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Materion Expands Large-Optics Coating Capabilities

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WESTFORD, Mass., Nov. 16, 2012 — To better support astronomy and space applications, Materion Barr Precision Optics & Thin Film Coatings, a Materion Corp. business, is about to complete an 18-month enhancement project focused on the manufacturing and testing of its optical filters and coatings.

The plant will include a high-vacuum deposition system, a metrology set to test large coated optical elements and a precision wash station to clean large optical substrates. New cleanroom equipment will enable precise deposition and testing of complex interference filters consisting of a few layers to well over 100 on substrates up to 1.4 m in diameter.

Materion currently can coat narrow bandpass filters around 60 cm in diameter; the goal is to increase this size to 75 cm. Additionally, the company plans to focus on developing precision beamsplitters up to 100 cm in diameter as well as mirrors and anti-reflection coatings up to 140 cm diagonal/diameter for specialized astronomical and space applications.

Materion will use the new system to support several large ground-based telescopes in development as well as space programs, worldwide observatories and space hardware contractors.

Delivery of the system is scheduled for December, with operation commissioned for the first quarter of 2013.

For more information, visit: www.materion.com
Deposition Sciences Inc. - Difficult Coatings - MR-8/23


Published: November 2012
Glossary
astronomy
The scientific observation of celestial radiation that has reached the vicinity of Earth, and the interpretation of these observations to determine the characteristics of the extraterrestrial bodies and phenomena that have emitted the radiation.
bandpass filter
A filter with a transmission that is high for a particular band of frequencies, but that falls to low values above and below this band.
beamsplitter
An optical device for dividing a beam into two or more separate beams. A simple beamsplitter may be a very thin sheet of glass inserted in the beam at an angle to divert a portion of the beam in a different direction. A more sophisticated type consists of two right-angle prisms cemented together at their hypotenuse faces. The cemented face of one prism is coated, before cementing, with a metallic or dielectric layer having the desired reflecting properties, both in the percentage of reflection...
metrology
Metrology is the science and practice of measurement. It encompasses the theoretical and practical aspects of measurement, including the development of measurement standards, techniques, and instruments, as well as the application of measurement principles in various fields. The primary objectives of metrology are to ensure accuracy, reliability, and consistency in measurements and to establish traceability to recognized standards. Metrology plays a crucial role in science, industry,...
optical coatings
Optical coatings are thin layers of materials applied to optical components, such as lenses, mirrors, filters, and prisms, to modify their reflective and transmissive properties. These coatings are designed to enhance the performance of optical systems by controlling the way light interacts with the surfaces of the components. The primary purposes of optical coatings include: Antireflection coating: This type of coating is designed to reduce reflections from the surfaces of optical...
photonics
The technology of generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy whose quantum unit is the photon. The science includes light emission, transmission, deflection, amplification and detection by optical components and instruments, lasers and other light sources, fiber optics, electro-optical instrumentation, related hardware and electronics, and sophisticated systems. The range of applications of photonics extends from energy generation to detection to communications and...
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