New manufacturing capability for laser optics fabrication

II-VI Infrared, the world leader in CO₂laser optics, now offers micro-milling and micro-grinding for optics fabrication. By incorporating a high-speed tool spindle into a 4-axis diamond turning machine, freeform designs can be machined with the superior figure and finish that diamond turning affords. In addition, this new manufacturing capability improves the manufacturing efficiency and positional accuracy of designs that once required complicated tooling and assembly. This technology brings to designers the capability of creating precision structures and microstructures for a wide range of commercial, industrial, medical, military, and aerospace applications.

A sampling of the products that can be fabricated with this new manufacturing capability include microlens arrays, diffractive optics, "fly's eye" structures, fluidic structures, optical molds, and gratings.