Optical Prism Manufacture
Kingsview Optical has been manufacturing custom optical prisms since 1996. During that time has developed a reputation for quality and reliability in the field of optical component manufacture here in the UK. We can manufacture optical prims for a large range of requirements from 0.8mm diameter micro prims up to 100mm periscope prisms.
If you need custom optical designs tailor made to your requirements that can be offered. We also can manufacture optical components such as lenses, mirrors, filter and windows.
Optical Prism Types
| Right angle prisms | Dove Prisms | Porro prisms | Roof Prisms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polarizing prisms | Penta prisms | Risley prisms | Optical wedges |
Micro prisms
Optical Prism Standard Tolerances
| Size: 0.8mm to 100mm |
| Dimension Tolerance: ±0.1mm |
| Flatness: λ/4@633nm |
| Angular: ± 3′ |
| Irregularity: λ/4 |
| Surface Quality (Scratch/Dig): 60/40 |
| Coating: Broadband AR, V coat, Mgf2, mirrors |
| Finishing: Edge black painted, steps, bevels etc |
| Materials: Schott, Ohara, CDGM, Fused Silica |
Polishing Capability
Twin Lap Polishing
Twin lap polishing consist of a top and bottom polishing plate. It is used when you are looking to polish flat and parallel optical components. Due to the nature of the method it can make exceptionally parallel parts achieving tolerances of less than 5 arc seconds.
Open face lapping
We have 4x 1m open face laps 2 smoothers and 2 polishers. When polishing angled faces we generally use the open face lap. Optical prisms are placed in angle jigs at the angle that is required.
“A Frame” Pitch Polishing
A frame conventional pitch polishing is used when the highest accuracy is required. Using pitch you can achieve the highest surface figures but it is more difficult and time consuming than the open face lap.
CNC profiling
Cementing of polarizing prisms for augmented reality light engine
CNC machining and profiling
Through the use of a CNC it is also possible to machine complex shapes of prisms.
Stepped Prisms – Stepped prims can really improve the mounting of your prims into metalwork
Bevels/chamfers – It is possible to program precision bevels around prims
Drilled holes – It is also possible to drill holes into components which some customers have needed
Black painted edges – Some systems benefit from having prism edges painted black to improve stay light control
Optical Assembly and Cementing
The prims can be assembled in housings in our clean room assembly areas. We can also cement prims if your requirement needs it. Prisms such as risley prims pairs can be cemented highly accurately using autocollimators. It is also possible to cement polarizing prism pairs with dielectric coating or polarizing plastic film dependent on your requirements The standard optical adhesives we use are from Norland or NTT but others can be requested.
Optical Prism Coating Options
We can offer a range of optical coating options based on your application. With onsite optical coating we have more control meaning cheaper costs and quicker deliveries.
Mirror Coating – Can deposit a number of different metals or dielectrics depending on your requirement
Wide angle broadband AR coating – When your prisms need to work over extended angles of incidence
Broadband Antireflective (BBAR) – Multilayer coating typical range of 425-650nm. Can be made wider and optimised to suit.
Polarizing coating – Can deposit polarizing coating dependent on your angle of incidence and wavelength.
Single Layer Magnesium Fluoride (MgF2) – Standard coating works over a large range of angles of incidence
Prism mirror coating
Optical Prism Metrology
When manufacturing precision optical components it is important to have the right metrology equipment.
- 4″ Zygo interferometer with MX software
For measuring surface flatness and surface form we have a 4″ Zygo interferometer with the latest MX software. If you require it is also possible to supply surface reports on your optics that we manufacture.
- Perkin Elmer Spectrophotometer
To measure the performance of our optical coatings we use a lambda spectrophotometer. The wavelength range is from 200-3000nm. If you need coating witness samples with the jobs this can be provided at cost.
- Autocollimator with OEG software
Measuring angles of prisms we use auto collimators. When needing the highest precision we use an auto collimator with OEG software as we can measure angles extremely accurately.
Why choose us?
At Kingsview Optical we really are a one stop solution for optical prism manufacture in the UK. We supply a large range of optical components across industries including industrial, defence and augmented reality. Kingsview is also fully audited to ISO 9001.
Our speciality is manufacturing custom optics in the quickest turnarounds. We are also happy to offer advice on your projects and give you some ideas of potential solutions. We can also look at your prism tolerances and give you an idea of what is possible to achieve.
So please get in touch if you have any questions or enquiries as we would be happy to offer quotes. If you would like to visit our facility we would be more than happy to show you around. This will give you a better idea of what we can do for you.
