The Pros of Large Diameter Optics in Space

By Ross Team | May 11, 2023 10:00:00 AM

The Pros of Large Diameter Optics in Space

To achieve higher resolution and sensitivity in extraterrestrial observations, larger diameter optics are being developed and used in space applications. Telescopes and observation instruments with up to 12 inches (30cm) diameter optics have proven to be beneficial in enabling more accurate data collection and analysis.

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Three Examples of Using Cylinder Optics for Beam Shaping

By Lisa Yang | Sep 20, 2021 9:15:00 AM

Unlike a conventional spherical lens, a "cylinder lens" has curvature along only one axis, as shown in the first figure. Cylinder lenses are useful in applications where light needs to be manipulated in only one direction. The example shown is a plano-convex positive lens, which brings parallel rays to a line focus.

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Zemax: The Software Solution to Find the Ideal Lens

By Ross Team | Jul 23, 2019 10:10:00 AM

When creating an optical system, there are many challenges an engineer faces when choosing how to design a lens. Choosing the correct lens without the right tools can prove to be very difficult and costly. Zemax, a ray-tracing optical design software program, provides designs and analyses for imaging and illumination systems. This allows for the user to view the way different lenses work while providing analysis diagrams documenting a variety of data sets. Zemax is a great tool to improve performance, shorten time to market, and reduce production costs.

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Secrets of Optical Design, Part 3: Mastering Design Software

By Damon Diehl | Aug 3, 2018 11:17:00 AM

This article is the last of our three-part series on optical design secrets. In previous blogs we explained some important aspects of optical manufacturing, and we offered advice on how to protect your production schedule by using reliable optics sourcing to defend your optics supply chain. This final article provides some best practices to follow when using optical design software. There are too many programs and applications for us to give software-specific advice, but our optical design expertise enables us to provide some important principles that apply whenever you use software to optimize the performance of an optical system design .

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Three Applications of Rod Lenses

By Ross Team | Jul 19, 2018 9:50:55 AM

A previous article explored applications of cylinder lenses. In those examples, the lenses were only curved on one side—the other side was flat (i.e. "plano-"). Cylinder lenses can be curved on both sides, though, creating a "rod lens." Rod lenses are unique in that they can be used either side-on or end-on depending upon the application. Here are three examples of their versatility.

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Warming Up: Three Hot Markets for the Infrared Optical Industry

By Ross Team | Feb 20, 2018 12:07:36 PM

Demand for infrared optical elements has extended beyond just lens assemblies and hot/cold mirrors. Specifically, there is growing interest across the optical industry for bandpass filters, achromats, athermal elements, and polarizing waveplates. The demand spans all IR wavelength bands—near IR (0.75 µm to 1.4 µm), short-wavelength IR (1.4 µm to 3 µm), mid-wavelength IR (3 µm to 8 µm), and long-wavelength IR (8 µm to 15 µm). Advances in sensor and source technology, as well as a changing marketplace, are driving this growth. Demand from three industries stands out as particularly noteworthy:

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Optics Provide a High-Res Look at a Galaxy Far, Far Away

By Katie Steelman | Sep 13, 2017 8:55:00 AM
Stock image, Claudio Ventrella

Have you ever tried to take a picture of a bright full moon or a star-filled sky, only to be disappointed when virtually nothing shows up on your phone screen? The distance and brightness of these objects make it nearly impossible to get a sharp image—and that’s just in our own galaxy.

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Looking Forward to Great Views and Productive Conversations at Optics + Photonics in San Diego

By Charlie Metzger | Jul 31, 2017 1:40:00 PM

SPIE Optics + Photonics (O+P) is coming up in San Diego, California, the week of August 6. The optics industry changes quickly, and O+P is a prime place to catch up on the latest developments across the field, with an even mix of technological innovations and applications.

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Enabling New Photonics Tech: Hot Topics in R&D from Photonics West

By Charlie Metzger | Feb 24, 2017 9:50:00 AM

The annual SPIE Photonics West conference in San Francisco set new attendance records. More than 22,000 people met to discuss the latest in light-based science and engineering, and the exhibition hall, featuring 1,345 companies, sold out months in advance. The BiOS, LASE, and OPTO conferences were the place to learn about the latest photonics R&D.

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The Hunt for Large Lenses Stops Here

By Damon Diehl | Oct 11, 2016 11:04:00 AM

Do other optics suppliers think you’re weird for wanting large lenses? We don’t.

As more and more optical suppliers consolidate and streamline their businesses, few continue to carry large diameter lenses. This is problematic because large diameter optics remain critical for precision instruments such as telescopes and imagers.  

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