GREAT ARTICLE!
Share this article to gain insights from your connections!
Off-axis parabolic mirrors (OAPs) are a widely used type of aspherical mirror, known for their ability to converge and collimate light beams efficiently. These mirrors are designed by extracting a portion of a parent paraboloid, resulting in unique optical properties. Unlike traditional lenses, off-axis parabolic mirrors leverage reflection, eliminating chromatic aberration and providing superior beam manipulation.
Precision Beam Control
The paraboloidal surface of OAPs ensures perfect correction of spherical aberration, enabling precise convergence and collimation of light. The off-axis design separates the focus from the optical axis, allowing these mirrors to simultaneously perform beam steering while converging or collimating light.
Chromatic Aberration-Free
Unlike refracting optics, OAPs do not rely on material dispersion, making them ideal for applications requiring high optical precision across a broad spectrum of wavelengths.
Clear Aperture
The clear aperture represents the maximum diameter of a parallel light beam that the mirror can handle. It is typically circular, ensuring efficient optical performance.
Focal Length
Focal length defines the distance between the mirror surface and its focal point:
– Parent Focal Length: Distance from the paraboloid vertex to the focus, independent of the off-axis distance.
– Effective Focal Length (EFL): Distance between the focus and the main reflected beam, influenced by the parent focal length and off-axis displacement.
Off-Axis Distance and Angle
The off-axis configuration is defined by:
– Off-Axis Angle: The reflection angle of the main beam, typically between 0° and 90°.
– Off-Axis Distance: The lateral distance between the paraboloid’s symmetry axis and the main ray.
Customization Options
OAP mirrors can be tailored with surface shape accuracy, reflectivity, surface finish, and additional features such as holes or mounting mechanisms based on user requirements.
Off-axis parabolic mirrors are indispensable in fields such as:
Their unparalleled optical precision and versatility make them essential components in advanced optical systems. By understanding their core parameters and coating options, users can effectively integrate OAPs into their applications for optimal performance.
OAP mirrors have a complex design that requires careful attention to detail and advanced knowledge for successful creation. Only skilled engineers can design a specific OAP mirror that meets the necessary specifications and is suitable for its intended application. This section includes a schematic of the OAP mirror.
The beam’s aperture can be either circular or square and is aligned with the Z axis. Depending on the angle, the size of the aperture on the optical surface may look elliptical or rectangular.
For optics with large off-axis angles or apertures, a non-wedge design is often more affordable. This design allows you to set a tilt angle in relation to the main Z axis.
You can make off-axis parabolic mirrors (OAP mirrors) from different materials, like metals (using single-point diamond turning), glass, and special ceramics such as SiC. The material you choose will greatly affect both the cost and precision of the mirrors.
For more information, please visit the in-depth article. ” OAP Mirror “
The following is a physical introduction of the off-axis parabolic mirror:
Large aperture off-axis parabolic Mirror 1
Large aperture off-axis parabolic mirror 2
At Avantier Inc., we specialize in producing custom high-performance Off-Axis Parabolic (OAP) Mirrors for a variety of applications. We offer a wide range of coating options, including protected gold, protected silver, and protected aluminum. For visible and infrared applications, protected aluminum is typically a recommended choice.
We can provide SM-threaded, unthreaded, or post-mountable adapters for any in-stock OAP mirror. If you are interested in purchasing stock Off-Axis Parabolic Mirrors, please visit our Stock – Off-Axis Parabolic Mirrors page
Our OAP mirrors are diamond-turned to ensure a smooth surface and minimize surface roughness. Contact us (https://avantierinc.com/contact/) today to discuss a custom order for an optical mirror tailored to your desired focal length and specifications.
Share this article to gain insights from your connections!