Optical Surfaces Ltd has received an order from Armstrong Optical, a leading UK
supplier of optical metrology instruments, to supply high specification transmission
and reference flats for a custom interferometer.
Being built for a leading defence contractor the interferometer will be used to evaluate
the quality and certify the performance of advanced military optical systems.
Darren Wiles, R&D Manager at Armstrong Optical commented “Reference flat
interferometry is a trusted optical metrology technique used in defence applications for
testing the integrity, flatness, and surface quality of critical components, such as
optical elements for guidance systems, laser systems, and high-precision mirrors. To
achieve our customers required interferometric testing precision necessitated a very
large diameter transmission flat manufactured with high surface accuracy, excellent
surface quality and design adaption to eliminate back reflection and stray light.
Likewise, the very large diameter reference flat that will be used for periodic calibration
of our interferometer will be produced to the same high specifications”.
He added “As a world leader in the design and supply of transmission and reference
flats – Optical Surfaces Ltd were an easy choice as supplier. Having collaborated with
them before we also appreciate their free technical guidance that ensures the
outstanding optimised performance of our interferometers.”
Optical Surfaces Ltd has been producing high precision optical components and
systems for more than 60 years. Benefiting from a unique thermally stable
manufacturing environment, Optical Surfaces Ltd. can routinely achieve a surface
accuracy of lambda/20 p.v. and surface roughness of 10 A rms on optical flats up to
600mm in diameter. Working with high-stability materials such as glass, Zerodur and
silica, the company is recognised as a premier supplier of high precision optical flats
by many leading research establishments and national standards laboratories. All
optical flats from Optical Surfaces come with full quality testing assurance. Optics up
to 450 mm diameter are provided with a Fizeau interferometric test report, larger flats
are quality assured using the Ritchey-Common test procedure.
For further information on high precision flats for optical interferometers please visit
https://optisurf.com/flats/ or contact the company on +44-208-668-6126 /
[email protected].
Armstrong Optical (https://armstrongoptical.co.uk/) is a trusted supplier of optical
metrology instruments, including infrared interferometers, for testing components and
systems used in aerospace, defence, and military applications. These instruments are
used to qualify materials, perform research and development, and test production-
grade systems like thermal imaging lenses and mirror systems.
