We’ll walk you through the process, and invite you to visit the Resource Library for technical resources at every step.
Optimax prism-related capabilities are listed below. Due to having more than three sides polished or complex coatings, these components require longer deliveries:
Optimax prism manufacturing capabilities available with one week delivery include:
Optical prisms are components with at least two polished plano surfaces separated by a wedge angle. These elements are used to reflect or refract light. Optical prisms can be found in dual channel instruments, anamorphic systems, imaging systems or any other application where beam steering and/or image manipulation is needed.
Below are basic guidelines for defining part geometry:
The angle is the inclination of the two surfaces and the thickness is a separation at some point. The separation only needs to be positionally defined at one location on the optic. Specifying the thickest edge provides the easiest access for measurement and is preferred by Optimax. The specification can be the thinnest edge or centerline thickness if desired.
The geometry of three-sided prisms is defined by two angles and an altitude. The third angle and sides then become references. Outer shapes (perimeters) are typically rectangular, round or elliptical but can be anything within Optimax's shaping capabilities.
For more information please see:
Figure 1 shows the geometry of two-sided wedges can be defined by an angle and a thickness.
Image above: Minimum Specifications for Wedges
Optimax grinds and polishes prisms from various optical materials for UV, visible and IR applications for use in transmission or reflectance. Materials processed include:
Optimax utilizes deterministic CNC machine tools for complex shaping and a host of conventional processing techniques for chemomechanical planarization. Capabilities include:
Attribute |
Minimum |
Maximum |
| Diameter (mm) | 3 | 300 |
| Thickness | 1 | 150 |
| Aspect Ratio1 | 1 | 502 |
Based on Form Error Tolerance
Form Error > 2μm Lower Resolution Profilometry (2-D)1 |
||
|---|---|---|
Attribute |
Minimum |
Maximum |
| Diameter (mm) | 3 | 250 |
| Local Radius (mm) | -8 (Concave) | ∞ |
| Sag (mm) | 0 | 502 |
| Departure (mm) | 0.01 | 20 |
| Included Angle (°) | 0 | 120 |
Form Error 0.5 – 2μm Higher Resolution Profilometry (2-D)1 |
||
Attribute |
Minimum |
Maximum |
| Diameter (mm)3 | 3 | 250 |
| Local Radius (mm) | -12 (Concave) | ∞ |
| Sag (mm) | 0 | 252 |
| Departure (mm) | 0.01 | 20 |
| Included Angle (°) | 0 | 150 |
Form Error < 0.5μm Interferometry with Stitching (3-D) |
||
Attribute |
Minimum |
Maximum |
| Diameter (mm)3 | 3 | 250 |
| Local Radius (mm) | -13 (Concave) | ∞ |
| Sag (mm) | 0 | 252,4 |
| Departure (mm) | 0.002 | 1 |
| Included Angle (°) | 0 | 120+5 |
Attribute |
Minimum |
Maximum |
| Diameter | 3mm | 500mm |
| Wavelength | 193nm | 6000nm |
| Use Environment | Vacuum | >95% RH |
| Durability | Moderate abrasion | Severe abrasion |
| Measurement | — | 68°, s, p, average polarization |
| Laser Damage Threshold | — | 1064nm: >30J/cm2@10ns, >1MW/cm2CW |
| Layers | 1 | 200 |
Rod or Arbor |
||
|---|---|---|
Attribute |
Minimum |
Maximum |
| Length (mm) | 3 | 5001 |
| Width (mm) Radius dependent | 2 | < 2x Radius |
| Cylinder Radius (mm) – Convex Only | 2 | 150 |
X-Y |
||
| Attribute | Minimum | Maximum |
| Length (mm) | 3 | 300 |
| Width (mm) | 2 | 300 |
| Cylinder Radius (mm) | 10 | ∞ |
| Concave sag to flat (mm) | 0.1002 | =Radius |
Attribute |
Tolerancing Limit* |
| Diameter (mm) | +0, -0.010 |
| Center Thickness (mm) | ± 0.050 |
| Irregularity – Interferometry (HeNe fringes) |
0.1** |
| Irregularity – Profilometry (μm) | ±1.0 |
| Wedge Lens – ETD (mm) |
TBD |
| Surface Roughness (Å RMS) | 10 |
Based on Form Error Tolerance
Attribute |
Minimum |
Maximum |
| Diameter (mm) | 3 | 400 |
| Radius (mm) | ±1 | ∞2 |
| Aspect Ratio (Diameter/Center Thickness) | <1:1 | 30:1 |
| Included Angle (°) | 0 | 2103 |
Attribute |
Prism Tolerancing Limit |
|---|---|
| Glass Quality (nd, vd) | Melt Rebalanced and Controlled |
| Diameter (mm) | +0, -0.010 |
| Center Thickness (mm)3 | ± 0.010 |
| Sag – Concave (mm) | ± 0.010 |
| Clear Aperture | 100%4 |
| Power5 | 0.1 HeNe fringes6 |
| Irregularity – Interferometry (HeNe fringes)7 | 0.18 |
| Wedge Prism (window) – ETD (mm)9 | 0.00210 |
| Bevels – Face Width @ 45° (mm)11 | sharp |
| Scratch – Dig (MIL-PRF-13830B)12 | 10 – 5 |
| Surface Roughness (Å RMS)13 | 4 |
Attribute |
Cylinder Tolerancing Limit |
|---|---|
| Glass Quality (nd, vd) | Melt Rebalanced and Controlled |
| Length and width (mm) | +0, -0.020 |
| Center Thickness (mm)3 | ± 0.020 |
| Sag – Concave (mm) | ± 0.020 |
| Clear Aperture | 100%4 |
| Radius5 | ± 0.1% or 3 HeNe fringes6 |
| Irregularity – Interferometry (HeNe fringes)7 | 0.18 |
| Irregularity – Profilometry (μm) | ± 0.5 |
| Plano Axis Wedge – ETD (mm) | 0.00512 |
| Cylinder Axis Decentration – TIR (mm)9 | 0.01010 |
| Axial Twist Angle (arcminutes) | 3 |
| Bevels – Face Width @ 45° (mm)11 | 0/0mm max |
| Scratch – Dig (MIL-PRF-13830B)12 | 10 – 5 |
| Surface Roughness (Å RMS)13 | 5 |
Attribute |
Asphere Tolerancing Limit |
|---|---|
| Glass Quality (nd, vd) | Melt Rebalanced and Controlled |
| Diameter (mm) | +0, -0.010 |
| Center Thickness (mm)6 | ± 0.010 |
| Sag – Concave (mm) | ± 0.010 |
| Clear Aperture | 100%7 |
| Vertex Radius8 | ± 0.1% or 3 HeNe fringes9 |
| Irregularity – Interferometry (HeNe fringes)10 | 0.111 |
| Irregularity – Profilometry (μm)10 | ± 0.5 |
| Wedge Lens – ETD (mm) | 0.00212 |
| Bevels – Face Width @ 45° (mm)13 | ± 0.05 |
| Scratch – Dig (MIL-PRF-13830B)14 | 10 – 5 |
| Surface Roughness (Å RMS)15 | 10 |
Attribute |
Sphere Tolerancing Limit |
|---|---|
| Glass Quality (nd, vd) | Melt Rebalanced and Controlled |
| Diameter (mm) | +0, -0.010 |
| Center Thickness (mm)4 | ± 0.020 |
| Sag – Concave (mm) | ± 0.010 |
| Clear Aperture | 100%5 |
| Radius (mm)6 | ± 0.0025 or 1 HeNe fringe7 |
| Irregularity (HeNe fringes)8 | 0.059 |
| Wedge Lens – ETD (mm) | 0.00210 |
| Bevels – Face Width @ 45° (mm) | ± 0.0511 |
| Scratch – Dig (MIL-PRF-13830B)12 | <10 – 5 |
| Surface Roughness (Å RMS) | 313,14 |
Here are manufacturing limits and tolerances specific to optical aspheres, prisms, cylinders and spheres. For more detailed information on any attribute, please contact sales@optimaxsi.com.
Optimax has phase shifting interferometers for precision measurement of flatness plus autocollimators and a Wild Goniometer for precision measurement of angles. Optimax makes transmission flats for interferometric testing of surface irregularity to 50th wave.
Optimax’s R&D department is continuously looking for ways to improve our fabrication process and produce higher quality optics. Our current research projects are designed to meet future market needs, such as:
For more information please see Optimax Innovation or contact sales@optimaxsi.com.
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