Optical Surfaces Ltd. has launched a new mounting system that provides a highly stable platform for wedged, back off-axis, parabolic mirrors.
Off axis parabolic mirrors can be produced by two distinct methods, as a standalone, single optic, or from a parent, on-axis paraboloid. Produced by the parent method, wedged back off-axis paraboloids can be accurately centered. In addition, the back of the wedged, back off-axis, parabolic mirror can be polished and used to define the optical axis direction which assists alignment. Until now, mounting a wedged back off-axis parabolic mirror has been a difficult and time-consuming task.
Ultra-high precision, off-axis, parabolic mirrors are, however, useless unless they are positioned with absolute precision and are stress-free. Optical Surfaces Ltd. has developed the expertise to produce stress-free mounts tailored for use with a specific, wedged back, off-axis, parabolic mirror, thereby optimizing the optical performance of these useful optical systems.
Constructed in black, anodized aluminum – Optical Surfaces wedged back paraboloid mounts provide a secure and stable platform for mirror diameters from 50 to 200 mm. Angular alignment about two axes is made by means of dual action adjusters that allow high resolution positioning. The correct rotational adjustment is pre-set by the factory. Using these tailored optimized mounts, it is possible to align a wedged back off-axis parabolic mirror rapidly and accurately.
Benefiting from a uniquely stable manufacturing environment, and a highly skilled team of engineers and craftsmen, Optical Surfaces is a world leading producer of high precision, off-axis, parabolic mirrors. The company can routinely produce off-axis parabolic mirrors with surface accuracy to lambda/20 (peak-to-valley) depending upon off-axis angles.
Using proprietary polishing techniques, Optical Surfaces can, depending on the surface accuracy required, achieve the natural limit to the off-axis angle of around 25 to 30 degrees and surface micro-roughness of less than 1 nm. A range of coatings is available for standard and custom components from metallic with or without protective overcoat to multi-layer dielectrics and ultra-hard coatings.
Optical Surfaces’ ISO 9001-2015 approved manufacturing workshops and test facilities are deep underground in a series of tunnels excavated in solid chalk. This provides an environment where temperature is naturally thermally stable, and vibration is extremely low. With such stable conditions testing of high precision optical components and mounted mirrors becomes quantifiable and reliable. In addition to these natural advantages, Optical Surfaces has invested in an extensive range of test equipment and have developed methods to ensure accurate and reliable testing.