Optical Surfaces Ltd. has received an order from the Institute of Plasma Physics & Lasers at the Hellenic Mediterranean University (Rethymnon, Crete) for two high quality off-axis parabolic mirrors that will be key focusing elements for their ‘Zeus’ 45 TW ultrashort laser pulse system.
The Institute of Plasma Physics & Lasers (IPPL) is internationally renowned for its cutting-edge research in areas including laser matter / plasma interactions, pulsed power generated plasmas and modelling / simulation of these problems. IPPL is one of the access points of the National Research Infrastructure “ELI – LASERLAB Europe Synergy, and the leader of the “Fundamental Science Programme” of the ESFRI research infrastructure – HiPER.
Head of the IPPL Lab – Professor Michael Tatarakis said “These new 76.2mm, hard dielectric coated mirrors are to replace a damaged mirror that Optical Surfaces made for us back in 2015. The damage is due to the natural impact of repeated highly energetic pulses (10¹⁸-10¹⁹ W/cm ²) and the inevitable coating deterioration after extended use under such conditions. Like us, many researchers across the plasma physics community have great confidence and trust that Optical Surfaces have a good understanding of our needs and can translate this into reliably producing diffraction-limited optics to help us extend the frontiers of our fundamental research.”
Professor Tatarakis added “The intended application for these two new off-axis parabolic mirrors (1 for immediate use and one as a spare) will be to …………………
Benefiting from a highly skilled team of engineers and craftsmen, and a uniquely stable manufacturing environment, over the last 60 years – Optical Surfaces has established itself as a world leading producer of high precision off-axis parabolic mirrors. The company can routinely produce OAP mirrors with surface accuracy to lambda/20 (peak-to-valley) depending upon off-axis angles. Using proprietary polishing techniques Optical Surfaces can, depending on the surface accuracy required, achieve the natural limit to the off-axis angle of around 25-30 degrees and surface micro-roughness of less than 1 nm. A range of coatings is available for standard and custom components from metallic with or without protective overcoat to multilayer dielectrics and ultra-hard coatings.
Unlike standard parabolic mirrors, off-axis parabolic mirrors direct and focus incident collimated light at a specific angle, allowing unrestricted access to the focal point as well as reducing the size and minimising the weight of an optical design.
To learn more about the research interests and facilities at the Institute of Plasma Physics & Lasers please visit https://ippl.hmu.gr/en/home-en/.
For further information on high precision off-axis parabolic mirrors please visit https://www.optisurf.com/index.php/products/off-axis-paraboloids/ or contact Optical Surfaces Ltd on +44-208-668-6126 / [email protected].
