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Plano Optics — Applications
High-Energy Laser Optics
ITT has over 50 years experience fabricating high precision flats with very low surface roughness in support of the U.S. Department of Energy's Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) program. The ICF program uses laser systems to demonstrate thermonuclear fusion ignition and power generation in the laboratory. ITT has supported almost every major laser fusion program in the world with high quality optical components.
Working with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's National Ignition Facility (NIF), and the Laboratory for Laser Energetics at the University of Rochester, ITT is currently fabricating and finishing:
- Large fused silica lenses to focus the high energy laser beams
- Diagnostic optics used with instrumentation for laser beam analysis
- Transport optics for redirecting high energy laser beams at the target
- Debris shields, which protect other optics and instrumentation from damage
Test Optics
ITT fabricates transmission flats and reference flats up to 25in. (0.64 m) diameter for large interferometric systems.
Observation Windows
ITT has fabricated the high-performance observation and photographic windows for the Space Shuttle among other platforms. These windows meet demanding structural and optical requirements.
Gaging Systems
ITT manufactures narrow bar shaped optics up to 48" (1.22 m) in length; we meet very stringent quality requirements (20-10 mil spec) over the critical areas of the mirror surface.
ITT is making rectangular reflective flats for distance measuring systems. These laser-based systems are used in stepper machines to register sub-micron size features on semiconductor chips.
Relay Mirrors
We fabricate:
- Beam steering mirrors for laser fusion systems
- Turning mirrors for telescope systems
- Lightweight steering mirrors for optical communication
- Remote sensing systems
In fact, today's newest large telescopes, such as the W.M. Keck Observatory and the WIYN telescope at Kitt Peak use large ITT flats for the Nasmyth focus.
Large Vacuum Compatible Viewing Windows
30" (0.76 m) square windows; which are routinely polished to better than .03 waves rms. These windows are often reworked to remove in-use damage.
Grating Substrates
A variety of shapes and sizes have been manufactured to exacting dimensional tolerances and surface requirements in preparation of grating applications
Inspection Instruments
ITT can manufacture mirrors to be used in instruments; fold mirrors, reference mirrors, and calibration mirrors.
Solid Plano Optics
ITT offers solid plano mirrors in a variety of sizes, from a few inches to several feet. A range of solid planos have been produced for use as fold mirrors, reference mirrors and bars, and grating substrates, including the following features:
- Very smooth surfaces - Less than 5 angstroms rms roughness
- Very flat surfaces - Less than .01 waves rms
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