Optics for Laser Processing
What can OPTOMAN
do for the laser processing market?
Enhanced lifetime laser optics that prevent laser system downtime
Additive Manufacturing
Laser additive manufacturing enables the precise creation of complex metal and polymer parts. 3D printing technologies like DMLS or SLM are widely applied in aerospace, healthcare, and automotive industries. Additive manufacturing heavily relies on high-power and long-lifetime laser optics. Here low absorption and controlled thermal lensing plays an essential role.
Cutting, Welding, Drilling
These laser applications enable precise material processing in industries like automotive, aerospace, and electronics. However, challenges in laser optics, including thermal lensing, beam profile deformation, optics cleaning challenges and Laser-induced damage, require careful management to ensure efficiency.
Semiconductor Production
Lasers are used in photolithography, laser annealing, patterning, laser lift off, laser drilling, dicing as well as FBG writing applications. They require highly stable laser beams without fluctuation in beam coherence or energy. Ultrafast, high-power or excimer lasers are usually used for semicon applications, and their optics must withstand repeated exposure to high-energy UV light.
FAQ
What makes OPTOMAN different from other optics manufacturers?
OPTOMAN’s mission is to be Your Sidekick for Laser Optics Development. Our core value is the desire to make application-optimised and highly customised solutions for you collaboratively and do that with ultrafast turnaround, being quick to react, consult and serve your optics needs.
OPTOMAN is completely concentrated on Ion-Beam Sputtering Technology (IBS) using solely in-house manufacturing capabilities run by highly skilled professionals, enabling OPTOMAN to increase the longevity and reliability of our partners’ laser systems, eventually resulting in a lower total cost of ownership.
How can we be sure that OPTOMAN optics will fit our Business needs?
OPTOMAN digs deep into each application, providing highly customised and application-optimised solutions that will fit your business needs. Laser optics suitable for nanosecond, ultrafast and CW lasers are completely different as there is no one fits all solution when it comes to different laser parameters.
Together, we will be able to set the priorities that are most important for your application and needs, whether it is reaching fundamental limitations, proving the concept, or making a well-balanced industrial high runner. We keep an open discussion about main price drivers and help customers optimise BOM costs while maintaining the highest quality level.
Why Ion-Beam Sputtering Technology (IBS)?
IBS is an inherently stable sputtering process that enables OPTOMAN to make highly repeatable laser optics that feature bulk-like coating density, negligible scattering, high resistance to laser irradiation and advanced spectral performance.
OPTOMAN chose to focus on this technology, seeing it as the most suitable tool to enable higher laser energy levels and further advancements in laser technology. Moreover, IBS-coated optics help improve the Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) and reduce production and servicing costs in the long run. Operating one single coating technology reduces operational costs, which helps OPTOMAN destroy the myth that IBS coatings must be very expensive.
We already use IBS-coated optics, so why should we consider OPTOMAN?
Laser optics manufacturing is a more complicated process than choosing the right substrates and coating materials and uploading the coating design to the IBS machine.
The right intermedium between the coating design and coating chamber is essential, and that intermedium is human with the know-how. OPTOMAN is driven by highly skilled professionals who aim to maximise the value of IBS-coated optics for you with an ultrafast turnaround.
Is it possible to test the optics, and how scalable is the production?
Yes. Based on the customer’s presented business case, OPTOMAN, with its R&D-driven attitude and collaborative approach, can design, develop, and manufacture products for testing purposes and present a plan for serial production. Different-size IBS coating chambers are very handy in this case because small-scale production can be easily transferred to our giant IBS machine – Albert (the atom smasher), where we can coat large optics or 400-500 units of 1“ laser optics in a single coating run, ensuring high uniformity, meaning that all mirrors will work the same making your laser systems highly repeatable and reliable too.
Moreover, our in-stock optics marketplace, OPTOSHOP, features over 400 different laser optics made with love by OPTOMAN. These optics can be provided for testing directly from stock and delivered in 1-3 business days. After successful tests, OPTOMAN can present the most optimal production plan matching your business needs.
We are in the R&D phase; could OPTOMAN help at this stage?
We consider ourselves trailblazers of IBS-based optics manufacturing. We are eager to innovate in the field, so your RnD challenges are our best tasks. The passion for creating something new and our team’s satisfaction from seeing the solutions implemented are huge rewards. We have versatile manufacturing equipment suitable for prototyping and, later on, scalable mass production of thousands of units per day.
Our production has already confirmed bill of materials (BOM), why should we consider OPTOMAN?
One of the great added values we provide to our mass production-oriented customers is BOM optimisation. Our competencies and equipment are applicable to almost all the parts in laser system BOM—it helps us offer an optimal BOM set price compared to buying it from multiple sources. Moreover, the market always competes in terms of power levels, the efficiency of the process, reduction of downtime, and accuracy of the process. Collaboration with our team will ensure you are getting the most advanced solutions in the market.
Capabilities
LIDT
OPTOMAN’s coatings can withstand extremely powerful laser beams, with a threshold exceeding >426 kW/cm (limited by LIDT testing facility capabilities) @ 1070nm, CW and 1 J/cm² @ 1030 nm, 500 fs, for HR coatings. This makes them suitable for high-power laser systems. Learn more about LIDT capabilities.
Lifetime
OPTOMAN is invested in prolonging the lifetime of optics, no color-change effect and enhanced lifetime (over 10000h at some wavelengths) that at certain wavelengths can be backed up with lifetime measurements.
Repeatability
OPTOMAN understands the importance of repeatability, has many metrology processes, and ensures that each optic works as promised. Read more in tech note about repeatability.
Spectral performance
OPTOMAN’s coatings can offer transmittance exceeding 99.98% for AR/AR coated components and reflectance of R>99.995% for high reflective coatings.
Optical Assemblies
Benefit from high-quality OPTOMAN IBS coatings used in robust optical assemblies. Laser processing chamber windows, lens assemblies, polarizing cubes, retroreflectors can be highly customised and adapted to your application and needs. Learn more about optical assemblies.
Wavelength range
OPTOMAN is capable of manufacturing all types of laser optics with wavelengths ranging from 193 to 5000 nm. Moreover, OPTOMAN has put in a lot of effort in the Mid-IR spectral range, with knowledge in handling different substrates. Learn more about Mid-IR optics in our tech note.
Application optimised products
Unlike current components that degrade over time, our new Non-degrading UV Optics are designed to withstand prolonged exposure to high power laser pulses, enabling these systems to operate for more than 10,000 hours, which directly translates into lower maintenance costs, reduced downtime, and longer overall lifespan for high-power laser systems, which are crucial for industries that rely on continuous, high-precision operations.
- No color-change effect
- Enhanced lifetime (over 10000h)
- Higher LIDT (>0.35 J/cm² @ 343 nm, 300fs)
Design example
Lifetime measurements were performed to prove the “non-degradable” statement with the following laser parameters:
Wavelength: 343 nm
Pulse duration (FWHM): 300.8 fs
Repetition rate: 200 kHz
AOI: 45 deg
Polarization: Linear S
Beam diameter (1/e2): (40.9 ± 0.6) µm
According to measurement OPTOMAN UV mirrors can withstand 0.35 J/cm² laser fluence for at least 60 days of irradiation time.
Working at pulse durations less than 10ps, colour change effect become LIDT-limiting factor for ultrafast applications. OPTOMAN has developed a product specifically optimized for ultrafast laser applications – SuperHero Power Mirrors featuring no color-change damage.
- Very High LIDT (> 1 J/cm², 1030 nm, 500 fs, s-pol)
- No color-change effect and
- Long lifetime (>0.5 J/cm², 1030 nm, 500 fs after 3.2 years of irradiation)
Design example
Coating (IBS)
HRs>99.95% & HRp>99.9%@1010 – 1050 nm, AOI=45°, |GDD Rs|<10 fs², |GDD Rp|<20 fs²
LIDT (measured):
> 0.7 J/cm², 1030 nm, 500 fs, 10 kHz, p-pol
> 1 J/cm², 1030 nm, 500 fs, 10 kHz, s-pol
> 3 J/cm², 1030 nm, 10 ps, 10 kHz, p-pol
> 5 J/cm², 1030 nm, 10 ps, 10 kHz, s-pol
Lifetime measurement
Excimer lasers, such as ArF, KrF that generate DUV laser beams are popular solution for photolithography and material ablation in polymers and metals. IBS dielectric coatings have several advantages for ArF lasers compared to other solutions in the market:
- No Aging (reflectance does not change over time)
- Longer lifetime
- Low loss and absorption
Design example
HRa>98% @ 193 nm, AOI=45°
HR > 99% @ 193nm, AOI=0-10° spherical mirrors are also available as well as custom size and wavelengths.
AR coated windows and lenses are widely used in laser processing to increase the transmission of laser energy, minimize energy loss and reduce the risk of damage from reflected light.
Lenses from OPTOMAN are IBS coated and optimised for high laser power applications. This means that they can be used for intracavity, multi-kW CW, and ultrafast pulse applications.
Design example
AR < 0.1% @ 515 nm + 1030 nm, AOI=0°
LIDT optimised for :
1030 nm, 100 μJ, 250 fs, 300 kHz
515 nm, 50 μJ, 250 fs, 300 kHz
AR-coated protective windows are widely used in laser processing to ensure high transmission of laser energy, protect laser system, and minimize thermal effects. OPTOMAN protective windows are IBS coated and optimised for high laser power and controlled Z-shift.
Design example
IBS coating:
Ra < 0.1 % @ 1060-1070nm + Ra < 2 % @ 633nm
AOI = 8 ± 8° cone
Absorption: <3 ppm
Absorption measurement. Longitudinal scan.
Certification
Here's what
our clients say
At Cailabs, we develop unique solutions for shaping all types of laser beams for laser processing. Our unique systems are fully reflective and have to manage harsh conditions: high peak power and average power on small surfaces. We have challenged OPTOMAN with some of our most difficult conditions, and they have successfully developed unique coatings that can withstand those conditions. In addition to providing excellent performance coatings, it’s a pleasure to work with OPTOMAN.
Product Line Manager at Cailabs
OPTOMAN helps us to scale our business. From standard mirrors to custom coatings - OPTOMAN delivers the highest quality with fast response times.
CEO at Class 5
OPTOMAN helped improving our 3 µm laser device efficiency due to the exceptional transmission performance of their coatings at that challenging wavelength.
R&D Team Lead Laser - Optics - Lab
We are very satisfied with the quality of OPTOMAN's mirrors. After months and even years of use there is no sign of coating degradation, which is a sign of their good work. In addition to this, we also highly appreciate their eagerness to develop custom coatings for us, the clarity and accuracy of their communications, and the high speed in processing our requests. Definitely, OPTOMAN is one of our main mirror suppliers.
Dr. Juan B. Gonzalez-Diaz, Laser Engineer at DESY
OPTOMAN’s 0-45° mirrors ULLM19 and dual-wavelength ultrafast mirrors (1030+515 nm) have been extremely useful to our work. Both products deliver exceptional performance and quality!
Anne-Lise Viotti, Assistant Professor at Lund University
OPTOMAN's expertise and reactivity have made them our trusted partner for developing dispersion-controlled optics at unique wavelengths.
Clement Ferchaud, Extreme Light Consortium, Imperial College London, UK
The OPTOMAN optics perform excellently in facilitating high-power, high-energy, and ultrafast Yb lasers, which provides a strong foundation for its application in high flux EUV generation and attosecond spectroscopy.
Xiaochun Gong, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, China
Laser Processing customers appreciate OPTOMAN‘s focus on on-time-delivery, which exceeds 91% of orders delivered on time.
Customers from this segment rely on OPTOMAN‘s optical assembly capabilities that simplify BOM.
9/10 laser engineers would recommend OPTOMAN to a colleague or business partner.
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