#waveplates

Optical lenses are transparent optical components used to diverge or converge light emitted from peripheral objects. The transmitted rays of light then form a virtual or real image of the object.

Optical lenses are used in a wide range of applications ranging from laser processing and edge photonics technology to microscopy, optical imaging and optical computing. In fact, industries like life sciences, industrial, astronomy and defense use optical lenses for a variety of purposes.

Lenses are great examples of transmissive optical components, which means that they transmit or pass light. Filters, flats, prisms, windows, waveplates, and beamsplitters are other examples of transmissive components.

Conversely, retroflectors and optical mirrors are reflective components that reflect light instead of transmitting it.

Uses of optical lenses

· Correcting optical aberrations

· Image projection

· Image focusing

· Magnification

Classification

Optical lenses are typically classified into the following types:

Converging (or positive) lenses

Converging lenses cause the beam of light to converge on a spot behind the lens (between “near” and infinity). Plano-convex and biconvex lenses are considered positive.

Diverging (or negative) lenses

Diverging lenses cause the beam of light to spread or converge behind the lens. Plano-concave and biconcave—the two types of concave lenses—are negative.

Meniscus (convex-concave) lenses

These lenses can either be negative or positive depending on the curvature of the lens.

For instance, if a meniscus lens has a steep concave surface, it’s considered negative, while a steep convex surface indicates a positive lens.

A meniscus lens that has equal curvature on both sides will neither diverge nor converge light.

Selecting the Correct Optical Lens

Choosing for the correct lens type depends heavily on the intended application. In cases where you need to minimize optical distortion or aberration, choosing the right lens shape is of utmost importance.

Achromatic lenses, for instance, are designed for applications that require color correction since they bring two wavelengths (typically blue and red) into focus on the same plane.

Similarly, aspheric lenses are used in correcting spherical aberrations since they minimize eye distortion without compromising optical quality.

Moreover, Silicon (Si), Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) or Germanium (Ge) lenses are ideal for applications that require transmitting the Infrared spectrum. Fused Silica, on the other hand, is suited for the Ultraviolet spectrum.

If you’re looking for customized high-quality precision optics, head over to Tower Optical. Their use of state-of-the-art technology, custom-building capabilities, and unparalleled quality has positioned them as a leader in the industry.

They offer a multitude of products, including optical filters, optical flats, beam expanders, laser mirrors and more than 10,000 waveplates. They even specialize in build-to-print cost-effective precision optics.

Optical prisms come in a variety of types. The most commonly used ones are micro prisms, large prisms, and standard prisms. The varying types and quality standards of prisms offer a range of capabilities to industry experts.

Prisms are used to rotate images and redirect light. While they may seem like simplistic components of an optical system, prisms offer a variety of functions and rely on specific manufacturing to produce the right results.

Owing to their refracting and bending properties, prisms have the ability to deviate, invert, and bend the beam of light passing through them. Their most common uses are in imaging, display systems, measurement, visual aiming, and projection applications in various industries. Beam rotators make use of dove prisms that have the innate ability to rotate light beams and assist with astronomy and interferometry.

Features of standard prisms

Several optical tasks are carried out by standard prisms such as the right-angle prism, penta prism, corner cube reflector, and roof prisms. They’re available in different quality standards that will meet your varying needs; the most common materials used in prism manufacturing are BK7 grade A glass and UV grade fused silica.

The combination of flat polished sides and controlled angles play a vital role in the functions of a prism. Owing to its angles, the deflecting and refraction of light can be controlled.

From complex prisms to the simplest ones, each one offers a host of benefits and shortcomings.

Customized optical prisms

The most challenging applications require flatness tolerances and demanding angles—something standard prisms may not be able to offer for the highly-specialized procedure.

These specialized optical systems demand components that standard prisms types can’t provide. In order to provide precision and reliability in each result, it’s imperative to utilize the full potential of the prism you’re using.

From polishing and coating to angles and size, prisms are complex optical structures that can be fabricated to suit your specific needs.

Manufacturing an optical component based on your designs will offer cost-efficiency, ease of use, and greater precision.

Do you want to utilize your prism designs to manufacture precision optical prisms for your application needs? Tower Optical specializes in custom prisms of the highest quality.

With l/10 @ 632.8 mm flatness and between sizes 0.5 mm to 80mm, the company can make your designs a reality.

Tower Optical’s custom manufacturing capabilities employ complex tools, the latest technologies, and offer low-cost alternatives. The company has a wide range of precision optical products in stock and can custom-build waveplates, beam expanders, micro prisms, and optical filters according to your specifications.

Optical waveplates are, essentially, birefringent crystals that modify the polarization state of a beam of light. They’re most commonly used by experts in the fields of aerospace, fiber optic communication, astronomy, biomedical engineering, and the semiconductor industry.

Waveplates—also known as optical retarders—are optical devices that offer various types and optical properties. Owing to the nature of your needs, you can opt for a waveplate at any wavelength.

What are large-format waveplates?

Produced with high-quality, durable, and laser quality crystal quartz, large-format waveplates come in handy for demanding applications. Ranging from 3mm to 4mm in thickness, these waveplates offer greater functionality for experts’ varied needs.

With a high laser damage threshold, large crystal quartz retarders offer retardation stability even under conditions of temperature change.

Large-format waveplates are ideal for use for applications where the beam’s position or size moves over large distances. The large, high-quality clear aperture allows greater amounts of light beams to be transmitted and, thus, allowing for more challenging capabilities.

The clear apertures, of about 34mm or 46mm, enable uniform retardance. Accuracy is a key requirement for many of the challenging industry applications that large-format waveplates are used for. Thus, these durable retarders are greatly advantageous for a wide range of customers.

With retardation of 1/2 and 1/4 Wave, the large-format optical waveplates offer a transformation in light polarization. With precision, dependence, and homogeneity, this product provides optimum performance.

Custom-made large-format waveplates

Depending on the nature of your application needs, custom waveplates can offer greater functionality and standardized results each time. For this purpose, custom designing your waveplates can be more beneficial.

Tower Optical, one of Florida’s leading precision optics manufacturer, has been providing custom solutions to their varied clients for over 40 years. The company’s dedication to cost-effective, viable optical solutions has earned them a stellar reputation—not just in Florida, but all over the world!

Tower Optical produces over 10,000 waveplates. From partial waveplates, holey waveplates, and cemented waveplates to air-spaced, zero order, and multiple order waveplates, they’ve got it all.

Their large-format waveplates are produced with laser quality crystal quartz and can be either mounted or unmounted. The standard wavelengths for 38.1mm and 50.8mm waveplates are 355, 532, 632.8, 800, and 1064. However, you can have a custom version of each waveplate manufactured for you as well.

The company has a variety of in-stock and built to order laser windows, beam expanders, optical filters, and other precision optics.