Beam Expander includes diffraction limited optical designs.

Press Release Summary:




Featuring large output clear apertures of 10-100 mm, expansion ratios from 5x to 40x, and input apertures of 1.3-20 mm, laser beam expanders provide adjustable focus for collimation at varying wavelengths, which can be used for divergence correction, collimation, and focusing. With damage thresholds of 500 MW/cm² typical, they can be specified at single and dual wavelengths from 248-1,550 nm. Rugged and self-supporting units have aluminum construction to minimize thermal distortion.



Original Press Release:



Special Optics Introduces New High Performance Large Output Beam Expanders



Wharton, New Jersey - April 18, 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:

o laser cutting of solar cells
o laser marking of diverse materials
o laser drilling of metal sheets
o laser structuring of metal foils
o 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 info@specialoptics.com, or call (973) 366-7289 today.

About Special Optics

Special Optics is a vertically integrated supplier of precision optical components and assemblies for high-technology applications, serving the medical, defense and security, semiconductor, and commercial OEM markets. For more information, call 973-366-7289 or visit the Special Optics website at www.specialoptics.com.

About Navitar, Inc.

Navitar is the leading supplier of optics, opto-mechanical sub-assemblies and opto-electronic system solutions for the machine vision, microscopy, automation, assembly, imaging, testing, measuring, inspection, nanotechnology and digital projection industries. Navitar, Inc. has offices and subsidiaries in the U.S., Japan, Germany, China, Israel, and the United Kingdom. For more information about Navitar, Inc. and their vast offering of innovative products, call 1-800-828-6778 or visit the company's web site at www.navitar.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Amy Block
Navitar, Inc.
(585) 359-4000

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