Manx Precision Optics Ltd.

We're excited for our Key Account Manager and Large Optic Specialist Chris Bridle who's able to get out of the office next week to visit the lovely city of Prague and attend SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics. This biennial gathering brings together the brightest minds in photonics, featuring 650+ technical presentations across critical domains including high-power lasers, optical sensors, and quantum optics. Chris is aiming to meet existing customers and new, networking to find out about the latest news in the high-energy laser research community, find out about emerging applications and laser experiments. Attending SPIE Prague? Connect with Chris over coffee (or Czech beer!) to discuss your high-energy laser application needs or explore collaborative innovation opportunities. The future of photonics is brightening - let's shape it together, but let Chris buy you a drink in the meantime! #Photonics #LaserTechnology #SPIE2025 #NetworkingInPrague HiLASE Centre, ELI Beamlines Facility

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 🔬🌈 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 When it comes to optical system design, polarisation is a fundamental engineering parameter with critical implications for laser effectiveness. With this in mind, we developed this short overview of the physics of optical polarisation. The technical note covers: 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 Transverse electromagnetic waves exhibit complex polarisation states: ▶️ Linear Polarisation: Electric field oscillation in a fixed directional plane ▶️ Elliptical Polarisation: Phase-shifted wave components tracing elliptical trajectories ▶️ Circular Polarisation: Symmetrical 90-degree phase-shifted components 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘀 ▶️ Polarisation efficiency (P): Quantifies transmission selectivity ▶️ Extinction ratio: Characterizes unwanted polarisation state suppression ▶️ Wavelength-dependent performance 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 Dichroic polarisers, dielectric polarisers, beam-splitter cubes, retarders and waveplates: what are the different roles these components play. 𝗖𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴-𝗘𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 ▶️ High-precision laser systems ▶️ Quantum optical instrumentation ▶️ Advanced spectroscopic techniques ▶️ Optical communication infrastructure 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 Polarisation isn't just an academic subject. Controlling the polarity of light is skillful engineering discipline demanding rigorous mathematical modelling and micro-scale material engineering. #OpticalEngineering #PhotonicsTechnology #LaserScience #PrecisionOptics #LaserPhysics

𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 – 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 At MPO we like to keep up to speed with developments in laser science so were intrigued to learn recently that researchers at Heriot-Watt University have achieved what many thought impossible – manipulating the optical properties of light by adding time as a fourth dimension. The research team, led by Marcello Ferrera discovered that 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 (𝗧𝗖𝗢𝘀) 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗹𝘀𝗲𝘀 enabled them to control both the direction and energy of photons simultaneously. The modified material then allows for 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. This breakthrough could revolutionise optical computing, AI, and quantum technologies. At MPO, we follow developments in ultrafast laser science closely. For over a decade, our precision optical components have been integral to research institutions and commercial labs pushing the boundaries of light manipulation. Our ultrafast laser optical components and high LIDT coatings are designed precisely for the demanding applications that will help bring these theoretical breakthroughs into practical reality. Connect us to find out how MPO can be your partner in advancing photonic technology. #Photonics #UltrafastLasers #OpticalComputing #QuantumTechnology #OpticalComponents #Innovation #AI

🔦𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 – 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗿 systems demand optical components with exceptional specifications for 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱, and 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲. Conventional fabrication approaches introduce critical failure mechanisms that limit operational parameters. Rigorous fabrication methods at our Isle of Man plant ensures our customers can rely on the optical components we supply for their big science research projects. These initial stages in the fabrication process provide the foundation for quality optics: ✴️𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Every optic begins with a rigorous assessment of 𝗿𝗮𝘄 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀. Advanced 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 tools evaluate factors such as composition, clarity, and structural integrity. This process identifies any defects or inconsistencies in optical blanks, ensuring that only premium materials proceed to the next stage. ✴️𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 Using state-of-the-art machining and laser cutting techniques, materials are shaped to exact dimensions. Automated controls, strict calibration protocols combined with decades of experience guarantee dimensional accuracy, forming a reliable foundation for high-performance optics. ✴️𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, p𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, e𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 After rough shaping, the optic’s edges are bevelled to prevent chipping, and loose abrasive lapping is used to remove fractures and refine the surface. A controlled grinding process then employs specific materials and grain sizes to achieve a smooth, reflective surface, which is finely polished to reach sub-nanometre roughness. The process is adaptable for optics from a few microns to around 500mm in diameter, and compensated polishing is applied to pre-adjust the surface flatness, ensuring that coating-induced stress does not lower the laser-induced damage threshold. ✴️𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 Optical contacting is an essential process in advanced optical manufacturing, enabling the permanent bonding of coated (or uncoated) components without adhesives. By precisely controlling surface smoothness, flatness, and cleanliness, this technique ensures that the contacting surfaces meet rigorous standards, allowing the production of polarising cubes and complex assemblies for high-energy lasers with significantly higher damage thresholds than conventional cemented products. Click to read more.  #LaserOptics #photonics #BigScience #HighEnergyLasers

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀... W𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀. 𝟭. 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 ▶️ The lens material should exhibit minimal 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 to reduce energy loss and avoid unwanted heating during operation. ▶️ Components must maintain 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 despite the high temperatures generated in high-energy laser cavities. ▶️ For both practical and cost reasons, lenses materials and their coatings need to be intrinsically 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 under continuous high-energy exposure. 𝟮. 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 ▶️ 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗿-𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 (𝗟𝗜𝗗𝗧) 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 need to be engineered to resist intense laser exposure, preventing degradation and ultimately failure over time. ▶️ Reflection 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 with effective and appropriate anti reflection coatings. ▶️ The 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 for the wavelength, power and beam profile. 𝟯. 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 ▶️ 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀:High-energy lasers require exception lens surface quality to prevent beam distortion of the beam profile. If you’re designing a high-energy laser system you need to be able to rely on the tightest of manufacturing tolerances. Even minor deviations can significantly impact overall system performance. Talk to use about your lens needs. When it comes to customisation, material selection, and precision fabrication and coating, MPO’s expertise ensures that every lens meets the stringent tolerances required for optimal system performance in high-energy laser systems. #LaserOptics #HighEnergyLasers #OpticalEngineering #Photonics #LensesForLasers

𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻-𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗺 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗜𝗗𝗧 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 The optical components in 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 need more than optimal design and precision fabrication to be effective and remain undamaged over time. What makes all the difference is the 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. The nature of thin film microstructure dictates the effectiveness the coating. 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗿-𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 (𝗟𝗜𝗗𝗧) are critically affected by nanoscale features such as morphology, stress distribution, defect management, and surface roughness. Our technical note examines advanced deposition techniques and demonstrates how 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻-𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗺 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. By correlating deposition parameters with resultant film properties, the paper outlines how damage can be mitigate and operational lifespans extended. For professionals and researchers in high-energy laser optics, these insights are invaluable. The paper not only highlights the challenges but also offers practical recommendations for optimising coating performance, ultimately pushing the boundaries of what high-energy laser systems can achieve. Discover the detailed analysis and recommendations in the full paper. #ThinFilmTechnology #LaserOptics #OpticalCoatings #HighEnergyLasers #LIDT https://lnkd.in/gDW2PxxY

With Photonics West dominating the news last month, we missed the fact that Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) announced a groundbreaking achievement: the creation of the world's brightest X-ray source. This record was achieved by directing the National Ignition Facility's (NIF) high-powered laser onto ultra-light silver metal foams. Using this technique, researchers generated X-rays exceeding 20,000 electron volts. This advancement opens new avenues for imaging and studying extremely dense matter. Since its groundbreaking fusion ignition in December 2022, NIF has continued to advance laser energy records while also studying potential commercial uses in manufacturing. The success of NIF depends of course on the deployment of highest quality optical components. NIF's laser system comprises 192 individual beams, meticulously combined and amplified to achieve the desired energy levels. The precision and reliability of the optics are essential in focusing the laser onto the silver foam targets, ensuring the efficient generation of ultra-bright X-rays. This milestone not only highlights the importance of advanced optical engineering but also paves the way for future innovations in plasma physics and materials science. Congratulations to the LLNL team for this remarkable achievement! #LLNL #HighEnergyLasers #HighPerformanceOptics #XRayScience

Discover how virtually imaged phased arrays (VIPAs) are unlocking new potentials in Brillouin microscopy 🔬 The potential of 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 as a practical tool for probing the mechanical properties of biological tissues is only now being unlocked, thanks to the development of commercially available 𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘆𝘀 (𝗩𝗜𝗣𝗔s). Nearly a century after Leon Brillouin first described the inelastic scattering of light by acoustic phonons, this technique is finally being harnessed for real-world life sciences applications. Key Insights Include: ❇️𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: Delivering near-diffraction-limited performance, VIPAs enable precise separation of Brillouin frequency shifts. This precision is critical for isolating the subtle elastic signatures inherent in biological tissues. ❇️𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻: Integrating VIPAs into existing microscopy systems helps reduce spectral aberrations and mitigates stray light interference, challenges that can otherwise obscure the clarity of Brillouin signals. ❇️𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲s: By harnessing the unique optical properties of VIPAs, researchers can achieve improved contrast and resolution in Brillouin measurements, paving the way for more accurate assessments of tissue biomechanics and cellular processes. Read the complete article and get in touch to find out more. #Microscopy #BrillouinMicroscopy #VIPA #BiomedicalImaging #MicroscopyEngineering #SpectralAnalysis #photonics

Great to see Chris Bridle on the panel at Photonics West discussing 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗮 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲. High energy laser research pushes the envelope when it comes to optical component specifications and so it pays to work with a supplier with experience of developing optics to meet testing specifications such as very high LIDT coatings and very high degrees of flatness. #PhotonicsWest #plasmaphysics #highenergylaser

Next week is Photonics West and MPO Large Optic Product Manager Chris Bridle will be part of the panel discussion, 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗮 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲. Chris will be contributing his expertise on the challenges 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 projects face when sourcing 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. If in San Francisco next week, come along on 29 January 2025, 4-5pm, Moscone Center, Expo Stage, Hall DE (Exhibit Level) https://lnkd.in/ev7dJ6RC #SPIE #PhotonicsWest #highenergylasers