PICOSCALE Sensor Heads: Your Solution for Precise Measurements
Compact, application-ready sensor heads for high-resolution displacement measurement — designed to fit demanding environments, simplify integration, and support reliable results.
Tailored Solutions: SmarAct’s Customization Expertise
- Extremely compact and purely optical design for easy integration into space-constrained setups
- Available for demanding environments including UHV, cryo-temperatures, cleanroom and radiation-sensitive applications
- Configurable sensor-head options to match specific application and integration requirements
Discover the Sensor Head That Fits Your Application
Our PICOSCALE sensor heads are essential equipment to perform high resolution displacement measurements. Inside these miniature laser interferometers, probe and reference beam interfere to create a fringe pattern, which precisely determines the position of the target mirror. SmarAct Metrology developed three distinct classes of sensor heads, each with specialized beam geometries to cater to a broad spectrum of applications.
Tailored Solutions: SmarAct’s Customization Expertise
Not every measurement task can be solved with a standard configuration. SmarAct supports customers with sensor-head solutions tailored to specific optical, mechanical, and environmental requirements — from compact standard integrations to fully customized solutions for UHV, cryogenic, or radiation-sensitive setups.
Specifications
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Sensor Heads |
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| C03 | C04 | F04 | F01 | L01 | |
| Beam Geometry | Collimated | Collimated | Focused | Focused | Line-focused |
| Focal Distance [mm] | 70 (customizable) | 10 (customizable) | 30 or 50 | ||
| Beam Waist Diameter [µm] | 1590 | 350 | 100 ** | 28 * | 50 x 1590 |
| Working Distance [mm] | 13 .. 5000 | 13 … 500 | ± 10 (around focus) | ± 0.5 (around focus) | ± 10 (around focus) |
| Angular Working Range [°] | ± 0.013 | ± 0.075 | ± 0.75 ** | ± 2 * | ± 1.3 along focused axis |
| Environmental Compatibility | Air, HV, UHV | ||||
| Typical Targets | Mirror, Retro-Reflector | Mirror | Small Samples, Mirror | Small Samples, Mirror | Cylindrical Samples |
Mechanical |
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| Dimensions [mm] | 6 x 21 (Ø x L) | 4 x 13 (Ø x L) | 6 x 21 (Ø x L) | 6 x 21 (Ø x L) | 9 x 26 (Ø x L) |
* for a sensor head with 10 mm focal distance.
** for a sensor head with 70 mm focal distance.
Options & Accessories
Discover the full range of PICOSCALE laser interferometer sensor head fiber options designed for high-precision measurement even in confined spaces.
Sensor Head Options and Acessories
PICOSCALE offers a flexible portfolio of sensor-head configurations, fiber options, and mounting accessories to help users build the right metrology setup for their application.
Pre-aligned assemblies
Pre-aligned solutions for angular and differential measurements shorten setup time and support reproducible results.
Mounting and holder options
Compact holders and modular brackets simplify installation and help users integrate sensor heads into existing systems more efficiently.
Fiber and configuration flexibility
A broad range of fiber and sensor-head options supports precision measurement in standard setups as well as space-constrained or customized environments.
Easy Alignment of PICOSCALE Sensor Heads – The SmarAlign Window
With the SmarAlign window, PICOSCALE simplifies one of the most critical steps in interferometric measurement: sensor-head alignment. By giving users immediate visual feedback on beam reflections and signal quality, SmarAlign makes setup more intuitive, reduces uncertainty, and helps teams reach a valid measurement result faster.
Differential Measurements
One major advantage of Michelson-type laser interferometers are the possibility to perform direct differential measurements. By utilizing a sensor head without reference mirror, the user can chose his own reference point. By this, both reference and measurement beam are subject to the identical environmental influences, suppression the influence on the measurements completely. Additionally, common mode vibrations of reference point and target points are intrinsically filetered out as well. The PICOSCALE laser interferometer offers these options for robust, high-precision displacement measurements without the need to post process the data.
Besides the option for external references, PICOSCALE Sensor Heads can be configured in different ways to fit into any setup:
Michelson interferometer configurations
In the standard configuration of a PICOSCALE sensor head, the reference mirror is coated to one of the side surfaces of the beam splitter cube.
As a variant, the beam splitter can be coated to the front surface of the beam splitter cube. This can be advantagous in setups with certain space constraints as the sensor head can "look around the corner".
Another variant of PICOSCALE sensor heads do not have a reference mirror at all. This is unique for Michelson interferometers and allows to perform differential measurements of two targets with several advantages.
Developed Together, Built on Trust
Every measurement challenge starts with a conversation. SmarAct works closely with your team to understand your setup, your constraints and your goals — from the first idea to reliable integration.
With PICOSCALE sensor heads, you benefit not only from precise interferometric measurement technology, but also from personal contact, application-focused guidance and long-term engineering support.
Together, we define a solution that fits your application, your environment and your way of working.
Options & Accessories
Discover pre-aligned assemblies, fiber options, and customization.