Optical Manufacturing

Aspheric Manufacturing

Manufacturing in US and Singapore
Stock and Custom, from Design and Prototype to Volume Production
Build-to-Print Capabilities
Over 700 Aspheric Lens Designs Available for Immediate Delivery
MRF Fine Finishing Consistently Exceeding λ/40 Surface Accuracy

Edmund Optics^® is a recognized leader in aspheric lens manufacturing, with extensive experience producing aspheric lenses for a broad variety of applications ranging from life science systems such as ophthalmic instruments and surgical devices, to industrial laser equipment, to metrology and analytical instruments, to defense applications. Edmund Optics^®’ high volume aspheric lens manufacturing cell operates 24 hours a day to produce thousands of precision aspheric lenses per month. Our manufacturing cells feature state-of-the-art production and metrology equipment, which complements our expert knowledge in aspheric lens design and manufacturing. Whether your application calls for a stock component from our vast inventory, a build-to-print lens, or a fully customized design effort, our expert optical design and manufacturing engineers can develop solutions to meet your needs. Contact us today to speak with an expert or receive an expedited quote.

The Making of an Aspheric Lens

Edmund Optics^® manufacturers millions of optics every year throughout our four global facilities. Join us as we take you through the creation of an aspheric lens, from molding to grinding to polishing, centering, and metrology.

Capabilities

Edmund Optics^® is a premier manufacturer of aspheric lenses. We are experienced in achieving precision quality with a wide variety of Schott, Ohara, and CDGM glass types as well as fused silica and a variety of crystalline materials. Our extensive manufacturing capabilities include CNC polishing and magneto-rheological (MRF) finishing, all supported by world-class metrology that includes surface profilometry and aspheric stitching interferometry (ASI). More complicated freeform lenses with complex geometries can also be manufactured upon request.

Whether your needs call for just a few aspheric lenses for prototyping, a few dozen for pre-production, or a large volume for full production, Edmund Optics^® wants to ensure your project is successful.

Aspheric Manufacturing Capabilities

Commercial

Precision

High Precision / Laser Grade

Diameter

10 – 200mm

Diameter Tolerance

+0/-0.100mm

+0/-0.025mm

+0/-0.010mm

Asphere Figure Error (P - V) @ 633nm

5λ

1λ

λ/10

Vertex Radius (Asphere)

±0.5%

±0.1%

±0.05%

Peak Slope Error

1μm/mm per 1mm window

0.35μm/mm per 1mm window

0.15μm/mm per 1mm window

Centering (Beam Deviation)

3 arcmin

1 arcmin

0.5 arcmin

Center Thickness Tolerance

±0.100mm

±0.050mm

±0.010mm

Surface Quality (Scratch Dig)

80–50

40–20

10–5

Aspheric Surface Metrology

Profilometry (2D)

Profilometry (3D)

Interferometry

Surface Roughness (RMS)

3nm

2nm

1nm

* 1/10th wave at 632.8nm, limited by design and/or metrology

Manufacturing Equipment

5-Axis CNC Grinding Machines
5-Axis CNC Polishing Machines
QED MRF Finishing Machines for Fine Finishing
Centering Machines

Metrology

Talysurf PGI 1240 ProfilometersProfilometers are instruments used to measure the surface topography of lenses, which provides information on curvature and irregularity.
LUPHOScan Non-Contact 3D ProfilometersProfilometers are instruments used to measure the surface topography of optics, which provides information on curvature, flatness, and irregularity
QED ASI Aspheric Stitching InterferometersStitching interferometers measure complicated surfaces or large optics by making separate interferometric measurements on overlapping sections that cover the entire component and “stitch” these subaperture measurements together.
Zygo^® NewView White Light InterferometersInterferometers are instruments used to measure small displacements, refractive index changes, and surface irregularities. They split light from a single source into two separate beams that travel different optical paths before recombining. Interference fringes are then formed, which provides information on the difference in optical path length between the two paths. Interferometers are often used to measure the surface accuracy of optics.
OptiPro UltraSurf 4X 100 Non-Contact ProfilometersProfilometers are instruments used to measure the surface topography of lenses, which provides information on curvature and irregularity.
TRIOPTICS Opticentric^® Centration Measurement MachinesCentration Measurement Machines are used to measure the misalignment between the mechanical and optical axes of lenses.
Zeiss Contura G2 CMMsCMMs, or coordinate measuring machines, are instruments used for measuring the physical dimensions of optics. They can be computer controlled or manually operated.
Olympus MX51 Microscopes Microscopes are used to determine the surface quality of optics.
Design-Specific Computer Generated Holograms (CGH)Computer Generated Holograms (CGHs) are digitally generated holographic interference patterns that are used in interferometric testing to make highly accurate measurements of aspheric surfaces.
LUPHOScan 260 HD

Related Paper | Mid-Spatial Frequency Errors of Mass-Produced Aspheres

Wilhelmus A. C. M. Messelink, Amy Frantz, Shelby D. V. Ament, and Matthew Stairiker "Mid-spatial frequency errors of mass-produced aspheres", Proc. SPIE 10829, Fifth European Seminar on Precision Optics Manufacturing, 108290D (7 August 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2318663

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Photonic & Imaging Technology

Edmund Optics article on Properly Designing and Specifying Aspheric Lenses featured on the May 2020 cover of Photonic & Imaging Technology.

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Learning Resources

Application Notes
Videos
Published Articles
Trending Topics
Webinars

Application Notes

Technical information and application examples including theoretical explanations, equations, graphical illustrations, and much more.

All About Aspheric Lenses
Read

Aspherized Achromatic Lenses
Read

Edmund Optics Preferred Glasses
Read

Need an Asphere Fast?
Read

Keys to Cost Effective Optical Design and Tolerancing
Read

Videos

Informative corporate or instructional videos ranging from simple tips to application-based demonstrations of product advantages.

Aspheric Lenses Review
Watch

Aspherized Achromatic Lens Review
Watch

Meet Jeremy Govier: Asphere Guru
Watch

Edmund Optics Global Manufacturing Facilities
Watch

Metrology at Edmund Optics: Measuring as a Key Component of Manufacturing
Watch

Published Articles

Links to technical articles appearing in industry publications authored by Edmund Optics^® or featuring contributions from Edmund Optics's engineering team and key management.

The Long and the Short of It: Techniques for Measuring Aspheres
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Design Considerations for Aspheric Lenses
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Optimizing the Design of Aspheric Lenses
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ASPHERES: Fabrication choices impact IR asphere design
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Using Aspheres To Increase Optical System Performance
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Edmund Optics Doubles Precision-Asphere Production Capacity
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Glasses roll aspheres into the mainstream
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Glass Molding Makes High-Quality Aspheres Cost Effective
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"Spatial Frequencies and Aspheric Lens Performance" by Pim Messelink and Cory Boone - Novus Light Technologies
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"Aspheres: The impact of shape factor on asphere design" by Eduardo Gonzalez - Laser Focus World
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"Understanding Aspheric Lenses" by Daniel Adams and Shelby Ament - Optik & Photonik
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"Aspheres: Still Adding Value" by Oleg Leonov and Cory Boone - Optics & Photonics News
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Selecting the Right Aspheres for Laser Applications
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Correcting Chromatic Aberration in Aspheric Lenses
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Webinars

Recorded webinars from Edmund Optics^® experts on a wide range of optics and imaging topics.

High-End Asphere Design for Manufacturability Webinar Recording
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Selecting the Right Aspheric Lenses

Edmund Optics^® has the expertise to provide stock and custom aspheric lenses. Our specialty is precision polished and precision molded aspheric lenses. Color-corrected aspheres are available for broadband applications and we offer lens options for the entire infrared spectrum. Contact us with your requirements and our expert staff of optical manufacturing engineers will work closely with you to make sure we deliver aspheric lenses that meet your system's needs within your budget constraints.

Precision Polished
Precision Molded
Color-Corrected
Infrared

TECHSPEC Precision UV Fused Silica Aspheric Lenses

Precision Polished Aspheric Lenses

Precision polished aspheric lenses are ideal for the most demanding applications. Designed to offer high numerical apertures, while creating diffraction-limited spot sizes.

Available in UV, visible, and IR grade materials
Variety of standard coating options available
Full prescription data for easy integration into OEM applications

Stock Products

How can we help meet your
budget, performance, and schedule requirements?