About Bristol Instruments
Bristol Instruments was founded in 2005 by three technical and marketing leaders of the now-defunct Burleigh Instruments. Together, this group has over 80 years of combined experience in the design, manufacture, and marketing of lasers and precision test instruments used in basic and applied research, engineering, and production test applications.
The company currently focuses on the scientific, fibre communications, and optical metrology markets. The scientific market consists of researchers at universities, government laboratories, and industry who are involved in fields such as chemistry, physics, and optics.
The fibre communications market consists of R&D and manufacturing engineers who need to accurately test WDM components and transmission systems with respect to absolute wavelength.
The optical metrology market consists of manufacturers that need to precisely measure critical physical dimensions of materials such as specialty plastic films, medical tubing, and ophthalmic products.
The primary technology utilised by Bristol Instruments is optical interferometry. Detailed analysis of interference phenomena, a consequence of the wave properties of light, can result in a variety of precise measurements. In particular, Michelson and Fizeau interferometer-based technologies are employed to develop instruments that provide the reliable accuracy for which Bristol Instruments has become known.
About the products
Wavelength Meters – Scientific
Bristol Instruments’ wavelength meters are for scientists and engineers who need to know the exact wavelength of their lasers. These systems use proven interferometer-based technology to measure absolute wavelength to an accuracy as high as ± 0.0001 nm. To achieve the reliable accuracy that is expected from Bristol Instruments, all of its wavelength meters include a built-in wavelength standard for calibration. Systems are available for CW and pulsed lasers that operate at wavelengths from 375 nm to 12 µm.
Wavelength Meters – WDM
Bristol Instruments provides a family of optical wavelength meters and multi-wavelength meters designed specifically for the testing of WDM lasers and WDM systems. Absolute laser wavelength is measured to an accuracy as high as ± 0.3 pm with a measurement rate as high as 1 kHz. Wavelength measurement accuracy is guaranteed by continuous calibration with a built-in wavelength standard and is traceable to NIST standards. Straightforward operation and rugged design satisfy the needs of both the R&D scientist and the manufacturing engineer.
Spectrum Analysers
The spectrum analysers from Bristol Instruments provide both high-resolution spectral analysis and high-accuracy wavelength measurement in one instrument. These systems are for scientists and engineers who need to know the spectral properties of their lasers that operate from 375 nm to 12 μm. With spectral resolution up to 2 GHz, wavelength accuracy as high as ± 0.0001 nm, and an optical rejection ratio of more than 40 dB, the requirements of the most demanding applications are satisfied.
Thickness Gauges
Thickness information is critical in the development and production of materials such as specialty plastic films, medical tubing and ophthalmic products. The best way to measure thickness is with an optical thickness gauge from Bristol Instruments. These systems provide the accuracy and reliability required for the most demanding applications. What’s more, the measurement technique takes advantage of the unique properties of light resulting in non-contact, and therefore, non-destructive testing.
