KNIGHT OPTICAL (UK) LTD - Quality Precision Optical Components, Sub-Assemblies and Mechanics

Knight Optical offer a range of Stock N-BK7 Dome Windows, for use with Underwater Lighting. A dome is an optical window composed of two parallel curved surfaces. Domes are commonly used in defence applications and often in extreme environments such as Submersible ROV’s. The shape of the window creates a naturally strong shape that gets tougher under pressure. Using a curved dome optical surface allows for an increased beam angle, therefore allowing a greater area to be lit from one light source. For visible applications, N-BK7 with its high optical quality and uniform transmission and low absorption in the visible spectrum makes it an ideal material for underwater lighting. A tough and cost effective solution which allows for good transmission of the light source in the underwater environment will both protect the light source as well as transmitting from 300nm up to 2µm. For more information read PDF

Knight Optical can offer you Stock and Custom Fresnel Lenses, for use within Retinal Imaging in a range of materials such as PMMA Acrylic and Borosilicate. Our Fresnel Lenses consist of a flat surface with interspace concentric steps whereby each step corresponds to the surface of a conventional lenses. PMMA Acrylic is a preferred material type used for retinal imaging Fresnel lenses. The Fresnel lenses are used as part of a system where its multi-focal length provide a multiple in and out of focus image that provide a magnified image of the human eye itself. For more information view PDF data sheet....

Knight Optical’s Low GDD Ultrafast Laser Mirrors are ideal for demanding laser applications, especially where femtosecond ultrafast lasers are utilised. Our product catalogue consists of laser mirrors optimised for the fundamental and second harmonic (SHG) emissions of Ytterbium (Yb) doped lasers including diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) and fiber lasers, and therefore have a design wavelength of either 515nm or 1030nm. Their key features include: •Ion beam sputtered (IBS) coating which is compact and durable. •Reflection > 99.9% within their wavelength range of either 500-530nm or 1010-1050nm. •Available as 0° and 45° angle of incidence •Exhibit minimal group delay dispersion (GDD) to prevent pulse broadening •High laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) •Precision flatness and surface quality to minimise laser scattering All of the above are important criteria for mirrors used to form a laser resonator, making these laser mirrors ideal.

This month, Knight Optical is excited to unveil a brand-new range of Fluorescence Filter Sets. As its first product launch of the year, the announcement comes as welcome news to those working on fluorescence imaging applications, who demand premium-quality, ultra-precision Filter Sets for high-efficiency transmission. The launch follows the business’ 30th anniversary, which the global optics supplier celebrated last year, and demonstrates its dedication in continually evolving the growth of its already-comprehensive portfolio of cutting-edge, custom-made, and stock optical components. Here, the trusted brand discusses its new product offering and runs through the indispensable technicalities behind the sets.Filters and Sets to Meet Every Application’s Needs As a set of optics that are typically used for fluorescence applications within fields such as biology, materials science, chemistry, medical diagnostics, and mineralogy; for example,

As well as Knight Optical’s Low GDD Ultrafast Laser Mirrors, we can also provide broadband and wide-angle alternatives to cover more of a range of applications. Our Wide-Angle Laser Mirrors optimised for the fundamental and second harmonic (SHG) emissions of Ytterbium (Yb) doped lasers including diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) and fiber lasers, and therefore have a design wavelength of either 515nm or 1030nm. They exhibit > 99.9% reflection when used between 0 to 45°. The Broadband Laser Mirrors work from 700-900nm ideal for applications using a Ti:Sapphire laser, again demonstrating > 99.9% reflection within this wavelength range. Their key features include: •Ion beam sputtered (IBS) coating which is compact and durable. •Reflection > 99.9% within their design wavelength range. •Broadband laser mirrors work at 45° •Exhibit minimal group delay dispersion (GDD) to prevent pulse broadening •High laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) •Precision flatness and surface quality to

Knight Optical’s Laser Optics range include Thin Film Polarisers which separate the s- and p-polarised light with negligible absorbance within the coating for low loss performance. The laser thin film polarisers are optimised for 515nm and 1030nm design wavelengths, ideal for Ytterbium (Yb) doped lasers including diode-pumped solid-state lasers (DPSSL) and fiber lasers, as well as Nd:YAG lasers emitting at 1064nm. Currently, we stock thin film polarisers which work at either 45° or at Brewster angle (55.4°), both of which have been coated using ion beam sputtered (IBS) technology, creating a compact and durable coating, with a LIDT suited for ultrafast laser applications. Often used within a laser resonator to separate the different polarisation states and can be used as an alternative to polarising beamsplitter cubes or Glan-type polarising prisms. The following are the tolerances for the laser polarisers:

Sapphire (Al2O3) is one of the hardest minerals and optical materials available for use in the range from UV up to 5µm. Sapphire is birefringent and if its use is for critical optical application then the crystal might have to be cut along the zero degree plane, or C-Cut. Random cut is usually cut along a plane that is 60° off-axis as the growth in this direction is the easiest to grow. Random cut is anything that is not the C-Cut angle. Sapphire can fluoresce depending upon the concentration of other minerals within the lattice, for example Iron (Fe) or Chromium (Cr). Clear Sapphire might fluoresce orange when illuminated by UV light if impurities are in the crystal. Fluorescent free Sapphire has to be grown from 'pure' feedstock and seed and in an environment that cannot place impurities into the lattice. Click PDF link to read more …...

Sapphire (Al2O3) is one of the hardest minerals and optical materials available for use in the range from UV up to 5µm. Sapphire is birefringent and if its use is for critical optical application then the crystal might have to be cut along the zero degree plane, or C-Cut. Random cut is usually cut along a plane that is 60° off-axis as the growth in this direction is the easiest to grow. Random cut is anything that is not the C-Cut angle. Sapphire can fluoresce depending upon the concentration of other minerals within the lattice, for example Iron (Fe) or Chromium (Cr). Clear Sapphire might fluoresce orange when illuminated by UV light if impurities are in the crystal. Fluorescent free Sapphire has to be grown from 'pure' feedstock and seed and in an environment that cannot place impurities into the lattice. READ MORE ... CLICK LINK

Knight Optical offers a range of precision optical components for use in IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) applications. The most common usage of IPL systems are typically used as photo epilators.Custom Ceramic Reflectors are a key component for this application. The xenon flash lamp which are typically used emit light in 360 degrees. However utilising ceramic reflectors which are light reflectors with a U channel means that light which would normally be wasted i.e. shining backwards is now refocused down into the filters and light guides. Knight Optical provides ceramic reflectors which are typically moulded from alumina. This choice of material is down to its ability to withstand thermal stresses and high reflectivity values. For more information read PDF

Knight Optical can offer dichroic bandblocking filters for use in Fluorescence Microscopy. We supply a range of dichroic bandblocking filters for a range of applications. All individually QA checked and metrology tested for quality to ensure parts meet customer specification. Supplied in a range of sizes and shapes with custom coatings tailored to meet your individual applications. Knight Optical supply precision optical components to customers in fluorescence microscopy. Dichroic bandblocking filters are used to block a specific wavelength band and transmit the rest. Our Dichroic bandblocking filters are usually made for bands between 300-1200nm. Our dichroic filters are usually specced for a 0° AOI. Use at a 45° results in a CWL shift of around 35-50nm. They are used as beamsplitters in fluorescence microscopy to transmitting For more information read PDF….