Astronomy & Aerospace Applications and Optical Interference Filters

Omega Optical designs and manufactures custom filters and standard prescription filters to the highest imaging quality standards for astronomers, atmospheric scientists, and aerospace instrumentation companies worldwide. Applications include both terrestrial and space-based observational instruments. We have supplied projects and programs for a wide variety of prestigious universities, observatories, government agencies, and international consortia. As instrument technologies and applications evolve, we work collaboratively with customers to develop solutions for the spectral, optical, and environmental demands that will define observational astronomy and aerospace applications in the future. 

                                                                                                 

High Spectral Performance

We provide interference passband filters with peak wavelengths located from the UV to the mid-IR and with bandwidths ranging from 0.15nm to several hundred nanometers wide. Our filters meet demanding throughput and bandshape requirements while adhering to very close tolerances on bandwidth and peak transmission wavelength. Many of our filters are designed for high attenuation of adjacent emission lines. Our coating processes assure uniformity of spectral performance over the physical area of large filters.

High Optical Performance
Our filters are made to rigorous imaging requirements. We start by polishing optical glasses to requisite flatness and wedge values prior to coating and assembly. By designing each coating for the longest free spectral range, we minimize the number of laminations that cause internal reflection and fringe patterns. After assembly, our filters are polished to achieve minimum wavefront distortion. Our Broadband Achromatic Twyman-Green interferometer enables us to evaluate transmitted wavefront at the filter’s principal wavelength. Durable anti-reflective coatings are deposited on outer surfaces to increase transmission and reduce ghosting.

Physical Attributes

Many of our astronomy filters are made in sets or as supplements to existing sets. Each filter is designed to match the others in attributes such as optical thickness, bandshape, throughput, attenuation, sensitivity to system focal ratio, sensitivity to temperature, and imaging quality. Continuum filter sets are made with precise matching of the cut-on and cut-off wavelengths of spectrally adjacent filters. Spacebased application filters are manufactured using “space-flight compatible” materials.