Key Takeaways: Reflective optics, essential for fields like astronomy, life sciences, and industrial applications, utilize mirrors to direct wavefronts. Mirrors are either first surface, with coatings on the front, or second surface, with coatings on the back, affecting their use in precision optics. Reflective coatings can be metallic, dielectric, or hybrid, tailored for durability and […]
Read moreGeometric Optics vs. Wave Optics Often people working in optics and photonics confuse geometric optics with wave optics, but they aren’t the same thing! Geometric optics treats the propagation of light in terms of “rays”, where each ray travels in a straight line. But in wave optics, we consider the propagation of light in terms […]
Read moreKey Takeaways Powell lenses are known as laser line generating lenses, producing straight, uniform laser lines by expanding collimated beams in one dimension. Each lens’s apex showcases an acylindrical curve that evenly redistributes the optical power of a Ø0. A Powell lens transforms a Gaussian beam profile into a cross section with a significantly more […]
Read moreSilicon Carbide Optics There’s a reason that silicon carbide optics are becoming more and more prevalent in the semiconductor industry as well as in aerospace, astronomy, and high energy laser applications. If you work with high temperatures or in thermally variable environments, it’s a substrate you don’t want to miss. SiC is a non-toxic material, […]
Read moreKey Takeaways: Optical domes, also known as dome windows, are high-precision optical components used in imaging systems. They provide high quality and transmission through precision manufacturing and anti-reflection coatings, ensuring performance in high-pressure environments. Made from durable materials like sapphire and BK7 glass, they protect cameras, lenses, and sensors while offering a wider field of […]
Read moreKey Takeaways Freeform optics are custom-designed optical components with irregular surfaces for precise light manipulation. Unlike traditional, symmetrical lenses, freeform optics offer unique benefits: Compactness and weight reduction: By combining multiple elements into one, freeform optics enable miniaturized devices. Enhanced performance: They effectively correct aberrations for sharper focus, wider fields of view, and improved image […]
Read moreLarge Optics Sometimes bigger is just better. And when you really need a large optic, there’s no small optic that can substitute. But large optics are expensive, and not just a little more. When you scale up the size of an optic beyond a certain point, expect the cost to increase exponentially rather than simply […]
Read moreKey Takeaways: Micro-optics are essential in diverse fields, from microscopy to laser devices. Types of micro optics such as microlens arrays, microspheres, and micro mirrors serve specific functions like focusing light and steering light beams. Advanced manufacturing and precise metrology are crucial for producing high-quality micro-optical components, provided by companies like Avantier. Types of Micro […]
Read moreKey Takeaways: The Micro Prism Optical component focuses on developing micro prism lenses for precise light manipulation in optical systems. Micro prisms, made of materials like glass or plastics, are crucial in imaging devices, laser systems, and sensors. The project’s goals include creating high-precision lenses compatible with diverse optical setups, optimizing manufacturing for quality and […]
Read moreMicrolens Arrays What if you could bring the power of nature’s compound eyes to your optical assembly— in a tiny package 10 mm x 10 mm? It turns out, you can! Whether you need to homogenize light from line-narrowed excimer lasers or high power LEDS, microlens arrays can give you the high efficiency and non-gaussian […]
Read more