The machining of reflective optics from metal on customer request is one of the three core businesses of LT Ultra. With over 20 years of market experience in ultra-precision machining, we are your competence center for multi-axis diamond machining. LT Ultra produces on self-developed and self-manufactured machines. This allows us to continuously push the boundaries of what is possible in the production of metal optics, offering both single-part and series production at the cutting edge of feasibility with consistently high quality at contemporary prices. Our extremely high machine availability, supported by our in-house service team, ensures short and reliable delivery times.
Worldwide, LT Ultra’s metal optics products ensure the economic success of our customers.
Depending on the manufacturing method, size, weight, and material of the substrate/workpiece, our diamond machining can achieve geometric accuracies of up to 80 nm (1 nm = 0.000001 mm) and surface roughnesses of 1-2 nm RMS. Our machine park, consisting of over 30 ultra-precision machines, allows the production of all surface shapes such as flat surfaces, spheres, toroids, ellipsoids, paraboloids, and hyperboloids, as well as custom freeform surfaces.
Diamond machining can generally be performed on non-ferrous metals. In some cases, preliminary test machining may be necessary. The most common materials for metal optics are oxygen-free copper (OFHC-Cu) and aluminum alloys (EN AW-6082 and EN AW-6061).
Copper optics are primarily used in laser resonators or as deflection and focusing mirrors in beam guidance. Due to the high thermal conductivity of copper, especially in directly water-cooled designs, they offer the highest form stability at high laser powers. Typically, the optics are coated with an application-specific coating to maximize reflectivity and provide sufficient protection against environmental influences.
Regarding the size of an optic, there are virtually no limits. For example, we manufactured all the large mirrors for the MAGIC telescopes on La Palma using specially developed custom machines. With a total mirror area of almost 240 m² each, they are the world’s largest telescopes for detecting gamma rays. They are composed of individual mirrors measuring 1000 mm x 1000 mm.
At the other end of the manufacturing spectrum, LT Ultra offers microstructuring of metal surfaces. This involves creating structures in the range of 5 to 150 µm with optical quality. These custom structures can be diamond milled or diamond turned on roller machines. LT Ultra can process supplied rollers up to a length of 2500 mm, a diameter of 800 mm, and a maximum weight of 2500 kg.
Our innovative development department is happy to find a technical solution for you, even in seemingly unsolvable situations.
You can also download our complete overview of metal optics.
