The practical difference in an F-theta lens vs standard focusing lens comparison is the job each optic is designed to perform. A standard focusing lens is normally chosen to form a good focus at one on-axis location, or within a limited field defined by its…
A CO2 laser ZnSe lens is an infrared optical component designed for focusing and transmitting CO2 laser energy, typically around the 10.6 μm wavelength. Zinc selenide (ZnSe) has become one of the most widely used materials for CO2 laser optics because of its suitable infrared…
A clinical chemistry analyzer filter is a wavelength-selective optical component used to control which portion of light reaches the detector during photometric measurements. In these instruments, the filter helps isolate the measurement wavelength required for analyzing the optical absorption of a sample or reagent reaction.…
A band pass optical filter manufacturer should be evaluated by more than whether it can supply a filter at a requested center wavelength. For interference filters, center wavelength, bandwidth, passband transmission, blocking range, optical density, angle of incidence, cone angle, polarization, substrate, dimensions, and inspection…
Knowing how to choose a wavefront error specification means defining more than a number such as λ/4 or λ/10. A complete specification should identify what wavefront is being controlled, whether the limit is PV or RMS, the reference wavelength, the evaluated aperture, which low-order terms…
An automotive LiDAR optical filter manufacturer should be evaluated by how well the filter specification matches the complete receiver, not simply by whether a catalog filter is labeled 905 nm or 1550 nm. Automotive LiDAR receivers must distinguish weak returned laser energy from sunlight and…
What is a beamsplitter and how does it work? A beamsplitter is an optical component that divides incident light into two main optical paths: one reflected and one transmitted. In many designs, this is achieved with a partially reflective optical coating deposited on a transparent…
Wavelength in optics is the spatial distance over which a light wave repeats, commonly measured from one wave crest to the next. It is represented by the Greek letter λ (lambda) and is normally expressed in nanometers (nm) for visible and near-infrared optics or micrometers…
A LiDAR filter manufacturer should be evaluated on more than whether it can supply a filter centered near the laser wavelength. The filter must work with the actual source spectrum, receiver field of view, detector response, angle of incidence, environmental conditions and mechanical package. For…
Transmission, reflection, and absorption describe three fundamental ways light interacts with an optical material or component. Transmission is the portion of incident optical power that passes through the component, reflection is the portion returned from its surfaces or optical structure, and absorption is the portion…
Germanium vs silicon infrared optics is mainly a question of wavelength, thermal behavior, weight, optical design, and material grade—not which material is universally better. Germanium is commonly selected when an optical system must transmit long-wave infrared radiation, particularly in the 8–14 μm region. Silicon is…
To reduce stray light with optical filters, first identify whether the unwanted radiation differs spectrally or by polarization from the desired signal. A bandpass, longpass, shortpass, notch, neutral density, or polarizing filter can then attenuate the relevant unwanted light before it reaches the detector. The…
