Optical Flats can be used as flatness references or windows.
Press Release Summary:
Offered with precision surfaces on one or both sides, Fused Silica flats maintain flatness of λ/10 or λ/20. Diameter ranges from 25-200 mm for single- and dual-sided versions with λ/10 flatness and thicknesses up to 38 mm at 200 mm dia. Select sizes are offered with flatness of λ/20 for single-sided applications. Also available, BK7 flats have specified flatness of λ/4 or better and are suited for less demanding applications.
Original Press Release:
BK7 and Fused Silica Optical Flats Offer Choice of Flatness vs Cost
Boynton Beach, FL-Tower Optical has announced a new, low cost, product line of optical flats, made from either the more affordable BK7 or, for higher quality requirements, Fused Silica. The flats, which are generally used as a reference against which the flatness of an unknown surface can be determined, may also be used as windows.
The Fused Silica optical flats are offered with precision flat surfaces on one side or both sides. They maintain a flatness of either λ/10 or λ/20 and are easy to use. Their diameter ranges from 25mm to 200mm for single and dual sided with a λ/10 flatness and thicknesses up to 38mm at 200 mm diameter. Selected sizes are offered with flatness of λ/20 for single sided applications.
For less demanding applications the optical flats are available that are manufactured from BK7. These flats are much less expensive than the fused silica but the flatness is specified as Lambda/4 or better. As an example the unit price for a 200mm single sided optical flats made in BK7 is $525.00 whereas the Fused Silica version of the same flat is $1,575.00. In addition, Tower offers padded Aluminum storage cases for flats up to 100mm for $20.00 each and the larger case for up to 200mm for $50.
For flats made from Fused Silica, with a flatness of ë/10, the price range is from $80.00 to $1,890.00. Discounts are offered for purchases in OEM quantities. All optical flats are supplied with an interferogram. As is the case with most Tower products, custom versions are also available.
Detailed specifications for the precision optical flats are available at www.toweroptical.com under the Precision Optical Flat tab.
These flats are available from Tower Optical Corp, 3600 S. Congress Ave, Boynton Beach, FL 33426. Telephone-1-800-526-7560, 1-561-740-2525, or Fax-1-561-740-2518. Email communication accepted at mailto: Sales@TowerOptical.com.
