business profile
The product lines fall broadly into two families – PhaseCam and FizCam. The PhaseCam Twyman-Green interferometers are suitable for metrology of large diameter optical components, production floor quality control, clean room applications typically hampered by air flow turbulence, environmental chambers where remote operation is essential, and modal analysis of moving parts, such as deformable mirrors, spinning disks, or vibrating membranes. The FizCam dynamic Fizeau interferometers
are suited to large aperture measurements, and the on-axis design eliminates many of the calculations and corrections usually required by tilted beam Fizeau systems. They are most suited to general optics and large diameter optical component testing, as well as analysis of moving parts. ‘We also introduced a FizCam model with a
very short coherence length,’ adds Millerd, ‘which allows us to achieve surface isolation. If you have very thin glass with parallel surfaces, you can isolate the front and back surfaces. One couldn’t normally do this due to interference from either plate, but the short coherence length enables this to be possible.’
We strive for
partnerships with our customers. We work hand in hand with them to solve the problem they have
The most recent product is the NanoCam Sq, which is a microscope-based system for measuring surface roughness at micron-level horizontal resolution and Angstrom-level vertical resolution. ‘One of the advantages of this system is that one can mount it directly on large optics,’ says Millerd. ‘It can be linked to computer-controlled machinery and be used to scan over very large areas.’ The application space for 4D products continues to expand from the base of astronomy, aerospace and general optics testing into new and promising areas. Looking ahead, Millerd says life sciences is one of the areas in which he foresees growth: ‘We’ve been looking at applications where our products could be used to look at living cells, for example.’ Around two-thirds of 4D’s products are
standard models, with the remainder being bespoke solutions for specialised applications. Instruments are installed on site, and users receive all the training they need on the operation of the instrument and its associated software. Indeed, customer service is a very important part of the 4D
www.electrooptics.com March 2011 l eleCtro optiCs 7
operation. ‘We have a dedicated team of people focused on customer service alone,’ says Millerd. ‘We also have an excellent software team that is able to respond to customer requests for updates and improvements. ‘All of our team are very experienced in optical
metrology,’ he adds. ‘Some have been involved in it for 20 or 30 years or so, and our sales folk are very knowledgeable about the details of optical interferometry and applications. This means we can quickly guide customers to the right solution.’ Millerd sums up why customers should choose
4D products over those of a competitor: ‘We have innovative products. If you’re looking to make high precision measurements, and you want to use the latest and greatest, you should definitely talk to us! We strive for partnerships with our customers. We work hand in hand with them to solve the problem they have, often with an eye to developing a product to add to our stable. As a relatively small company – we have around 30 people here in Tucson – we can often tackle the unique problems that larger companies are not set up to deal with.’ l
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40