Off-axis parabolic mirrors can be a useful tool in optical design. OAPs combine the achromatic and diffraction limited imaging properties of a parabolic mirror with the ability to deviate the light path off-axis, which is useful for most imaging systems. OAP’s offer the ability to focus collimated light without introducing spherical aberration. Continue…
Optical Surfaces Limited are a UK based company supplying the world with optical components and instruments. We specialise in large optics, beam expanders, collimators and prototypes, plus custom systems and optics.
Over the last 50 years – Optical Surfaces Ltd has established itself as a leading international manufacturer of top quality, high precision optical components and systems. We have contributed to many major projects worldwide involved in areas such as:
• fundamental physics • astronomy • space • defence and the environment
Optical Surfaces Ltd reports delivery to the Research Institute in Astrophysics and Planetology (IRAP) of high precision disperser prisms and folding mirror components that lie at the heart of the ground breaking SPIRou / SPIP near infrared spectrograph.
The SPIRou / SPIP spectrograph is designed to be able to record the whole near infrared spectrum of a star (over the wavelength range 0.98-2.35 µm and in either circular or linear polarization) ...
Optical Surfaces Ltd has developed proprietary light weighting techniques that can reduce the weight of a mirror by as much as 60%.
In spaceborne applications the need to minimise payload is a key factor in designing optical systems. Optical Surfaces lightweight mirrors are designed to provide sufficient rigidity to ensure ultra-high precision optical performance while reducing the overall weight of the mirror. This reduced weight, in turn, allows smaller, lighter support ...
Optical Surfaces Ltd. reports that its off-axis parabolic mirrors are particularly suitable for coating using an Ion Beam Sputtering (IBS) technique that provides near 100% reflectivity thereby providing unmatched protection from thermal damage that often arises from high power continuous wave lasers.
Dr Aris Kouris, Sales Director of Optical Surfaces Ltd. explained "Surface microroughness of parabolic mirrors is an important optical quality parameter which describes features which are typically smaller than ...
Optical Surfaces Ltd. is a specialist producer of extremely durable, high performance coated mirrors, up to 600 mm in diameter, for use with high power femtosecond lasers.
Employing the latest dielectric coating technology, these high-power laser mirrors provide minimum pulse distortion and the maximum usable bandwidth. When used with high-power femtosecond lasers operating at 750 to 850 nm, Optical Surfaces mirrors are designed for use at power densities exceeding 1 J/cm2 ...