American Owned & Operated
Esco Optics is a leading manufacturer of custom and catalog optics, precision optical components, and ITAR optics in the United States.
Posted by Steve Rowe on
Precision optics play a crucial role in everyday life, embedded in numerous products we use daily. From the advanced sensors and cameras in cars to the sophisticated optics in smartphones, these components originate from specialized manufacturers. However, if you're an engineer or a procurement specialist, how do you determine where to start and who to partner with? The most common answer is to search online.
When you work with Esco, you gain access to an all-in-one optical solutions provider. While some manufacturers specialize in large-scale production or rapid prototyping, Esco offers comprehensive expertise in optical manufacturing. We produce flat, spherical, and custom optics from optical glass and crystals, ensuring high precision and quality.
In-House Manufacturing Process
Esco manages the entire manufacturing process in-house. We source raw glass in boule or dimensioned rough sizes and utilize core drilling and slicing techniques to refine materials into smaller, final-dimension pieces. This approach eliminates the need to rely on external vendors for supply blanks, significantly reducing lead times and ensuring faster delivery.
Capabilities
Flat optics
Flat optics must efficiently transmit light or reflect light with superior wavefront quality and parallelism as achieved through double-sided polishing. Our dedicated department processes high volumes of materials using state-of-the-art polishing machines.
Double-Sided Polishing: Optics ranging from 5 mm to 508 mm* with commercial, laser-grade and super-polish finishes
Precision Flats & Wedges: Flatness up to ≤ λ/20
Optical flats
Optical flats, available with single or double-precision surfaces, are used to measure surface accuracy by observing fringe patterns. While a single precision surface is sufficient for many applications, dual surfaces offer greater versatility and longevity.
Flatness Options: λ/4, λ/10, λ/20
Material: Typically made from fused quartz due to its low thermal expansion and high abrasion resistance
Custom Materials: Available upon request
Mirrors
Precision mirrors
require extreme flatness to minimize sub-surface damage whether for a front surface or rear surface configuration. Our one-sided optics undergo continuous pitch polishing, utilizing specialized machines and spindle polishers. Esco also produces concave and convex spherical mirror configurations. Of course, the final step of precision mirror production is the coating which can be customized with popular metal applications (Al-SiO, Silver, Gold or dielectric high reflectors.
Reflected Wavefront Error: Down to λ/20
Surface Roughness: As low as 3 Å rms
Filters
Esco custom fabricates glass filters from Schott, Hoya, and Isuzu suitable for various optical applications. Our stock includes long and short bandpass filters, multiband, and neutral density filters spanning UV, visible, and near-infrared wavelengths.
Specialty Filters: Color compensation, light balancing, heat absorption
Maximum Diameter: 16" (406 mm), subject to material constraints
Prisms
Esco provides high-quality prisms with superior surface accuracy and coatings tailored to specific wavelengths. Our precision fabrication ensures exceptional optical performance.
Types: Right-angle, equilateral, Brewster, pentaprisms, Dove, Littrow, wedge prisms
Surface Accuracy: λ/20 over clear aperture
Surface Quality: 10-5 scratch-dig
Dimensional Tolerance: ±0.5 mm
Apex Angle Tolerance: ±5’
Bevel Width: <5 mm
Coatings: UV, visible, and infrared options
Beamsplitter Plates
Beamsplitter plates offer a cost-effective alternative to beamsplitter cubes while reducing size and weight. These plates are commonly used in laser applications requiring high-temperature resistance and coatings with high damage thresholds.
Witness Samples
We offer catalog witness samples and customized programs for specific glass types, ensuring precision for specialty glass requirements. Esco offers a full complement of witness samples in three different configurations: Transmission, Reflection and Wedged. Most common generic indices as well as specific optical glass manufacturer's types are available (Corning, Ohara, Heraeus, Schott). We can also supply melt specific materials at a competitive cost to our customers.
Diameter 25.40 mm +/-0.10
Thickness 1.50 mm +/-0.25
Flatness <1.0 wave @633nm
Surface Quality 60-40 scratch-dig
Custom options and materials are available
Lenses
Our lens department produces an extensive range of glass lenses, from catalog optics such as biconvex, plano-convex, achromatic, cylindrical, and aspherical lenses to fully customized solutions. We serve industries including aerospace, biomedical, defense, sensing, and entertainment. Lens material can range from flint glass to IR materials.
Prototype or production quantities
Scratch Dig: ≤ 5-2 per MIL-PRF-13830
Quality
Of course, quality control is our top priority from start to finish, and our metrology
department ensures accuracy and reliability.
We maintain open communication throughout the manufacturing and delivery process to keep you informed every step of the way. By choosing Esco, you gain access to a trusted partner with expertise in precision optics, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and a commitment to delivering high-quality optical solutions tailored to your needs.
Contact our team today to get started on your optical solution Sales@EscoOptics.com or start your quote here.
Esco Optics is a leading manufacturer of custom and catalog optics, precision optical components, and ITAR optics in the United States.
As the leader for military and defense optics in the United States, Esco Optics adheres to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
ITAR registered and compliant, Esco manufactures ITAR optics for all of its customers with the strictest confidentiality.