4D Technology Corporation, manufacturer of optical measurement systems, has introduced two new models to its line of PolarCam polarization cameras. The PolarCam™ snapshot micropolarizer camera simultaneously captures images at 4 polarization angles from each video frame, enabling a range of image enhancement techniques and polarimetric measurements. Compact, fast and field-proven, these unique cameras serve applications

4D Technology Corporation, manufacturer of optical metrology systems, has introduced its newly improved AccuFiz compact laser interferometer for accurate, repeatable measurement of surface shape and transmitted wavefront quality. The AccuFiz Fizeau interferometer offers unmatched performance in production environments as well as in metrology labs, with industry-leading high frequency response and precision, and a 40% improvement

Jack Latchinian, 4D Technology’s West Coast Regional Manager, has been elected President of the Optical Society of Southern California (OSSC) for 2014-2015. OSSC is the largest and most active local Optical Society of America (OSA) chapter in the country. It was founded in 1951 to increase and disseminate the knowledge of optics and closely allied

The 1064nm PhaseCam® 6000 is an extremely compact and lightweight, Twyman-Green interferometer for measuring near-infrared optics and optical systems. With an easy-to-position, fiber-coupled measurement head and motorized controls, the PhaseCam is ideally suited for optical train alignment and testing at a system’s functional wavelength. PhaseCam laser interferometers employ Dynamic Interferometry® technology to acquire measurement data