Apr 21 2008
Special Optics, Inc., a vertically integrated supplier of precision optical components and assemblies for high-technology applications, introduced today a new family of high performance large output laser beam expanders. These new beam expanders include diffraction limited optical designs with large output clear apertures of 10 mm to over 100 mm, expansion ratios from 5X to 40X and input apertures of 1.3 mm to 20 mm.
With high transmission and low wavefront distortion, the large output beam expanders can be specified at single and dual wavelengths from 248nm to 1550nm and have damage thresholds of typically 500 MW/cm2. Featuring standard clear entrance apertures of up to 20 mm, the beam expanders transmit the entire beam with excellent wavefront quality.
Special Optics beam expanders allow proper collimation and a more controlled focus or defocus of the beam. These Galilean design beam expanders provide an adjustable focus for collimation at varying wavelengths which can be used for divergence correction, collimation and focusing. They are adaptable for complex applications requiring increased power density at the focal point, beam guidance over long distance, dual wavelengths (1064nm and 532nm), high power laser energy and large aperture needs.
Designed to be rugged and self-supporting, Special Optics beam expanders provide performance from the ultraviolet to the visible and infrared regions. With aluminum construction to minimize thermal distortion, the beam expanders are easy to use and provide accurate, unobstructed expansion for any collimated input source.
When used in combination with Special Optics F-Theta lenses, the large output beam expanders can be used for a variety of laser processing and laser micromachining tasks such as:
- laser cutting of solar cells
- laser marking of diverse materials
- laser drilling of metal sheets
- laser structuring of metal foils
- laser scribing of ceramic substrates
Special Optics has been manufacturing and designing the highest quality laser beam expanders since 1965. The range of beam expanders is extensive including high power, low power, large aperture, achromatic (dual Wavelength), apochromatic (wavelength range), manual zoom, and motorized variable zoom beam expanders covering wavelengths from UV to the IR.
In addition to their standard products, Special Optics provides custom beam expanders optimally tailored for a customer’s exact needs. Customized beam expanders can be produced to provide lower wavefront distortions, different expansion ratios, higher transmissions and damage thresholds and even larger output beam diameters. Custom systems have been designed to provide output beam diameters of over 200 mm as well as input beam diameters that exceed 100 mm. Special Optics custom beam expanders represents a key building block in the development of the next generation of airborne laser, LIDAR and laser weapon Technologies.
For more information on Special Optics IR beam expanders, UV beam expanders, fixed beam expanders, variable zoom beam expanders, motorized zoom beam expanders and custom laser optical systems, visit our website www.specialoptics.com, email [email protected], or call (973) 366-7289 today.