3rd Millennium Technology

3rd Millennium filters combine a patented, hermetically sealed construction with the superior performance of Omega's Alpha Technology deposition. The result is a filter with excellent environmental stability, high throughput and deep out-of- band attenuation. In addition, Omega maintains stock of critical long and shortpass edges, ready to assemble and ship within 2 business days. The ability to select edges, as opposed to a filter specified by center λ and bandwidth, provides much tighter control of the edge. In addition, maintaining long and shortpass edge filters (combined to produce bandpass) provides flexibility you need to create a custom filter without the high cost and long leadtimes associate with them.

Every filter whether longpass, shortpass or bandpass, ranging every 10nm from 400nm to 800nm and every 50nm from 800nm to 1100nm will ship in typically 2 business days. 
 

Patented Assembly

At the heart of each 3rd Millennium filter is the patented filter holder. Using a proprietary configuration, each filter coating within the assembly is directed towards the internal, hermetically sealed compartment. Both components are air-spaced from one another to increase transmission. In this manner, customers receive the performance benefits of surface coated filters with enhanced durability from environmental influences.

Improved Materials

All 3rd Millennium filters are fabricated using highly purified silica substrates. The inclusion of this material virtually eliminates auto-fluorescence. In addition, preparation of substrates through precision polishing results in improved wavefront distortion, specified between ½ wave to ¼ wave. The critical attention to TWD makes these filters optimal for demanding imagining applications.

Automated Manufacturing

3rd Millennium filters are produced in custom-engineered deposition equipment. From raw material to complete assemblies, the proprietary manufacturing process is optimized for efficient, cost-effective fabrication. By incorporating a load-lock system for the handling of substrates, the primary vacuum environment is continually maintained, thus allowing precise control of deposition uniformity and yield.

Think Filter First

3RD Millennium filters have superior spectral performance and longer filter life. Optimized instrument performance and a competitive market advantage will result from collaborative system engineering and consideration of optical filter properties at the very beginning of the instrument design process. 3RD Millennium provides filter technology improvements in four key areas.

• Improved Filter Performance
• Surface Coating Advantages
• High Volume Product Precision
• High Velocity and Cost Savings

Improved Filter Performance

Dielectric coatings deliver the most precise spectral performance, but are limited by protective glass layers and optical epoxies. 3RD Millennium filters use optimal dielectrics while eliminating polymeric adhesives, resulting in lower auto-fluorescence, transmitted wavefront, and improved heat tolerance. In addition filter substrates are made of highly purified fused silica (SiO2).

Auto-Fluorescence Reduced

SiO2 substrates and the elimination of epoxies greatly reduces autofluorescence, which often occurs at wavelengths identical to the signal in question. Parasitic fluorescence minimized: 10e-12 photon/photon

Transmitted Wavefront Improved

The reliance of fused silica and the elimination of polymers eliminates variable shrinkage during curing—the single largest factor in transmitted wavefront errors. Defraction limited Transmitted Wavefront Distortion; TWD range from 1/2 λ to 1/4 λ.

Transmission Improved

The removal of epoxies along with the use of highly purified SiO2 substrates typically improves transmission by 10%.

Surface Coating Advantages

The patent-pending assembly allows for dielectric spectral control, better filter stability, and improved filter life.

Environmental Stability Improved

Patent-pending assembly provides an air and moisture tight barrier for greater longevity. Durability improved per MIL-C-675C.

Filter Life Improved

Traditional filters use polymers and other sealants as an environmental barrier. Sealants degrade from exposure to light, water, and oxygen, putting coatings at risk. Increased filter life in "natural, hot, humid environment;" (3) routines of cycle I, per MIL-STD-810E test.

Heat Tolerance Improved

The elimination of polymers and the lower coefficient of expansion of SiO2 greatly improves the tolerance of filters to high radiant flux, which destroys and degrades epoxies. Tested filters maintained 165ºC for more than 2 hours.

High Volume Product Precision

Automated manufacturing results in lot-to-lot and piece-to-piece uniformity.

Yield & Uniformity Increased

Control and design of manufacturing processes leads to yield and product uniformity.

High Velocity and Cost Savings

Automated manufacturing provides JIT inventory control and associated supply chain cost savings.

Automated Manufacturing

3RD Millennium filters are produced in custom engineered coating equipment that progresses from raw material to assemblies in a shortened and highly controlled manufacturing cycle.

Lead Times Shortened

Short manufacturing cycles result in controlled inventories and shorter lead times.