Inrad Optics

Overview

 

Inrad Optics fabricates and finishes all optical components and devices in our own facilities, ensuring complete traceability and assured quality. To support our commitment to in-house manufacturing, we operate a world-class crystal growth facility, precision machining capabilities and state-of-the-art metrology systems. We also offer optical design optimization to ensure that our customers’ design concepts can be manufactured and assembled cost effectively.

 

 

 

 

 

Advanced Manufacturing Systems

Advanced Manufacturing Systems

Our vertically integrated manufacturing operations include a variety of:

  • Crystal Growth. We grow our own optical crystals using proprietary solution and high-temperature processes. All crystal growth takes place in our Northvale, NJ facility.
     
  • Machining. Our precision CNC machining operations focus on optical substrates and their mounting structures. We machine both crystals and metals in-house. Our metals facility focuses on beryllium and AlBeMet materials and operates at least two orders of magnitude below regulatory reporting thresholds for beryllium machining operations. Our CNC machining capabilities include:
    • Five- and six-axis vertical machining centers with
      80 x 40 x 48-inch work envelopes
    • Turning to 18” diameter
    • Ordinary tolerances down to +/- 0.0001 inch
    • Thermal stabilization chambers from cryogenic temperatures to 1450ºF
    • ITAR and DFARS control
  • Diamond Turning. Inrad Optics has both flycutting and turning capabilities. Figure accuracy depends on a number of factors beyond machine capability, including component geometry, tooling design, cutting tool specifications and substrate material. With that caveat in mind, our general as-turned figure accuracy is:
—Flycutting.
  • Up to 26" length of cut.
  • Approximately 1/8 wave P-V.
  • 30-50 Angstrom RMS surface finish in bare aluminum.
  • 60-80 Angstrom RMS surface finish in electroless nickel.
  • 30-50 Angstrom RMS surface finish in crystalline material.
  • Less than 15 arc-seconds simple and compound angularity.
  • Approximately 30 millionths mechanical tolerance between cut surfaces and multiple datums.
 —Turning.
  • Up to 40” diameter on-axis components.
  • Complex off-axis elements within a 40” swing.
  • Spherical & aspheric elements to ~1/8 wave P-V.
  • 30-50 Angstrom RMS surface finish in bare Aluminum.
  • 60-80 Angstrom RMS surface finish in electro less nickel.
  • 30-50 Angstrom RMS surface finish in crystalline material.
  • Approximately 30 millionths mechanical tolerances between cut surfaces and multiple datums.
  • 200-plus pound spindle payload capacity.

—Proprietary Cutting Tool Design and Tool Inspection  techniques optimize finishes while minimizing tool-induced stresses and sub-surface damage.

—In-house Tooling and Fixturing minimizes NRE & NRT.
  • Polishing. We offer a broad range of grinding, lapping, and polishing capabilities in both automated and manual processes. Component stability is assured by iterative in-process thermal cycling excursions that range from cryogenic to high temperatures.
—Grinding and Lapping.
  • Double-sided planetary grinding enhances productivity for co-planarity sensitive components.
  • Multiple large single-sided grinding and lapping machines accommodate optics to 1 meter in diameter.
  • Alignment and mounting surfaces may be lapped to less than 1/4 wave flatness and co-planarity for distortion-free assemblies.
  • Angularity between reference surfaces is less than 15 arc-seconds. All materials from our reference list may be ground and lapped in-house.
 —Polishing.
  • Continuous polishing machines enhance productivity for highly competitive costs.
  • Large single-spindle machines accommodate optics to 1 meter in diameter.
  • Nickel-plated component materials, bare beryllium and stainless steel can be optically polished in-house.
  • Options to combine diamond turning operations and post-polishing optimize productivity and minimize cost.
  • Plano and aspheric surfaces to less than 1/20 wave P-V, and less than 20 Angstroms RMS surface finish for low scatter finishing.
  • Plano elements may achieve less than 1 micro-radian slope error. Powered elements achieve less than 2 micro-radian slope error.
  • Plating. Our in-house wet process capabilities minimize risk and cycle times compared to third-party plating services. We offer the following plating services as part of our vertically-integrated manufacturing operation:

—Proprietary Electroless Nickel Plating processes are MIL-C-48497 compliant and provide:

  • Defect-free surfaces ideal for diamond turning and polishing.
  • A cost-effective alternative to bare aluminum optics, particularly when coupled with an electrolytic gold optical overcoat.
  • Selective surface and differential thickness to optimzie component stability and support a wide range of thermal operating environments.
  • Tight control of inherent tensile and compressive forces for ultra-critical stability requirements.
  • Substrate flexibility, accommodating beryllium, AlBeMet, SiC, aluminum, stainless steel and titanium alloys.

—Electrolytic Gold processes comply with MIL-DTL-5541 and offer:

  • Excellent environmental durability.
  • Ultra-pure optical gold for high reflectivity across a broad spectrum.
  • Substrate flexibility, accommodating any nickel plated or bare copper surface.
  • Easy masking for selective surface application.
  • A cost-effective alternative to evaporative overcoats.

—Specialty Chemical Processes offer:

  • MIL-SPEC compliant chromic conversion.
  • Substrate flexibility, including passivation of non-optical surfaces on beryllium, AlBeMet and aluminum.
  • Chemical electro etching of alphanumeric text and symbols.
  • Support for MIL-SPEC polymer-based primers and topcoats.
  • MIL-SPEC legend inks, dyes and paints.
  • Thermal Processes. We offer tightly controlled and calibrated thermal treatments to maximize each component’s optical stability across wide temperature ranges. These processes include:
    • Cryogenic treatments to 1450F.
    • Thermal excursions within inert atmospheres.
    • Controlled ramp rates and dwell times.
    • Repetitive cycle programming.

Optical Design Optimization

Optical Design Optimization

 Building on our hands-on manufacturing experience, we can help you optimize optical and opto-mechanical designs for cost reduction, ease of assembly and superior system performance. Our engineering and operations teams have more than 200 years of combined experience in material selection, substrate fabrication technologies, and optical component processing. Our design optimization services include:

  • Material Selection. We can help you select most appropriate base material for your application.
  • Surface Treatment Guidance. Selecting the right coating for finished optics is a complex process that needs to account for wavelength operating ranges, laser damage thresholds, environmental exposures and mechanical loads. We routinely help our customers pick the best plating process, thin-film coating or other surface treatment for the job at hand.
  • Geometry Refinement. We help define part geometries that can minimize weight and assembly distortion of the optical component when mounted into its structure. Geometry refinement can also help reduce the machining time and tooling required to finish the optical blank.
  • Performance Evaluation. We can help determine component performance over thermal and environmental conditions, accounting for the affects of component geometry, latent mechanical stresses and coating application.
  • Packaging Design. We can help design finished component packaging for cost-effective protection of optics during transport. Packaging options range from one-off specialty cases to mass packaging with reusable materials.
  • Testing. We offer testing services, including accelerated aging, to support design development and predict product lifecycles.

Assured Quality

Assured Quality

To deliver zero-defect product, Inrad Optics operates under a comprehensive quality system that includes:

  • State-of-the-art Metrology. We employ a wide variety of metrology techniques to ensure that all optical properties and dimensions are within specification. For machined components, we offer die penetrant and radiographic inspection.
  • Strict Adherence to Technical Requirements. All customer specifications are carefully analyzed and clarified prior to commencement of production. Most of our production additionally complies with latest-revision DOD and ASTM specifications.
  • Tracking and Traceability. Our ERP system allows us to electronically track and document every product on its journey through the manufacturing life cycle–from initial order and design review to manufacturing, quality assurance and shipping. The system offers shop-floor access to detailed customer specifications along with relevant DOD and ASTM requirements. The system also provides our customers with an accurate, real-time picture of their work status.

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© Inrad Optics | 181 Legrand Avenue | Northvale, NJ 07647 | Tel: 201-767-1910 | Fax: 201-767-9644 | Contact Us | Investor Relations