Distortion in High Performance Reflectors
25Jan
Alluxa Engineering Team
Figure 1. Laser beam profiles comparing the beam shape before and after reflection from a high-performance mirror, as photographed on a display screen.
White Papers
Read through our optics white papers to learn all of the performance and price advantages of manufacturing thin-film interference filters and dielectric coatings using our advanced plasma deposition process. You can also learn the most effective ways to specify optical filters in order to maximize instrument performance for applications such as LIDAR, fluorescence microscopy, solar imaging, and telecommunications. These informative white papers will help you to maximize the advantage gained by using our optical filters and thin-film coatings.
Ultra-Narrowband Optical Filters Pushing Boundaries from the UV to the LWIR
26Jan
Developments in ultra-narrow manufacturing capabilities enable transformative, world-changing, technology.
Advances in optical sensors and imaging technologies are ever more rapidly assimilated into how humans interact, understand themselves, and explore the world around them. The scope of inquiry for optical devices is broad and they enable technologies within, such as implanted transdermal bioMEMS devices, and beyond, or as space-flight surveyors deployed as near and deep space instruments. Central to the functionality of modern optical devices, ultra-narrow bandpass (UNBP) thin-film optical filters enable discrimination of sub-nanometer bands inside broad spectra. These filters, pioneered as NIR DWDM filters for the telecommunications industry, are now essential in extracting meaningful signal from imaging and sensing devices operating anywhere between the deep ultraviolet and the mid infra-red bands. (more…)The role of thin film optics in qPCR and Covid-19 detection
22May
Filter features such as high transmission, steep edges, low ripple and deep blocking are important when testing many samples, says Dr. Rance Fortenberry, director of technology at Alluxa
The current Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for rapid and accurate quantitative analysis of dangerous pathogens, particularly Sars-Cov-2. Fortunately, our ability to determine the structure of new and dangerous viruses has continued to improve since the invention of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which enables the production of billions of copies of a single DNA sample. (more…)Alluxa Introduces HELIX™ Spectral Analysis System for Measuring High-Performance Thin-Film Optical Filters
25Jun
HELIX™ Spectral Analysis System accurately measures the highest-performance optical filters.
The HELIX Spectral Analysis System has redefined measurement capabilities of high performance thin-film optical filters. HELIX is an instrument designed and developed by Alluxa Engineering staff to address the limitations of most commercially available spectrophotometers. The system’s capabilities are four-fold: it is able to track filter edges to OD7 (-70 dB), evaluate blocking to OD9 (-90 dB), resolve edges as steep as 0.4% relative to edge wavelength from 90% transmission to OD7, and resolve passbands that are as narrow as 0.1 nm at full width half maximum (FWHM).
Thin-Film Interference Filters for LIDAR
10Apr
High-performance, ultra-narrowband interference filters improve LIDAR signal-to-noise ratios.
Arguably the most versatile active remote sensing technique, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is used across platforms and across disciplines. Long known to be one of the most important technologies in Earth and atmospheric sciences, LIDAR is now being utilized for obstacle avoidance in autonomous vehicles, urban planning, security, infrastructure development, and many other applications. This surge of novel uses recently forced an influx of technological advancements and a renewed interest in LIDAR sensors that is driving down the cost and making the technology more accessible.
Thin-Film Optical Components for Use in Non-Linear Optical Systems
31Jul
Dispersion controlled thin films boost the performance of NLO systems that utilize a femtosecond laser.
Some of the greatest recent advances seen in bio-imaging and detection are due to techniques that utilize non-linear optical (NLO) phenomena. These techniques have led to a Nobel prize, super-resolution images, label-free visualization of naturally occurring biomolecules, and greater freedom for working with in-vivo samples. Many NLO systems rely on the high peak pulse intensity of femtosecond lasers for signal generation. For this reason, the optical filters and mirrors integrated into these systems must have an appropriate laser damage rating, and the reflective components must be controlled for both group delay dispersion (GDD) and flatness. Choosing optical components that are specifically designed for NLO systems will ensure optimal signal strength, resolution, and image quality. (more…)Multiband Filters Redefine Performance Standards Across Disciplines
23Jun
Advances in thin-film technology have given rise to new classes of multiband filters that redefine performance standards and drive innovation across a variety of disciplines.
Multiband filters can be categorized into a variety of classes that each presents its own set of fabrication challenges, placing limits on what is practically achievable and affecting the reliability of the thin-film manufacturing process. By understanding the scientific and industrial applications for multiband filters, the various filter classes and manufacturing possibilities are better understood. (more…)Next-Generation Thin-Film Optical Filters for Life Sciences
13Nov
Next-generation thin-film optical filters enhance excitation and emission in fluorescence imaging and detection systems.
Fluorescence based systems have revolutionized the way organisms, cells, and biomolecules are visualized and detected. However, challenges that are common in these instruments, such as bleedthrough, background autofluorescence, and poor signal-to-noise ratios (S/N), can reduce performance and lead to frustration.
Fortunately, performance and signal quality can be greatly improved by integrating next-generation thin-film optical filters into fluorescence based instruments. Because proper optical filtering boosts throughput and enables wide-scale blocking, it solves problems like backscatter and poor signal quality, resulting in bright, high-contrast images of the target molecules.
Because system performance greatly depends on filter quality, optical filters are arguably the most important component of any fluorescence based instrument. With that in mind, here are some important concepts that should be considered when selecting optical filters for a fluorescence based system. (more…)
Ultra-Narrowband Optical Bandpass Filters with Large Format and Improved Temperature Stability
18Sep
Sophisticated monitor and deposition methods enable multi-cavity narrowband filters that push the envelope of performance.
Hard coated ultra-narrowband optical filters made using modern plasma processes offer much improved transmission, temperature stability and out of band blocking as compared to legacy soft coatings. These filters are used in optical systems as diverse as LIDAR (light detection and ranging), Doppler shift detection of plasma velocity, laser cleanup, chemical and gas sensing, as well as for cutting-edge astronomy and instrumentation applications. (more…)Advanced Plasma Deposition Improves Ultra Narrowband Optical Filters
14Jan
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