4D Technology Receives NASA's Excellence Award
TUCSON, AZ, April 17, 2006 - 4D Technology has been recognized with the prestigious NASA Goddard Achievement in Excellence Award for its contribution to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) project. The company, partnered with NASA to develop a dynamic Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometer (ESPI), a technology that enables precision metrology on large flight hardware for the James Webb Space Telescope. The test requirements presented significant challenges since existing technology was unavailable prior to 4D's development of the SpeckleCam, a first of its kind vibration insensitive speckle interferometer.
The test conditions involved acquiring measurement data rapidly in a high vibration environment on non-reflective diffuse surface structures. Additionally, meter-class structures needed to be measured from a distance of tens of meters in a cryogenic chamber environment. To accomplish this, 4D combined its award-winning, patent pending pixelated phase-sensor technology with a high energy, pulsed laser. The SpeckleCam's acquisition time of 9 nanoseconds for a single measurement is 10,000,000 times faster than any conventional phase-shifting interferometer. This acquisition speed makes the system insensitive to vibration and air turbulence.
When asked about 4D Technology's involvement with the project, Lee Feinberg, JWST Telescope Manager said, "The ESPI is a critical piece of metrology equipment needed to prove out JWST telescope technology and the 4D team that developed it are to be congratulated for this significant achievement." The SpeckleCam has been so vital to NASA's JWST project that a second, higher-powered unit is currently on order and nearing delivery. 4D Technology President John Hayes said, "We are proud that 4D's core technology has made such an important contribution to NASA's JWST program. It is especially rewarding to be recognized for the commitment we have made to NASA as a partner in technology development. Our dedication to customer focus and technology enables us to present solutions where there previously were none."
4D's innovative technology has garnered multiple awards since its 2001 inception, including two R&D 100 Awards and the Circle of Excellence Award from Laurin Publishing Co., both leading technology industry publishers.
The Goddard Achievement in Excellence award is presented annually, and recognizes individuals and teams that have made an exceptional contribution to the performance of the NASA Center's mission in any area of work, which encourages and improves institutional capabilities or enables activities that aid and enhance NASA's mission performance.
For more information about this and other 4D projects, call 4D Sales at 800-261-6640 or visit www.4DTechnology.com.
About 4D Technology Corporation
4D Technology Corporation is a technology company developing optical metrology opportunities for a wide variety of industries. 4D Technology combines its expertise in optical/mechanical design, metrology, and software development, with strong manufacturing capabilities to develop, engineer and commercialize innovative products for the aerospace, data storage, and semiconductor industries.
Rhonda G. Albrecht
Sr. Marketing Communications Manager
4D Technology Corporation
(520) 294-5600 (x220)
(520) 294-5601FAX
rhonda.albrecht@4dtechnology.com
www.4dtechnology.com
Measurement at the Speed of Light
