Feb 8 2008
Alps Electric today announces the launch of new aspherical glass lenses using lead-free glass in its lineup of 35 existing aspherical glass lenses for optical communications, including fiber to the home (FTTH) and submarine cable. Sample shipments will commence in April 2008.
With these new products, Alps Electric will participate in the 8th Fiber Optics Expo (FOE) held for three days from January 16 at Tokyo Big Sight.
Quartz (silicon dioxide) is an extremely hard mineral and difficult to process compared with other raw materials used in glass. During processing, lead is usually mixed in to soften the material.
However, against the backdrop of the formulation of various regulations for raw materials, there is rising momentum for environment consciousness on a global scale. To that end, an increasing demand for lead-free glass products is seen.
With this in mind, Alps Electric has added new, lead-free products to its 35 existing aspherical glass lenses for optical communications.
Using lead-free glass with a different reflection index and transition point, Alps Electric achieved products that are equivalent to existing products in terms of shape, specifications and price. The new lenses can be installed in conventional facilities without modifying specifications. Alps Electric plans to propose to assembly manufacturers that they replace existing aspherical glass lenses with the new lead-free type.
Lead-free glass tends to have a lower reflection index compared to lead glass. Therefore, in order to achieve the same optical properties as existing products, Alps Electric has used optical design technology to redesign the shape of the aspherical surface to realize a higher refractive value.
With the aim of creating values appreciated by people and kind to the global environment, Alps Electric will continue to develop environment-friendly products.