Custom Optics · Technical Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers to common questions about custom optical components, drawings, spectral requirements, materials, coatings, manufacturing, inspection and project inquiries.
Starting a Custom Optics Project
A useful technical discussion starts with the optical function of the component and the information already available from your design, sample or existing system.
What types of optical components does GIAI work with?
GIAI works with custom optical filters, optical lenses, prisms, optical windows, mirrors, beamsplitters, infrared optics and optical assemblies. Projects may involve optical fabrication, coating and inspection according to the component specification.
Explore GIAI’s optical component range on the Optical Components and Manufacturing Capabilities pages.
What information should I provide for a custom optics RFQ?
Send the technical information that defines the component as clearly as possible. Useful inputs include:
- drawing, dimensional sketch or existing sample;
- operating wavelength or spectral range;
- required optical function;
- material or substrate, when already specified;
- critical dimensions and mechanical interfaces;
- coating, transmission, reflection or blocking requirements;
- angle of incidence where relevant;
- inspection or documentation requirements;
- sample quantity and expected production quantity.
Application information is also useful because the same nominal optical component can require different specifications in different optical systems.
Can I send an existing sample if I do not have a complete drawing?
Yes. A customer drawing is the preferred reference for a non-standard component, but GIAI can also review a supplied sample together with the available application and technical information when a complete drawing is not available.
If the existing component needs to be replaced or modified, explain what should remain unchanged and what optical or mechanical performance needs to change.
Can I contact GIAI before all specifications are finalized?
Yes. An early-stage discussion can begin with the information already available. Start with the component function, drawing or sample, operating wavelength, approximate dimensions and the requirements that are most important to the system.
Additional material, coating, tolerance and inspection details can then be reviewed as the component definition becomes clearer.
Should I provide both sample quantity and expected production quantity?
Yes, when that information is available. State whether the inquiry concerns an evaluation sample, development or validation quantity, or an expected production requirement. Quantity and project stage are part of the manufacturing review.
Optical Filters & Coatings
Filter and coating requirements should describe the optical behavior required in the actual system rather than relying only on a product name or nominal wavelength.
What specifications are useful for a custom optical filter?
A custom filter inquiry should identify the spectral function first. Depending on the filter type, useful information may include the operating wavelength, passband, center wavelength, bandwidth, transmission requirement, blocking range, optical density requirement and angle of incidence.
The substrate, dimensions, clear aperture, mechanical form and operating conditions should also be included when they affect the finished component.
Why should the angle of incidence be specified for an interference filter?
The optical behavior of an interference coating is related to its operating geometry. If the filter is used at a defined non-zero angle, state that angle when requesting the coating or filter so the spectral requirement can be evaluated under the intended condition.
What information should I provide for an optical coating requirement?
Describe the coating by the optical performance needed in the system. Typical inputs include wavelength or spectral band, transmission or reflection target, blocking requirement, substrate and angle of incidence.
Polarization, clear aperture and operating conditions should also be stated when they are important to performance.
Which types of components can involve optical coating work?
GIAI provides optical coating for filters, lenses, mirrors, windows, prisms and other custom optical components. Coating requirements are considered together with the substrate, component geometry and required optical function.
Lenses, Prisms, Windows & Other Components
Mechanical geometry and optical function need to be considered together when specifying lenses, prisms, windows, mirrors and other precision optical components.
What should I send for a custom lens, prism, mirror or optical window?
Provide the drawing or sample when available, together with material, operating wavelength, dimensions, optical surfaces, clear aperture, edge or mounting features, coating requirement and the characteristics that need to be inspected.
Explain the component’s function in the optical path, such as focusing, transmission, reflection, beam deviation, beam splitting or protection.
What optical materials does GIAI work with?
GIAI works with optical materials including BK7, fused silica, quartz, B270, sapphire, silicon, germanium, ZnSe, magnesium fluoride and other optical glass types.
Material selection should be matched to the wavelength region, geometry, coating requirement and intended optical function rather than selected by material name alone.
Does GIAI work with optical assemblies as well as individual components?
GIAI’s manufacturing capability includes multi-element lens and optical assembly work for projects with defined optical and mechanical requirements. Assembly requirements should be included in the drawing or project specification so interfaces and inspection needs can be reviewed together.
Manufacturing, Inspection & Documentation
Manufacturing and inspection are tied to the actual optical component, its drawing and the acceptance requirements agreed for the project.
What manufacturing stages can be involved in a custom optical component?
Depending on the component, the manufacturing route may involve material preparation, shaping, milling or grinding, precision grinding, polishing, rinsing and cleaning, edging, optical coating, inspection and assembly.
The exact sequence is determined by the optic’s geometry, material, optical function, surface requirements, coating specification and drawing.
How are custom optical components inspected?
Inspection is based on the characteristics defined for the component. Depending on the part, verification may address dimensions, thickness, clear aperture, surface condition, surface figure, wedge, centration, coating transmission or reflection and relevant assembly characteristics.
A filter and an imaging lens do not necessarily require the same inspection approach. The drawing and agreed optical specification should define the acceptance target.
When should inspection or documentation requirements be specified?
Define them before production whenever the project requires a particular inspection condition, reporting format, supplier document, material record or other controlled documentation.
Include these requirements with the RFQ or purchase specification so they can be reviewed together with the component rather than added after the manufacturing route has been established.
Where can I review GIAI’s quality assurance information?
Visit the Quality Assurance page for information about specification review, process inspection, optical verification, dimensional requirements, final inspection and project-specific documentation.
Where can I find GIAI’s certification documentation?
GIAI’s Certifications & Compliance page provides available certification and quality-system documentation for supplier review.
If your supplier approval process requires a certificate that is valid on the date of review, a controlled certificate copy, a specific compliance record or a customer form, include that requirement with your inquiry so the applicable documentation can be confirmed.
Project-specific requirements should be defined before production.
Tolerances, inspection methods, reporting needs, documentation and other acceptance requirements vary with the actual component. Include critical requirements in the drawing, specification or RFQ rather than assuming one universal standard for every optic.
Company & Project Contact
For project discussions, send the engineering information you already have so the sales and technical teams can work from the same component definition.
Where is GIAI Photonics located?
GIAI Photonics is located in Longgang, Shenzhen, China. Company and facility information can be reviewed on the About GIAI and Factory Tour pages.
How do I send a drawing, sample or technical inquiry to GIAI?
Use the Contact GIAI Photonics page to reach the international sales team. Send your drawing, sample details or application information together with the optical, mechanical, coating and quantity requirements already available.
Where can I see GIAI’s manufacturing and technical resources?
The Manufacturing Capabilities page covers fabrication, coating and inspection. The Technical Team page explains how optical requirements, materials, coating, manufacturing feasibility and inspection are coordinated during custom projects.
You can also review the Factory Tour, Quality Assurance and Certifications & Compliance pages.
Project Resources
Continue Your Technical Review
Review the manufacturing, quality and company information relevant to your optical component.
Custom Optical Components
Have a Requirement That Is Not Covered Here?
Send your drawing or sample together with the available wavelength, dimensions, material, coating, application, quantity and inspection requirements. GIAI can review the technical inputs for your optical component.