As a trusted supplier of custom optics, we understand the unique challenges faced by the military/defense and sensing sector . From enhancing target acquisition to enabling surveillance in challenging environments, our opticals components are made to meet the most demanding requirements. Our capabilities include producing high-performing lenses for LIDAR based sensing and tracking systems. We provide Germanium, IR fused silica and other IR material components used in night vision and low light detection platforms. Esco’s years of experience with primary and secondary defense contrac ..read more

In the defense sector, optics must withstand extreme conditions including harsh climates, intense vibrations, and rigorous handling. Also, defense optics must extend beyond the boundaries of the visible spectrum into the infrared (IR), enabling military personnel to navigate their surroundings effectively in low-light or nighttime conditions. Some key applications of infrared optics in the military include: Night Vision Devices, Target Acquisition and Tracking, Guidance Systems for Munitions, Camouflage Detection, Pilot Vision in Low Visibility, Perimeter Security, Surveillance and Reconnaiss ..read more

Precision flatness refers to the degree of variation across a plano surface, and it is a critical aspect in the production of optical components where even slight deviations can lead to performance issues. Applications such as semiconductor wafer manufacturing, optical systems, and precision machining demand surfaces with exceptional surface flatness to ensure the desired functionality and performance of the final product.   What defines flatness?   Flatness is not determined by the degree of conformity between a part and its specified dimensions; rather, it is a characteri ..read more

Esco Optics, a manufacturer of custom and catalog optics in Oak Ridge, NJ, will be showcasing their capabilities at SPIE Photonics West 2024. Esco's sales engineers and business development team will be in Hall F, Booth #4229, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. For over 65 years, Esco has provided precision optics to the aerospace, automotive, biomedical, industrial manufacturing, military/defense, semiconductor, universities, and more. Esco provides small and large optics, from precision flat windows and mirrors to lenses and aspheres, pr ..read more

Today’s topic is prototypes versus production and associated cost implications. This is something I have dealt with my entire career, and I'm going to do my best to explain processes and what cost drivers exist when processing low-quantity prototypes versus full production runs.   Whether your optics are 0.5" or 22.0", making one of anything takes skill and time. I know everyone wants their packages the next day, just like Amazon. Unfortunately, precision optics manufacturing isn't at that speed yet. I can say that the shop at Esco can be nimble in production depending on the request ..read more

Learn more from a optical manufacturers stand-point on the optics and photonics industry trends and path forward. Special thank you to Laser Focus World for allowing us to contribute to their publication.  ..read more

Laser debris shields are protective windows used during the process of laser welding and cutting to prevent or manage the generation of spatter and debris. Laser welding is a high-precision welding technique that uses a focused laser beam to join metals or thermoplastics. However, the intense heat and energy involved in laser welding can lead to weld spatter, debris, and contamination which can affect laser performance. Debris and spatter can scatter the laser beam, disrupting the welding process and potentially damaging the laser optics or sensors.  Shields are designed to manage or redi ..read more

Recently, I was interacting with a customer regarding a pressure window RFQ and after my first set of questions regarding the design they asked, “how does this affect the quote?” My response was, “what is it you are trying to do, because you have high-end polishing specs on an expensive material?” To which they responded, “oh, it doesn't have to be that glass and the polishing specs can be relaxed.” Now, there's a certain degree of stress, (pun intended) with designing pressure windows; trust me, no one wants to see a window fail. So, this conversation led to our marketing guy to push me to wr ..read more

LiDAR is an acronym for Light Detection and Ranging. In LiDAR, near-infrared light is transmitted from a source and reflected from objects into a scene to create a 3D map of the environment. While light travels at 300,000 km per second, measuring the time it takes for beams to return after hitting the object provides information on the environment in which the LiDAR is operating. Based on the information from the receiver, a LiDAR system creates a point cloud that looks like a shadow and reflects the object’s shape and size.  While the main function of LiDAR is to measure t ..read more

We get this question frequently, and we have a consistent response each time.  What are you attempting to accomplish?  Depending upon your application, our recommended solution could be a certain material or a thin-film coating.  When dealing with the infrared region, it is important to know this part of the electromagnetic spectrum breaks down into further sub-sections.   NIR Near-infrared  0.75–1.4μm  SWIR Short-wave infrared  1.4–3μm  MWIR Mid-wave infrared  3–8μm  LWIR Long-wave infrared  8-15μm  ..read more