Barrington, NJ--Edmund Optics is now offering edge-blackened optics, which can increase contrast and reduce noise in imaging and electro-optical systems. The blackened edges prevent light from exiting a mounted optic, reflecting off the optical mount, re-entering the optic, and then causing stray-light problems as it passes through the optical assembly.
"To avoid stray light and improve contrast, we always blacken the edges of the components in our Techspec imaging lenses," said Gregg Fales, optical product line manager. "An increasing number of customers blacken edges for assemblies in applications ranging from electronics inspection and semiconductor processing to flow cytometry and drug discovery. We knew this was a service we had to offer."
Offering the edge-blackening as a standard option eliminates a labor-intensive step in integrating the optics into OEM assemblies. "Without the appropriate equipment and skilled opticians, it's quite a difficult and expensive process," said Fales. The edges must be blackened while maintaining dimensional tolerances, clear aperture, and centration: all critical specifications for ensuring high-quality optical assemblies and sub-assemblies.
The blackening service is available off-the shelf for most of Edmund's Techspec VIS 0° achromatic lenses. It is also available to all transmissive components through the company's so-called "Quik Mod" program, which allows rapid turnaround of modified catalog components in small quantities. (In Quik Mod, Edmund can typically modify 10 pieces or fewer---blackening edges, applying a metal or antireflection coating, or reducing the elements' circumference---within two weeks of an order.)
