Flat etalons improve precision of Fabry–Pérot interferometers

Recent advances in fabrication techniques, developed by Optical Surfaces Ltd, has enabled the creation of a new generation of very precise tuneable Fabry–Pérot interferometers.

Dr Aris Kouris, sales director said “Working deep inside a chalk cliff, where temperature variation is negligible all year around, our skilled optical craftsmen can routinely create etalon pairs with ultra-low microroughness and surface accuracies that are better than lambda/300 peak to valley. As a result, we are the preferred supplier of matched etalon pairs to a growing group of discerning customers including a leading manufacturer of ultra-high resolution tuneable Fabry Perot interferometers”.

He added “Available in a range of shapes our etalons are designed for use at customer-defined wavelengths within the range 190 nanometres to about 2 microns. They are supplied with wedge angles of 5 minutes of arc for smaller diameters, rising in steps to a wedge angle of 40 minutes of arc for diameters from 70 - 170mm. Optical Surfaces etalons are available as standard in materials including UV grade Silica, Silicon and Germanium".