Plano Optics - Zygo Optical Systems Division

Plano Optics

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Plano Optics Custom Fabricated Single- or Double-Sided Plano Optics

Large Plano Optics, Plano Optics Polishing Machine

The term Plano Optics can mean different things to different people. A single-sided plano optic, so called because only one side is ground and polished to specification, is most often used as a reference surface to determine the flatness quality of another plano optical surface, such as the face of a prism, optical mirror, optical window, or another plano optic. When the plano optic is placed in contact with the test surface and illuminated with a monochromatic light source, an interference pattern is visible, the shape and character of which indicates the flatness of the test surface. A single-sided plano optic may also serve as the substrate for a high-quality optical mirror.

A double-sided plano optic, where both sides are polished to specification, may also be used as a reference surface for evaluating a test optic, or it may be used as a optical window, or as oil-on plates for material qualification, such as optical homogeneity.

For windows, the material should be chosen carefully to suit the application. Zygo can fabricate custom plano optics from a wide range of materials, including, but not limited to:

• Cleartran (water-clear Zinc Sulfide - ZnS)

• Germanium

• Glass (fused silica, BK7, etc.)

• Sapphire (various crystal orientations)

• Silicon

• Zinc selenide (ZnSe)

Sizes

Zygo can fabricate plano optics ranging in size from a few millimeters to greater than 1 meter.

Wavelengths

Zygo has developed a wide range of manufacturing processes to fabricate plano optics and windows that operate in the infrared (IR), visible, and ultra-violet (UV) parts of the spectrum. Similarly, Zygo has experience with multi-spectral applications, combining IR and visible. Plano optics can be provided with or without thin film coatings.

Applications

Zygo has a long tradition of manufacturing custom-made plano optics for a wide variety of applications, including, but not limited to:

• Amplifier Slabs, discs and rods

• Debris Shields

• Infrared (IR) windows

• Intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance (ISR applications)

• Laser fusion optics

• Reference surfaces

• Ultra-violet (UV) windows

• Visible windows

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