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Materials|Coatings
Optical System Optimization: Analyzing the Effects of Stray LightElectrical engineers are very familiar with the effects of shot noise, thermal noise, flicker noise and crosstalk, and recognize how these effects can reduce the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in their systems. Most optical engineers, on the other...
Laser Measurement Systems: Best PracticesGiven the pace at which technology advances, there always seems to be a learning curve. With the abundance of consumer electronics available, there typically is no right or wrong way to use these devices — the choice usually comes down to the method...
Flat Optics: Considerations When BuyingTo simplify the process when purchasing flat optics, we will discuss the top six factors from a manufacturer’s perspective, all of which affect the three major areas of the purchasing decision: quality, delivery and cost. Flat optics generally...
Aspheric Lenses: Design ConsiderationsThis first of two articles will cover design and manufacturing options for aspheres; the second will include more detail on manufacturing and testing processes. These articles will provide the tools optics designers need to tailor their designs to...
Laser Safety: Important ConsiderationsLaser safety is nothing to scoff at; lasers can be hazardous. Enter Class 1 laser products — lasers that are so safe that the user doesn’t require specific laser safety training or protective eyewear. Some precautions still exist, though.
Transparent Ceramics: Enabling Large, Durable, Multifunctional OpticsAluminum oxynitride and magnesium aluminate spinel are mechanically strong, hard and scratch resistant; they are also chemically durable. Both exhibit broadband transmittance from near-UV to mid-IR. Single-crystal sapphire has been the material of...
Bandpass Filters: Past and PresentBandpass filters are passive optical devices that control the flow of light. They can be used either to isolate certain wavelengths or colors, or to control the wavelengths reaching a detector. Applications range from detecting the gaseous...
Common Infrared Optical Materials and Coatings: A Guide to Properties, Performance and ApplicationsThe purpose of this guide is to identify the most common infrared transmitting materials, point out their key properties, applications, products manufactured, surface specification options, and general antireflection (AR) coating options. AMTIR-1...
Excimer Optics: High Power Demands High ReliabilityThe excimer laser, a powerful source of UV radiation, has accelerated its move from the research laboratory to industrial and commercial applications such as photolithography, mate...
Optical Materials: Double-Sided Lapping and PolishingDouble-sided lapping and polishing utilizes planetary action with the combination of a top and bottom plate to precisely grind and polish precision, parallel optics. Double-sided processing is a batch-type process that uses planetary action –...
Plastic Optics: Specifying Injection-Molded Polymer OpticsThe versatility of polymer optics opens new doors for optical designers who understand the whys and hows of specifications. The use of precision polymer optics is becoming an increasing necessity today as products demand sophisticated light handling...
Thin-Film Coatings: A Buyers' GuideThe vast majority of optics used in precision scientific, industrial, biomedical and military applications incorporate thin-film coatings on their surfaces. Therefore, it’s useful for almost anyone involved in the specification and purchase of...
Optical Delay Lines: Key to Time-Resolved MeasurementsTo obtain an accurate means of creating reliable delays in any time-resolved spectroscopy or dynamic experiment, several factors about the delay line stage must be considered to reduce or eliminate errors associated with linear stages. One of the...
Antireflection Coatings for the Ultraviolet, Visible and Near-IRGraphs showing reflection curves of common antireflection coatings...
Beryllium Mirrors: Refinements Enable New ApplicationsBeryllium mirrors are finding commercial applications, while maintaining their military and space applications. Refinements in design and improvements in manufacturing technology have cut costs and new coatings have enabled high-power applications...
Cleaning Optics: Choosing the Best MethodCleaning optical elements improves performance, providing proper materials, techniques and handling procedures are used to minimize the risk of damage.
Coefficients of Expansion and Densities of Optical MaterialsTable of Coefficients of Expansion and Densities of Optical Materials.
Data Tables: Optical Thin-Film MaterialsTables showing parameters of the most frequently used physical vapor deposition materials for a wide variety of applications.
Heat Control and Lighting Systems Design: Optical Coatings Separate Light from HeatModern coating technology offers the lighting system designer a number of ways to deal with heat radiation.Controlling and minimizing heat output is desirable in most lighting applications. For example, conventional incandescent light sources are...
Mirrors: Coating Choice Makes a DifferenceA mirror is an important element in many optical systems. Its basic function is to redirect light, often with the purpose of making an optical system more compact. This article discusses the kinds of thin-film coatings that can be used for mirrors....
Optical Coating: Materials and Deposition TechnologySurface coatings used to control optical, mechanical and electrical properties are deposited as nano- and micrometer thicknesses of special materials.Optical coatings are deposited as thin-film multilayers of a variety of materials using specific...
Optical Coatings: Improving Traditional TechnologyThe challenges of producing dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) filters for telecommunications has revolutionized the optical coating industry. This has resulted in coatings that display precision and stability orders of magnitude better...
Optical Materials: Transmission and Refractive Index
Optical System Design: Keeping the Coatings in MindThe design of optical systems should balance the coating constraints with the optical and mechanical requirements. Understanding the key properties and limitations of optical coatings enables the system designer to improve the performance of the...
Rules of ThumbScientists and engineers tend to want to answer simple relational questions with a blackboard covered with equations, even when questioners just want a rough estimate to gauge whether a change would cause more problems than it would fix...
Transmission Ranges for Optical MaterialsChart showing Transmission Ranges for Optical Materials.
High-Brightness LEDs: A Boost from High-Performance SiliconesOngoing advancements pave the way for high-power LEDs in broader application areas. High-brightness LEDs have found their way into applications such as signs and displays, cell phone flash modules, automotive lighting and general illumination. Some...
Beamsplitters: A Guide for DesignersWith the large variety of beamsplitters available, the designer needs to take many factors into consideration. This article and its illustrations will go a long way toward making the correct choice less of a risk. All curves show typical...
Optical Components: Finding Your Way Through the MazeOptical components fall into two basic groups: transmissives and reflectives. Transmissives include lenses, filters, windows, optical flats, prisms, polarizers, beamsplitters, wave plates, and fiber optics; reflectives include mirrors and...
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