Elliptical Flat Mirrors
Elliptical flat mirrors are typically used at 45° where a circular cross section of a given size is asked for and are ideal for redirecting light. They are often used as secondary mirrors in Newton telescopes or mounted in a tube where maximum aperture is required, such as in periscopes. Knight Optical’s stock mirrors have a guaranteed flatness of 1λ over 25mm, and where greater precision is required, we offer elliptical mirrors with flatness better than λ/10 as a custom option. We also stock a range of standard front surface mirrors sheets for use in UV/ NIR and IR applications which can be cut and edged into elliptical mirrors at short notice.
- Stock Capabilities: Enhanced aluminium coated R(avg) >94% @ 450-650nm.
- Custom Capabilities: Custom dimensions and coatings including protected silver and dielectric.
- Application Example: Telescopes – secondary mirrors.
Penta Prisms
A penta prism is a 5-sided prism which deviates the beam by 90° without reversal or inversion of the beam. This deviation is independent to the prism alignment as the 90° is maintained independent to the incident angle on the entry face. Penta prisms are widely used in metrology, surveying, range finding, optical alignment, and beam steering applications. Our stock penta prisms feature aluminium mirrored surfaces and tight deviation tolerances for reliable performance, and all but the entry and exit faces are coated with a protective matte black paint.
- Stock Capabilities: N-BK7 penta prisms with 10mm or 20mm entry/exit faces available. Aluminium mirror coating with a matte black overcoat on the reflective surfaces.
- Custom Capabilities: Custom dimensions and materials, AR coatings on the entry/exit faces.
- Application Example: Range finding – laser alignment and steering.
Ball Lenses
Ball lenses are fully spherical optical lenses which offer very short focal lengths and can be used to minimise the distance between the lens and the optical fibre to improve signal quality. Knight Optical offers an extensive range of high-performance ball lenses used for applications such as fibre coupling, laser collimation, and endoscopy.
- Stock Capabilities: 0.4mm to 10mm diameters available, in materials including N-BK7, sapphire, quartz, cubic zirconia, high-index materials such as LASFN-35 and LASFN-9.
- Custom Capabilities: Custom dimensions up to 50mm dependent on the material, additional materials are available including ruby, silicon, alumina, and borosilicate. Can be manufactured to different grades.
- Application Example: Fibre optic coupling, endoscopic imaging.
Knight Optical provide a wide range of both stock and custom optical components through our website to suit your needs. Alternatively, you can reach out to us to discuss a bespoke component if you cannot find what you need.