Optical polishing of high-precision IR components is a specialized process that ensures smooth surfaces with superior finish and minimal surface irregularities and defects.
Lattice Materials is equipped to polish optical components such as flats, windows, prisms, and lenses and perform advanced metrology on polished silicon and germanium parts.
From windows and lenses to mirrors, we can achieve exceptional levels of flatness, surface roughness, and surface quality.
We offer high-quality, customized polishing for precision optics and IR components. Our polishing processes are designed to meet each customer’s unique requirements and are primarily driven by the surface parameters of various substrate materials and their unique properties.
Custom requirements: We start by noting specific needs, such as surface finish, flatness, roughness, and tolerances.
Tailored process: We tailor the polishing process after considering various factors, such as:
Advanced polishing techniques: We use specialized techniques and equipment, including proprietary abrasive particles or abrasive slurries, polishing pads, and CNC polishing machines. These techniques and equipment combined with skilled technicians with years of experience in tailored optical polishing enable us to guarantee an optimized process with complete control over critical polishing parameters such as the speed, pressure and time required for the perfect optical surface finish.
Quality control: At Lattice Materials, we have developed strict quality control measures, including in-process inspections, metrology tools, and rigorous testing methods to verify the performance and dimensional accuracy of each workpiece.
We ensure that the final product meets the specific needs and requirements of each individual customer, enabling them to achieve their desired outcomes in their respective fields.
Diameter: Larger than 14”
Scratch/Dig: Better than 20/10
Surface Roughness: Better than 10 Angstroms RMS
Flatness: Better than 1/10th Wave
Diameter: Larger than 8”
Scratch/Dig: Better than 40/20
Surface Roughness: Better than 3 Angstroms RMS
Flatness: Better than 1/4 Wave
*All specifications are dependent on part geometry.
Our skilled technicians have years of experience in tailored optical polishing and a deep understanding of various materials and their material properties, so they can tailor the process to achieve flawless finishing without causing subsurface damage or stress to the component.
For example, they employ different techniques for polishing glass than polishing specialized optical materials such as silica or ceramics, metals such as stainless steel, or semiconductor materials such as silicon or germanium. Lattice Materials focuses solely on silicon and germanium to ensure our polishing process is seamless.
We guarantee an optimized process with complete control over critical polishing parameters such as the speed, pressure, and removal rate required for the perfect optical surface finish.
Smoothness: Optical components, such as lenses or mirrors, require an exceptionally smooth surface to minimize light scattering and achieve optimal performance. This is achieved through an intricate polishing process.
Our technicians use advanced polishing techniques to remove or minimize surface irregularities, scratches, abrasive particles, and imperfections to achieve the desired level of smoothness.
Flatness: When the component’s surface is as flat as possible, it helps prevent distortions in the transmission or reflection of light rays. We use corrective polishing for the targeted removal of material from specific areas to eliminate surface irregularities and ensure uniformity across the entire surface.
Mono or Polycrystalline
Custom shapes less than 0.5″ (12.7 mm) up to 17.5″ (450 mm)
Polished to specifications better than 20/10 scratch/dig, 1/10th wave flatness and down to 10 Å RMS
Customized thin film coatings (AR, DLC, and others) are also obtainable
*All specifications are dependent on part geometry.
Do you have a custom requirement for optical polishing of substrates such as silicon or germanium parts? Send us your requirements, and our technical sales representatives will analyze what is needed to deliver your finished components within your desired lead time.
