Rigaku introduces synchrotron optics refurbishment program

Oct. 26, 2016
Rigaku can now clean and recoat old synchrotron optics for new applications or enhanced performance.

Multilayer optics manufacturer Rigaku Innovative Technologies (RIT; Tokyo, Japan) can now clean and recoat old synchrotron optics to either retask the optics for new applications or to refurbish and repair the coatings to enhance performance. This proprietary process restores the optics’ performance with less lead time and at a far lower cost than purchasing new optics. The company also offers new optics and coatings for synchrotron applications that have high reflectivity and precision.

RELATED ARTICLE: Home-grown ARPES spectroscopy system substitutes for synchrotron light source

Synchrotron beamline end stations and analytical instruments most often operate with high-intensity X-rays. Such high-intensity beams can result in damage to single-film and multilayer coatings. Because synchrotron and similar custom-made optics typically require extremely precise coatings on premium quality substrates, these substrates and coatings can be very expensive and require long lead times.

RIT has developed a proprietary methodology for the refurbishment, recovery, and restoration of synchrotron optics systems. Rigaku's refurbishment method is designed to reduce costs and lead time for the setup of experimental and analytical equipment, as well as beamline end stations. Additionally, the process restores damaged multilayers to the same quality and performance as new multilayer optics.

Optical refurbishment is an effective and efficient solution to address the major challenges experienced in synchrotron applications. The process provides: recovery of optical performance by removing the damaged multilayer or single film and re-depositing a new coating; removal of contaminants without damaging the underlying multilayer structure and preservation of the original high quality substrate surface without the need for re-polishing. The process allows for maintenance of low micro roughness on any scale, from low spatial frequency roughness to high spatial frequency roughness. The process can restore some damage to high spatial frequency roughness. If the optic is too damaged in any roughness scale, mechanical repolishing may still be required.

RIT also manufactures new synchrotron optics, with high reflectivity and high precision coatings available on mirrors up to 1.5 m long. These coatings can be single-film, bi-material, or tri-material multilayers, with protective top coats and adhesion layers available. RIT is capable of producing optics with coatings in narrow stripes to allow multiple material systems, as well as multiple d-spacing films coated on the same optic. Additionally, the company produces double multilayer monochromators on optics up to 1.5 m long. In these applications, substrates such as Si<111> and other natural crystals can form one stripe of the monochromator.

SOURCE: Rigaku Innovative Technologies (RIT); http://www.rigaku.com

About the Author

Gail Overton | Senior Editor (2004-2020)

Gail has more than 30 years of engineering, marketing, product management, and editorial experience in the photonics and optical communications industry. Before joining the staff at Laser Focus World in 2004, she held many product management and product marketing roles in the fiber-optics industry, most notably at Hughes (El Segundo, CA), GTE Labs (Waltham, MA), Corning (Corning, NY), Photon Kinetics (Beaverton, OR), and Newport Corporation (Irvine, CA). During her marketing career, Gail published articles in WDM Solutions and Sensors magazine and traveled internationally to conduct product and sales training. Gail received her BS degree in physics, with an emphasis in optics, from San Diego State University in San Diego, CA in May 1986.

Sponsored Recommendations

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) electrode manufacturing

Jan. 31, 2025
Learn how an industry-leading Brain Computer Interface Electrode (BCI) manufacturer used precision laser micromachining to produce high-density neural microelectrode arrays.

Electro-Optic Sensor and System Performance Verification with Motion Systems

Jan. 31, 2025
To learn how to use motion control equipment for electro-optic sensor testing, click here to read our whitepaper!

How nanopositioning helped achieve fusion ignition

Jan. 31, 2025
In December 2022, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's National Ignition Facility (NIF) achieved fusion ignition. Learn how Aerotech nanopositioning contributed to this...

Nanometer Scale Industrial Automation for Optical Device Manufacturing

Jan. 31, 2025
In optical device manufacturing, choosing automation technologies at the R&D level that are also suitable for production environments is critical to bringing new devices to market...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!