Residual stress is a part of the total stress when an external load is applied to an object. This stress remains inside even after the load is removed. Measuring the residual stress in glasses and plastics is necessary to understand the structural properties . they may offer to a product if they are deformed due to heat, strain or likely to break, and how evenly stress is distributed throughout the sample. An accurate strain analysis of various glass and plastic types is useful in many applications ranging from semiconductor chips to glassware, especially in selecting the right materials. It is challenging to detect any deformities due to strain without using credible and advanced techniques, which show you minute details of where possible strain could be in a glass or plastic piece. Advanced spectroscopic instruments such as polariscope strain viewers play an important role in this regard. This post discusses the importance of polariscopes as an advanced evaluation technique in measuring strain in low-phase difference samples.

Understanding Low Phase Difference of Light

Key points to understand phase differences, and their significance, examples, and applications:

• Phase differences in linear polarization refers to the distance between the crests and troughs of a light wave as it propagates its way.
• This phase difference will be zero degrees if the crests and troughs of two light ways align, which means the waves are in phase. If this difference is 180 degrees, the two waves are said to be out of phase, which means when one wave goes through the crest the other has a trough. Understanding this phase difference is crucial in many optical applications, such as wave plates and retarders.
• When light passes through an object or a sample, its speed changes based on the material’s refractive index, resulting in a phase shift between the waves.
• Low phase difference refers to the minimal phase shift as the light wave passes through an object. It means there is minimal or no alteration in the light properties after the light wave exits the object. Such low phase difference is helpful in many applications such as polarized sunglasses and cameras, LCD screens, optical lenses, and so on.
• Low phase difference helps reduce glare and enhances clarity and visibility. Typically, materials with low birefringence, such as glass, help achieve a low phase difference. Some common examples of low phase difference include semiconductor wafers and colored glass.
• Semiconductors, especially the ones used in optical devices, optoelectronics, and photonics, are carefully manufactured to ensure minimal surface roughness, interference stability, uniform thickness, and more to achieve low phase difference.
• Colored glass also may have certain impurities, and hence needs to be engineered to achieve low phase difference, especially in applications such as stained glass, lenses, optical filters, and more.

Challenges in Strain Detection

Some challenges in strain detection by methods other than polariscopes, include:

• Detecting exact strain in low phase difference samples can be challenging because the crests and troughs of the light wave passing through show minimal variation.
• Most other methods may not yield the level of precision and accuracy required, especially for glass or semiconductor applications.
• Some strain portions may be missed out, which may directly impact the product quality. For instance, if even a slightly deformed glass is used in sunglasses, it will lead to poor or hazy visibility, may affect the users’ eyes, and lead to product recalls.
• There is a growing importance for precise and sensitive measurement techniques across applications, and using a polariscope strain viewer can overcome these challenges.

Advanced Evaluation Techniques with Polariscope Strain Viewers

Polariscope strain viewers aide in the precise and accurate measurement of samples.

• The polariscope strain viewer facilitates a non-destructive and highly accurate method to measure strain and structural defects in detail in various transparent materials such as glass and plastic. It accurately reports the direction of stress in addition to the degree of stress as reflected by the optical retardation.
• A polariscope consists of two crucial components – a light source that emits polarized light and polarizing filters that control the orientation of the light. When the polarized light interacts with a material, it changes intensity and color, thus showing in detail the internal stresses within the material, which otherwise may have gone unnoticed. This detailing allows analysts to map and measure the strain distribution across the material precisely.
• These polariscopes are supported by a robust data analysis software that provides images of the magnitude and direction of the optical retardation induced by strain.
• Polariscopes have various modes to detect scratches, dents, foreign objects, and more on the sample.
• Polariscopes measure birefringence and retardation values in a transparent sample. The retardation values can be used to determine the strain in the sample using the rotating analyzer method. Polarized light passes through the sample and then through another polarizer at a series of angles. The light passing through both polarizers falls on a CCD to provide XY data on the sample. By combining the data from all the angles of the second polarizer, the retardation may be calculated.

Benefits for Researchers and Manufacturers

Polariscope strain viewers offer tremendous benefits in terms of accuracy and precision for both research and manufacturing. Here are some pointers.

• Polariscopes offer precision, sensitivity, and accuracy when detecting minute strains in low-phase difference samples, which holds importance for high-precision applications.
• They are easy to use with a user-friendly interface and facilitate automated data collection and analysis because of the inbuilt software. You can connect it to your computer to check the graphical and other data for further analysis.
• These versatile instruments are portable and designed to use across environments from research labs to production floors to measure varied sample sizes and materials

Applications in Research and Manufacturing

Here are some application areas of polarizing strain viewers, especially in research and manufacturing segments.

• Semiconductors
• Quality control and assurance
• Detection of defects and inconsistencies in glass, plastics, and more
• Colored glass manufacturing
• Ensuring structural integrity and performance of samples
• Identifying stress points and potential failure areas
• Scientific Research
• Materials science research
• Detailed strain mapping for new material development

If you have any questions about using polariscope strain viewers in your semiconductor or glass application or need to know about custom options or anything else, you can consult the team at Barnett Technical Services. The company is an authorized distributor for various models of spectroscopy equipment, such as polariscopes made by Luceo.

Related Products:

LSM-9002LE: Strain measurement in the visible across a 175×175 mm area

LSM-9002S: Strain measurement in the visible with a variable field of view for 10-10 to 60×60 mm

LSM-9001NIR: Near-IR system to measure strain in semiconductors

LSM-9100WNIR: Near-IR system to measure strain in resins and other plastics

Stress and strain analysis hold a huge importance in quality control processes in the mold plastics and resins industries. The strain on such plastics could happen due to injection molding where the molten polymers are poured into the mold, allowed to cool, and reform. Detecting such stains is crucial to avoid deformities, product recalls, and other damages. Polariscope strain viewers are used to identify and analyze strains in mold plastics across industries ranging from consumer electronics to automotive. This post offers information on the use and benefits of using polariscope strain viewers for strain analysis in mold plastics.

Overcoming the Challenge of Detecting Strain in Molded Plastics

Accurately identifying internal strains visually, especially in complex shapes or opaque materials, is next to impossible. With a polariscope, identifying stress patterns at a micro level is manageable. A polariscope works on the principle of optical birefringence, wherein polarized light is passed through stressed plastic to determine the magnitude and direction of residual stresses in a plastic piece. This is also called photoelastic effect and is a very effective and accurate way to measure stress patterns in translucent or transparent materials. Also, this process is fast, non-destructive, and does not require a highly trained operator.

How Polariscope Strain Viewers Enhance the Accuracy of Strain Analysis

Polariscopes are used as strain viewers for analyzing stress patterns in molded plastics and identify warping, cracking, and other deformities. Here are some pointers regarding the accuracy these instruments offer, and help enhance the strength and integrity of the plastic product.

• Polariscope strain viewers offer non-destructive testing (NDT), which means there is no physical contact and hence the integrity of the molded plastic is maintained.
• They help assess the internal stresses within plastic components in detail, ensuring quality control in manufacturing processes and enhancing the reliability of plastic products.
• Polariscopes evaluate 2D distribution map of colored resin products up to 175 mm. Most of these instruments are partially or fully automatic, and hence reduce measurement errors. They can measure colored resin products, residual stress, and cracks that are impossible to measure with conventional instruments.
• It enables quantitative stress measurement by analyzing the number and orientation of fringes as well as calculating the magnitude and direction of internal stresses.
• Polariscopes offer a clear and direct view of the internal stresses, which helps reduce errors.
• It is effective for various types of plastics, regardless of color or state, such as opacity, translucency, or transparency.
• It reveals hidden stress patterns, allowing for corrective actions before production issues arise.
• It promotes consistent product quality and reduces the risk of failures and product recalls.

Importance of Quality in Molded Plastics

Any amount of strain in molded plastics leads to warping, cracking, and reduced strength. This may happen due any of the to the forming process steps such as uneven cooling, injection pressure variations, mold design, and more. Plastics with such stress patterns cannot be taken as is in making any parts or components. They are used across industries such as automotive, electronics, consumer goods, and so on in making significant parts. Hence, a thorough inspection of molded plastics is crucial to ensure quality. These plastics are used in making various parts across industries such as dashboards in cars, enclosures or covering parts in electronics, and more. Hence, they must have a high impact resistance and no deformities. Molded plastics must maintain both structural integrity and aesthetics, which reflects the features and functionality of the final product.

How Types of Plastics and Their Opacity Influence the Functioning of Polariscopes?

Material properties including the level of opacity, translucency, and transparency are reflected in the polarized light transmitted through a sample. In addition, materials such as acrylic and polycarbonate are prone to stress marking and exhibit a high coefficient of thermal expansion. This leads to internal stresses that build up during cooling and impacts the level of opacity. To view opaque plastics, the source light needs to be beyond the visible spectrum (>700nm). This near-IR light penetrates visibly opaque materials, which allows a near-IR polariscope to identify internal stresses. Combining these three aspects enables a polariscope strain viewer to identify stress patterns in a wide range of opaque plastics.

Applications of Polariscope Strain Viewers in the Plastics Industry

Molded plastics are used in many important industries such as automotive, electronics, and so on. Hence, polariscopes find use in all these industries to study the strain applied on plastics. Here are some application areas of polariscopes in the plastics industry.

• Polariscopes are primarily used in quality control inspections of molded parts for internal stress patterns.
• They identify stress caused by specific mold features or processing parameters.
• They help optimize mold design and injection molding processes to minimize strain.
• Using a polariscope ensures structural integrity for applications requiring high strength and reliable performance.

If you have any questions about using polariscope strain viewers in the molded plastics segment or need to discuss your requirements or custom options, feel free to contact the team at Barnett Technical Services. The company is an authorized distributor for various brands of spectroscopy instruments such as polariscope strain viewers and more.

Related Products:

LSM-9002LE: Strain measurement in the visible across a 175×175 mm area

LSM-9002S: Strain measurement in the visible with a variable field of view for 10-10 to 60×60 mm

LSM-9001NIR: Near-IR system to measure strain in semiconductors

LSM-9100WNIR: Near-IR system to measure strain in resins and other plastics

Strain is the deformation an object undergoes when external stress is applied. In several measurement applications, strain is quantified as a unitless measure expressed in percentage. Strain inspection and testing is crucial to measure how a material such as a piece of glass reacts to it to determine its yield strength, tensile strength, brittleness, and more. A piece of colored glass may show strain or deformation under stress due to various factors, such as uneven cooling and tool marks when shaping. This leads to breakage or uneven optical performance across the piece of glass. Polariscope strain viewers are commonly used to study/measure the properties of glass under stress,. This post discusses the significance of strain inspection before making glass articles, and the working and significance of polariscope strain viewers.

Challenges Associated with Detecting Strain in Glass

There are certain difficulties when visually identifying strain in colored glass, especially colored glass with vibrant hues. Here are some of the challenges.

• With bare eyes or even a lens, spotting all the defects and deformities in a glass piece may not be possible.
• It is not possible to measure the stress applied and the exact point at which the glass may break.
• Spectral reflectance or Rλ is the light or energy ratio reflected by the glass surface to the incident light or energy on the surface, which is measured as a function of wavelength or lambda. The spectral reflectance in coated and uncoated glass is different, and hence it is challenging to measure manually. For instance, the daytime spectral reflectance of an uncoated, clear glass is around 8%.
• Hence, a reliable inspection tool such as a polariscope strain viewer is needed to ensure invisible imperfections aren’t present in a glass before it is used in any commercial or industrial application.

Introducing Polariscope Strain Viewers

Colored glass has a wide application across industries including construction, home décor, and Polariscopes are used as strain viewers in the colored glass industry. It is an NDT tool that offers accurate analysis of stress and strain, structural defects introduced during manufacturing, variations in glass transparency, and more. It is an automatic 2D-measuring system which measures birefringence and retardation values in a transparent glass piece or any sample. The retardation values are used to determine the strain in the sample using the rotating analyzer method. Here, polarized light is passed through the glass piece, which helps interpret qualitative and quantitative defects in color distribution, tensile strength, and more. It then passes through another polarizer at a series of angles. Light falls on the CCD to get the data on the glass sample. The data from all angles of the second polarizer is combined and retardation is calculated

Benefits of Using Polariscope Strain Viewers for Glass

There are several benefits of using a polariscope strain viewer for colored glass. Here are some of them.

• This is a nondestructive testing method that helps protect the beauty and integrity of the glass piece and can be done even if the glass piece is being processed.
• It offers a clear optical view from various angles, large viewing areas, measurement area sizes around 205☓205mm, and a wider view of deformities, if any. Hence, this tool facilitates accurate data production.
• It is effective for various glass types, regardless of the color intensity.
• It reveals hidden stress patterns, allowing for corrective actions before assembly or final installation.
• It facilitates consistent color distribution and enhances the overall aesthetics.
• It ensures safety and prevents breakage by determining the tensile strength.

Applications of Polariscope Strain Viewers in Glasswork

Here are some application areas of polariscope strain viewers in the clear and colored glass segment.

• It helps inspect individual colored glass pieces before assembly in stained glass windows or mosaics.
• It is useful in identifying defects and measuring tensile strength of clear glass, which is used across industries such as medical, clinical research, automotive, electronics, and more.
• It identifies the minutest strain caused by cutting, grinding, or polishing techniques.
• It helps ensure the structural integrity for large glass art installations or even the glass used in construction of buildings, windows, and more.
• It helps ensure the highest quality standards for colored glass production.

If you have any questions about using polariscope strain viewers in the glass ijnspection field or need to discuss your requirements or options, feel free to contact the team at Barnett Technical Services. The company is an authorized distributor for various brands of spectroscopy instruments such as polariscope strain viewers and more.

Related Products:

LSM-9002LE: Strain measurement in the visible across a 175×175 mm area

LSM-9002S: Strain measurement in the visible with a variable field of view for 10-10 to 60×60 mm

LSM-9001NIR: Near-IR system to measure strain in semiconductors

LSM-9100WNIR: Near-IR system to measure strain in resins and other plastics

Semiconductors are the backbone of electronic devices. These chips feature miniature-sized components and are inspected rigorously during every phase of their assembly to ensure their quality. Very often these semiconductors are observed under microscopes using micromanipulators, particularly in situations where failure requires a failure analysis to determine the cause of failure. So, Micromanipulators play a crucial role in testing to ensure the quality of semiconductor devices used in modern electronics. This post discusses how micromanipulators are effectively used in semiconductor device testing.

Micromanipulators: An Overview

Working Principles of Micromanipulators

A micromanipulator enables precise manipulation or sampling of objects such as a test coupon, wafer or die. It lets the user physically interact with the sample through its arms with probes. The movement can be controlled manually or electrically. Here, the main part is precise movement of the probe at the required angles with an accuracy of less than a micron. This requires stepper motors that offer controlled movement with micron and sub-micron level precision. A micromanipulator can be covered for safety reasons and remotely operated with a mouse, where the output can be displayed on a computer monitor.

Benefits of Using Micromanipulators in Semiconductor Device Testing

Here are some benefits micromanipulators offer in semiconductor device testing.

• The sub-micronlevel of positonal control leads to enhanced accuracy and efficiency in testing procedures of wafers with complex circuits.
• Physical interaction in terms of viewing the circuitry and minute components in various cross sections, angles, and more helps yield accurate results in terms of detecting failure and other issues in circuits. This improves throughput in testing processes.
• These devices enable repeatability in measurements.
• It facilitates enhanced performance during the evaluation of semiconductor devices, which helps in their normal functioning and avoiding product failures and recalls.
• For advanced IC systems that involve air-sensitive devices during the manufacturing process, manipulation and testing can occur in a glovebox or some other air-inert environment.

Applications of Micromanipulators in Semiconductor Device Testing

Here are some application areas of micromanipulators in the semiconductor industry.

• Probing: The stepper motors in micromanipulators help in positioning probes for electrical characterization.
• Contact manipulation: Micromanipulators are used to manipulate microscopic components during testing, which may include separating certain materials from the substrate or adding new ones.  Similarly, wires may be cut as part of the testing process.
• Failure analysis: Micromanipulators aid in isolating defects with the aid of probes and other tools. These physical defects can then be transferred to carbon tape or some other substrate for more advanced testing when isolated from the circuit.
• Microfluidics: Micromanipulators are used to test microfluidic chips.
• Wafer applications: Aside from wafer-level testing, micromanipulators can be used to test individual dyes. They also find applications in packaging and testing of integrated circuits.

If you have any questions about using micromanipulators in your application, you can consult Barnett Technical Services. The company is an authorized distributor for various brands of micromanipulator systems, such as MicroSupport.

Microscopic entities are the ones that cannot be seen with the naked eye and need a microscope to view their structure, properties under various conditions, and other features. For an optimal view, microscopes must be adjusted in terms of magnification, creation of a cross sections, and more. To support this optimization, a multi-probe micromanipulator can be integrated with the microscope to modify the object angle or pull or stretch certain parts, or isolate key components for analysis by other techniques. A wide range of tools and probes are available with a micromanipulator, including probes, microtweezers, knives, needles, and separators. This post focuses on the use of multi-probe micromanipulators along with microscopes in analyzing various samples and supporting failure analysis and scientific research.

Why Use Multi-probe Micromanipulators for Microscopic Scientific Research?

While there are manual and single-probe micromanipulators in use, they have certain limitation in handling and manipulating samples. Motorized multi-probe micromanipulators are designed to overcome these limitations in terms of complex sampling and manipulation. These technologically advanced micromanipulators allow scientists and engineers to rapidly position and control multiple probes, which expedites research and ensures accuracy. Here are some features of multi-probe micromanipulators.

• Tool capabilities include micro-injectors, micro-scissors, micro-knives, micro-tweezers, and electrode holders, mostly made of tungsten carbide. These are used for various tasks such as cutting samples, pinpoint marking, micro-liquid handling, and separating certain substances from the sample.
• These probes enable the sampling of substances as small as one micron with positioning precision of 100 nm. This allows simultaneous yet independent interactions at multiple points on a sample. The accuracy in probe movements is achieved using advanced stepper-motor systems.
• Multi-probe micromanipulators ensure precise yet versatile manipulation control when it comes to separation and handling of complex manipulative tasks such as assembling microscopic components. This is very useful in material science, chemical structures, and other nanostructure topics.
• It microscope has a GigE camera and diagonal luminosity controller for improved magnification and light adjustments.
• The multiple probes feature has certainly opened new avenues in research, development and failure analysisthat occurs at the microscopic level, and requires complex tasks, precision movements, and dexterity.

Applications of Multi-Probe Micromanipulators in Research

Some diverse applications of multi-probe micromanipulators in various branches of material science, photonics, microfabrication, nanotechnology, and more.

• Micro-sample Handling: Micromanipulators ensure precise handling as well as examination of microscopic materials during assembly, analysis, and targeted microfabrication. These probes help ensure accurate positioning and failure analysis of micro components.
• Optics: They are used for precisely aligning optical fibers required in advanced and high-speed communication networks.
• Material science: These systems assist in the micromanipulation of various types of micro-particles and microscopic structures for research and analysis.
• Microfabrication: These products are used for the precise assembly of microfluidic devices and handling delicate micro components. They are used in assembling nanostructures when creating nanodevices.
• Nanotechnology: These devices are used in positioning and manipulating structures for nanoparticlefor research and development.

With the ever-increasing demand for research and development in material science, advanced communication technologies, nanotechnology, and many other fields, there has been a surge in the use of multi-probe micromanipulators. Here multiple-probe micromanipulators serve the purpose in terms of precision, simultaneous operations on a single sample or cell, adjustments, and more. You should ensure your source this device from an authorized supplier before investing in one. Also, it must be compatible with your existing infrastructure and simultaneously scalable for future expansions. If you have any questions about using multi-probe micromanipulators in your application, custom options, and more, you can consult Barnett Technical Services. The company is an authorized distributor for various brands of micromanipulator systems such as Micro Support.

Micromanipulators are essential tools to handle microscopic objects in various industries, including semiconductors, electronics, chemicals, and material science. These revolutionary devices have paved the way for precise and accurate micro-sample handling, research, and analysis of minute entities. Among them, micromanipulators are particularly notable as they can move along the X, Y, and Z axes. This post discusses micromanipulators, their applications, and their significant impact on various sectors.

Overview of Micromanipulators

A micromanipulator enables precise interaction with microscopic samples or entities. It allows for accurate mounting and movement of various sampling tools like pipettes, probes, and electrodes. When integrated with a microscope, it provides the ability to view and manipulate various dimensions and cross-sections of magnified objects by physically turning, bending, or cutting the sample. Their basic functions may include collecting liquid droplets, removing surface contaminants, retrieving particles stuck to adhesives, and many more delicate tasks under the microscope. One can control their movements along all three axes using a mouse.

Basic Design

A micromanipulator system comes with a controller, display screen or computer, mouse, probe arms, and advanced software for management and control. You may also require other accessories such as rod or pipette holders, tungsten probes, micro-knives, tweezers, and a mounting system or stage. Mounting on a stable surface helps reduce vibration and ensure precision. While this tool can be controlled manually, a motorized control is always preferred through a joystick or mouse. Motorized control enables a high level of precision and control which allows movements in micrometer and nanometer ranges. The three axes of micromanipulators facilitate movement in various directions. The X-axis facilitates left to right and vice-versa movements, Y-axis enables forward and backward movements, and Z-axis enables vertical or up and down movements. The dimensions and distance of movement depend on each model.

Axes and Movement Control in Micromanipulators

A manipulator enables precision and accuracy when sampling and manipulating microscopic entities. The way it moves along the three axes, the angles, and the maximum distance are significant factors in manipulation tasks. Primarily, it moves along the three perpendicular axes. The X-axis movements help position the object well in place. The Y-axis movement helps adjust the object’s distance from the user to view finer details. The Z-axis movement helps adjust the height of the object. While mouse and software are highly preferred to control movements, some models may have piezoelectric actuators. The arms can travel around 10-50 meters on an average along the axis. You can also create a synthetic diagonal movement along the X and Y axis. All of these movements enable the micromanipulator system to carry out its basic functions such as sampling, sorting, and so on.

Advantages of Using Micromanipulators Over Traditional Manipulation Tools

The obvious benefit of using a micromanipulator system is precision movement during sampling and manipulation. Here are some other advantages.

• Precision: Enables precise actions such as holding, cutting, removing, transferring, injecting, and applying patches or coatings to objects as small as two to five microns.
• Real-Time Feedback: Features feedback systems and sensors that provide real-time information on positions and movements.
• Integration: Easily integrates with microscopes, cameras, and research equipment, enhancing functionality and accuracy.
• Automation: Can be fully or partially automated and programmed for repeatable tasks.
• Enhanced Visualization: Improves the visualization of objects under the microscope, aiding detailed observation.
• Safety and Operability: Fully covered electric micromanipulator systems offer high levels of safety and operability.
• Remote Functionality: Some models can be operated remotely within a glovebox using a mouse.
• Customization: Can be customized to accommodate tall samples or large objects with adjustable base heights.

Applications of Micromanipulators

These micromanipulators are used in a wide range of applications, including:.

• Failure Analysis: Micromanipulators can be used to precise isolate particles and other failures in manufacturing to quickly determine the root cause of failure.
•  Electronics and semiconductors: Micromanipulators enable fine markings on wafers, fiber glass and metal circuit boards, and more. They are also used for positioning components on circuit boards, soldering, testing, and more.
• Material science: Micromanipulators are used to separate materials from their substrates or adhesives, identify material properties under a microscope, and manipulate nanoparticles for further research.
• Scientific research: Micromanipulators are used in biological research, fertility treatments and analysis, and biological cell manipulation. They are used in electrophysiology to position electrodes and record activity from neurons or nerve cells.
• Micromanufacturing and fabrication: These tools are used in additive manufacturing methods such as 3D printing, and assembling tiny parts into complex microdevices.
• Pharmaceutical: They are used in single-cell analysis and drug delivery at the cellular level to position micropumps and needles.
• Optics: They are used in optical systems for precise adjustment and focusing of lenses.
• Criminalistics: These systems are used in the microanalysis of fine particles, hair strands, and so on to handle samples that may serve as evidence in investigations.

Micromanipulator systems are gaining traction across an increasing number of industries. Using these for sampling and manipulation would definitely yield excellent end results. If you have any questions about using these tools in your application, custom options, and more, you can consult Barnett Technical Services, an authorized distributor of Micro Support’s micromanipulators

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Axis Pro : Benchtop micromanipulator incorporating a zoom microscope and motorized sampling arms.

Quick Pro : Individual micromanipulator arm that can be added to a white light microscope.

Collection Pro : Automated grain/particle sorting and collection system.