CAPABILITIES
Optical Engineering, Precision Fabrication, and Measurement
Mosaic Optoelectronics approaches specialized optical components as a connected process: understand the requirement, develop a practical optical solution, manufacture the component, and verify the result.
A CONNECTED PROCESS
Design, Build, and Verify
Optical performance is closely tied to material selection, geometry, orientation, fabrication, assembly, and measurement. Treating these activities together helps reduce the gap between an optical concept and a practical manufactured component.
DEFINE
Understand the Optical Requirement
We begin with the imaging problem, optical function, system geometry, material requirements, wavelength, and mechanical constraints.
BUILD
Manufacture the Component
Material preparation, shaping, polishing, orientation, assembly, and handling are considered according to the needs of the optic.
VERIFY
Measure the Result
Appropriate dimensional and optical measurements provide feedback during fabrication and help confirm the finished component.
OPTICAL ENGINEERING
Start With the Imaging System
Custom optical work is most effective when the component is developed around the actual optical problem rather than treated as an isolated piece of hardware.
Relevant inputs can include sensor characteristics, wavelength, polarization, beam geometry, optical spacing, required aperture, image artifacts, environmental constraints, and the mechanical envelope.
From those requirements, material, geometry, orientation, element sequence, and a practical manufacturing approach can be evaluated together.
ENGINEERING INPUTS
- Required optical function
- Sensor and imaging-system information
- Operating wavelength or spectral range
- Polarization requirements
- Optical-path and aperture constraints
- Component dimensions and mechanical envelope
- Existing drawings or sample components
MATERIAL AND GEOMETRY
Optical Function and Manufacturability Must Agree
A theoretically useful optical material or geometry is only valuable if it can also be fabricated, handled, measured, assembled, and integrated reliably.
Material Selection
Optical properties, birefringence, wavelength behavior, mechanical characteristics, and processing requirements can all influence the choice of material.
Geometry and Orientation
Thickness, aperture, external dimensions, crystal-axis orientation, element rotation, and optical-path constraints can define the finished component.
Design for Manufacture
Optical requirements are considered alongside practical fabrication, measurement, handling, and assembly considerations.
PRECISION OPTICAL FABRICATION
Turning Specialized Materials Into Functional Optics
Optical fabrication requires control of geometry and surface condition while accounting for the behavior of the material being processed.
Crystal materials such as quartz and lithium niobate can introduce additional considerations involving orientation, handling, edge condition, surface preparation, thickness, and wedge.
The exact manufacturing sequence depends on the component geometry, optical requirements, material, and quantity.
FABRICATION CONSIDERATIONS
- Material preparation
- Cutting and shaping
- Thickness control
- Wedge and parallelism
- Surface preparation
- Optical polishing
- Edge condition and handling
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
Progressively Refine the Component
Precision optical manufacturing typically develops the component in stages, with measurement used between steps to guide the process toward the required geometry and surface condition.
01
Prepare
Confirm material, orientation, starting geometry, and the manufacturing approach.
02
Shape
Develop the component dimensions and geometry while preserving appropriate process allowance.
03
Finish
Refine optical surfaces and geometry toward the required surface condition and dimensional result.
04
Verify
Measure relevant dimensions and optical characteristics before the component moves to assembly or final inspection.
OPTICAL METROLOGY
Measurement as Part of Manufacturing
Measurement provides feedback during fabrication and helps determine whether the manufacturing process is moving toward the required result.
Depending on the optic, relevant measurements can include dimensions, thickness, wedge, surface condition, optical flatness, transmitted wavefront, orientation, or other application-specific characteristics.
Interferometric methods can be used where appropriate to evaluate optical surfaces or wavefront behavior with high sensitivity.
Interferometer, fringe display, measurement fixture, or optical inspection photograph.
MEASUREMENT AREAS
Verify What Matters to the Optical Function
Not every component requires the same inspection method. Measurement should be selected according to the characteristics that actually influence optical performance and system integration.
Dimensions
External geometry, thickness, aperture, and other physical characteristics can be verified during fabrication.
Surface Condition
Optical surfaces can be inspected for condition, quality, and manufacturing defects appropriate to the application.
Optical Geometry
Flatness, wedge, parallelism, orientation, or related characteristics may be evaluated depending on component requirements.
Assembly Verification
Multi-element assemblies can be checked for element order, orientation, seating, geometry, cleanliness, and other relevant characteristics.
DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION
Prototype Work Can Inform the Manufacturing Process
Custom optical components often benefit from an initial development phase where optical behavior, geometry, fabrication methods, and measurement approaches can be evaluated before repeat production.
Evaluate
Review the optical requirement, available design information, material, geometry, and anticipated manufacturing challenges.
Prototype
Produce components or assemblies that allow the optical approach and manufacturing process to be evaluated.
Refine
Use manufacturing and measurement results to improve the process for subsequent components or repeat production.
CAPABILITIES IN PRACTICE
Supporting Specialized Optical Products
Engineering, fabrication, and measurement support the development of the product families at the center of Mosaic Optoelectronics.
Optical Anti-Aliasing Filters
Birefringent filter components and multi-element configurations developed around sensor sampling requirements.
Explore OLPF Solutions →Polarization Optics
Polarization-control components developed around wavelength, retardance, orientation, and optical-system requirements.
Explore Polarization Optics →Crystal Optics
Precision crystal components where material, orientation, geometry, and optical finish define performance.
Explore Crystal Optics →Custom Optical Assemblies
Integrated optical solutions where several components, orientations, or optical functions must work together.
Explore Custom Assemblies →STARTING A PROJECT
Bring the Optical Problem, Not Just a Finished Drawing
A complete production drawing is useful when available, but it is not always required to begin a technical discussion.
Existing components, sketches, imaging examples, sensor information, performance requirements, optical constraints, or descriptions of the problem can all help define the next step.
USEFUL INFORMATION
- What the optical component needs to accomplish
- Existing drawings, CAD, or sample components
- Sensor and imaging-system information
- Operating wavelength
- Material requirements, if known
- Component dimensions and available space
- Relevant optical or mechanical tolerances
- Prototype and anticipated quantity requirements
SPECIALIZED OPTICAL MANUFACTURING
Have an Optical Requirement That Does Not Fit a Standard Part?
Share the imaging problem, optical requirements, geometry, materials, or existing component information. We can help evaluate a practical path from requirement to manufactured optic.