Equipment Classification

The Facility Rates are determined by the classification of equipment that is utilized by the user. There are 6 Equipment Classifications: A,B,C,D,E & F based upon the general value of the equipment. The lowest value equipment is classified at the “A” level. Higher value equipment is classified progressively from B through F. Except for the “A” level, two or more pieces of equipment from a given class constitute bumping the combined classification to the next highest level. Two or more “B”s = “C”, two or more “C”s=”D” and so on.

Facility use at a given rate level entitles the user to use any equipment from any lower classification as long as the equipment use is associated with a single set-up or experiment at one point in time.

Examples of equipment in each classification:

"A" Classification
General-purpose lab equipment, including:
Optical bench and mounts
Laboratory laser sources
Laser power meters
Oscilloscopes

"B" Classification
Low end optical spectrometers (Ocean Optics)
Optical spectrum analyzers
Electronic spectrum analyzers (10Hz to 2 GHz)
Beam intensity profilers.

"C" Classification
Calibrated light sources
Tunable lasers
High performance spectrum analyzers
Wavelength and polarization measuring equipment.

"D" Classification
Cary 500 spectrometer
Wyko 6000 interferometer
Dektak 200 Stylus Profilometer
Wyko NT 2000 Non-Contact Profilometer

"E" Classification
Sopra Elipsometer
Digital Instruments Atomic Force Microscope
The simultaneous use of two class "D" items

"F" Classification
Undefined at this time.

Equipment classification list is updated periodically.

Go to the Detailed Equipment List on the Facilities page