Request InfoLaser Research OpticsLaser Research Optics has released a series of protective fiber laser sapphire windows for use with 1-µm optics. Featuring Moh 9 hardness, the windows can withstand steel splatter, flash and debris, making them more durable and scratch-resistant than zinc-sulfide or fused-silica windows. They are available in sizes from 1 to 2 in. and feature a 10-5 scratch-dig finish, λ/4 flatness and antireflection coatings on both sides. The windows provide >99.5% transmission at 1.07 µm and >90% at 650 to 670 nm.See full productRelated content from Photonics MediaPRODUCTSPhotonics.com 2/28/2024CO2 Focusing LensesThe line of ZnSe laser focusing lenses from Laser Research Optics was created to cut thick diamond plates and other heavy steel fabrications. The lenses come in 1- to 2.5-in. O.D. sizes with focal...Photonics Spectra June 2023 IssueCO2 Laser Focusing LensesLaser Research Optics’ CO2 zinc selenide (ZnSe) laser focusing lenses are designed for 10.6-µm, 200-W to 400-kW steel cutting lasers that cut heavy steel fabrications. They come in...BioPhotonics Jan/Feb 2023 IssueZinc Selenide OpticsHigh-quality zinc selenide (ZnSe) lenses, output couplers, and mirrors from Laser Research Optics are optimized at 1.06 μm for medical laser OEMs. The devices are manufactured to...Photonics.com 8/17/2022CO2 Laser LensesOEM-compatible, field-replacement CO2 laser lenses with specific focal lengths have been announced by Laser Research Optics. The lenses are offered in 0.5- to 1.5-in. diameter sizes with focal...ARTICLESPhotonics Spectra January 2024 IssueUV-based 3D Printing Accelerates Multipurpose Glass ProductionCurrent 3D-printing techniques for fabricating glass involve time-consuming processes that require high temperatures and considerable resources to complete. In a new approach, a research team...Photonics.com 10/16/2023Femtosecond Laser Integrates Optics in Single Glass Substrate for Easy ManufactureThe short, regular pulses of femtosecond lasers are put to effective use in numerous applications, including laser surgery, micromachining, microscopy, and spectroscopy. Free-space optics...Photonics Spectra April 2023 IssueLaser Method Drills Taper-, Crack-Free Holes in GlassResearchers from the Institute of Intense Lasers and Applications (CELIA) at the University of Bordeaux have developed a glass micro-drilling method using a femtosecond laser operating in...Photonics Spectra December 2022 IssueFused Silica: A Transparent Look at a Complex MaterialMany users of fused silica may ask why there are so many different grades of the glass. How much variety can you expect from the simple chemical formula SiO2 — and does this wide variety have...PHOTONICS HANDBOOK ARTICLESPhotonics HandbookLaser 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...Photonics HandbookFlat Optics: Considerations When BuyingFlat optics generally perform three main functions: They transmit light (windows), reflect light (mirrors), and fold light (prisms). While most optical manufacturers make spherical and flat optics, a...Photonics HandbookAspheric Lenses: Design ConsiderationsAspheric surfaces are powerful tools that combine the optical corrections of multiple lenses into a single element (Figure 1) and affect performance in ways that spherical optics cannot. For example,...Photonics HandbookFiber Lasers: Continuing to Power GrowthEarly fiber lasers were inefficient and limited to low powers, until more effective methods emerged to deliver the pump light into the cladding. Valentin Gapontsev, founder and CEO of IPG Photonics,...WHITEPAPERSPhotonics.com 5/4/2022Specialty Fiber Preforms for Industrial ApplicationsEnabling new laser applications with fused silica fibers.Photonics.com 12/2/2022Fast Axis Collimator Lenses (FACs) - The Essential Components for Laser DiodesWe started developing FACs more than 15 years ago. The result is highly automated in-house processes which allow for competitive prices – even with high volumes. Diode lasers are efficient, compact,...Photonics.com 8/1/2023Hand Cleaning of Small OpticsA great "How-to" for cleaning optics. A must have for ALL.Photonics.com 8/1/2023Deposition Sciences Inc. Dichroic Edge FiltersShort wave pass and long wave pass filters are a specialty of ours. Learn more...WEBINARSPhotonics.com 7/20/2022Matching Diode Lasers and Their Applications with Beam-Shaping Micro-OpticsEvery photonics application aims toward quality, precision, and speed. The latter improves performance and reduces costs for market advantage. This improvement in speed requires the efficient use of...Photonics.com 4/4/2018Fused Silica Selection: Solutions for Price vs. PerformanceFused silica is a key material in a multitude of optical applications, including high-power laser systems, spectroscopic instrumentation, astronomy and telecommunications. In this webinar, presented...Photonics.com 6/14/2023Fused Silica Tubes for Optical Fiber Manufacturing: Fiber Performance Sensitivity on Purity and Tube GeometryOptical fibers made of fused silica have many applications, such as communication, sensing, and laser systems. The performance of optical fibers is highly sensitive to the manufacturing processes and...Photonics.com 12/8/2021Optical Fused Silica Large-Core Fibers: The Influence of Design and Material on Fiber PerformanceOptical fibers made of fused silica have many applications, including communications, manufacturing, medical care and diagnostics, and research. These applications are as varied as the requirements...PHOTONICS DICTIONARY+ TERMSPhotonics Dictionaryultraviolet fiber opticsUltraviolet (UV) fiber optics refers to optical fibers that are designed and optimized for the transmission of ultraviolet light, which is electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than...Photonics Dictionaryzinc sulfideA polycrystalline material that transmits in the infrared; it is used as a phosphor in x-ray and television screens.Photonics DictionaryDestriau effectObserved electroluminescence of zinc sulfide phosphors when excited by an electric field. This effect is the basis for the alternating-current phosphor panel technology.Photonics Dictionaryretarder cellA device that uses nematic liquid crystals sandwiched between fused silica substrates to change the phase of polarized light. The cell is tunable from half-wave to zero retardation because variation...VIDEOSPhotonics.com 3/9/2022Fused Silica for Applications in the Near Infrared (NIR) Spectrum - Heraeus ConamicAre you interested in finding the best fused silica for applications in the near infrared? A common application in the near infrared is Laser Material Processing. In order to cut or weld metal, the...Photonics.com 5/4/2022Fluosil® Fused Silica – High Performance for your Industrial Applications - Heraeus QuarzglasEnabling New Laser Applications with Fused Silica Fibers: Fused silica is the material of choice due to its low absorption (low loss) and high damage threshold, enabling new applications like surface...Photonics.com 2/21/2018Light Matters Extra: styropyro - 02.2018In this month's Light Matters Extra, we introduce you to Drake Anthony, aka styropyro. Drake, 25, has been building his own lasers since he was 12 years old. He's got quite the following on his...Photonics.com 7/19/2023Optical Design from AvantierAvantier delivers professional optical design consulting with innovative solutions by experienced engineers in custom design, analysis, modeling, and lens design. With over 50 years experience, our...PHOTONICS BUYERS' GUIDE CATEGORIESOptical CollimatorsFiber Optic Cleaning Materials and EquipmentPhotomasksA photomask, also known simply as a mask or reticle, is a key component in the photolithography process used in semiconductor manufacturing and other areas of microfabrication. It is a high-precision...Fiber LasersA fiber laser is a laser in which the lasing medium is an optical fiber doped with low levels of rare-earth halides to make it capable of amplifying light. Output is tunable over a broad range and...COMPANIESPhotonics Buyers' GuideFOCtek Photonics Inc.FOCtek provides customers with all types of custom manufactured lenses, Precision Optical Components, Polarizing Optics, Prisms, Filters, Coatings, Optical Systems, Crystals, Nonlinear Crystals,...Photonics Buyers' GuideOhara CorporationOHARA manufactures more than 130 environmentally safe optical glass types, free of both lead and arsenic. More than 300 tons of optical glass are melted per month, available in the following forms of...Photonics Buyers' GuideValley Design Corp., HeadquartersSince 1975 Valley Design Corp. has been an industry leader in advanced materials processing, as providers of precision lapping, polishing, dicing, 4- and 5-axis CNC machining, grinding, core drilling...Photonics Buyers' GuideCASTECH INC.CASTECH is a recognized leading supplier of nonlinear optical crystals, laser crystals and precision optical components for laser, telecom, medical, analysis and detector markets. Products...