Blog — Optics University

World Space Week 2018

Posted by Steve Rowe on

World Space Week 2018

Everyday items you see and use are in space? Sounds odd, but it's true. Find out more in Episode 2 of Optics University.

Read more →


Optics University

Posted by Steve Rowe on

Optics University

Optics University, a web series the aims to provide you with optical insights that will help you in understanding how optical windows, lenses, prizms and other custom shapes are made and used.

Read more →


Concepts in Light and Optics – Lenses – Part 3

Posted by Bill Hill on

Having covered the basic types of lens configurations, as well as, the mechanical parameters used to define a lens shape, we will now discuss how opticians and fabricators characterize the precision of lens surfaces.

Read more →


Concepts in Light and Optics – Lenses – Part 2

Posted by Bill Hill on

Now that we’ve covered the basic type of lens configurations and how, by design, lenses either converge (focus) or diverge light, we can begin to explore the various characteristics that define their physical shape. Overall, there are many parameters that govern the performance of a lens. As previously discussed, it is the specific optical properties of a given material, namely its refractive index and dispersion, that influence light’s behavior when passing between mediums. Opticians build upon these carefully controlled properties by generating highly precise curvature (radii) across the surface of their lenses. By combining this curvature in relation to a...

Read more →


Concepts in Light and Optics - Lenses - Part 1

Posted by Bill Hill on

We welcome our readers back to our continuing technical series on the Concepts of Light and Optics. So far we’ve examined the nature of light and how it propagates, the principles of refraction and dispersion, material characteristics, interferometry, as well as, the fundamental specifications of plano optics. Building on all of these discussions, we now move on to a topic that is at the heart of optical fabrication – lenses. Lenses represent the workhorse of most optical systems. Properly designed and manufactured, these essential elements manipulate light, allowing scientists to examine everything from the minute details of cellular structure using...

Read more →



Quality Optics from a Trusted Supplier

American Owned & Operated

Esco Optics is a leading manufacturer of custom and catalog optics, precision optical components, and ITAR optics in the United States.

Military & Defense Supplier

As the leader for military and defense optics in the United States, Esco Optics adheres to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

ITAR Registered & Compliant

ITAR registered and compliant, Esco manufactures ITAR optics for all of its customers with the strictest confidentiality.