Altechna

Need a last push to improve your laser system? Look no further: Altechna has got you covered with increased efficiency; low loss SiC mirrors! Galvo-scanning systems, laser material processing, sensing – to name only a few applications with silicon carbide-based optics as key components. Although the mechanical properties of this material make it an ideal choice for making mirrors, the same cannot be said of its optical suitability. The fastest and cheapest method for manufacturing SiC substrates – reaction bonding – produces surfaces that contain up to 50% unreacted silicon and carbon. From an optical point of view, such surfaces cause high scattering of laser radiation. For example, scattering at 355nm is over 1,000 times higher compared to a standard surface of fused silica substrate. The reflection coefficient of any reflective dielectric coating on a SiC base would therefore be significantly lower compared to one deposited on a fused silica base, purely because of the scattering losses due to the substrate’s roughness. To eliminate these losses, the surface of a SiC element needs additional modification after their manufacture. However, standard measures cannot be applied effectively. Altechna’s approach to this challenge comprises optimized sub-layer deposition and a polishing procedure before application of a low-loss reflective coating. Using this technique, we’ve successfully managed to decrease surface roughness while controlling the flatness of the final part to the required application specification. Our method of depositing a dielectric coating on a smoothed SiC surface leads to the same optical properties as using fused silica substrates (e.g., >99.5% reflectance at 355nm at broad AOI range). Altechna’s top-quality modification process and mirror coatings for every wavelength, from UV to Mid-IR with custom options, are available upon request. Want to know more? Check Altechna’s website for full whitepapers or find out more information at our booth #5329!

There are many issues that are faced when dealing with CW applications. One of these revolves around overheating of the CW optical components under high-power irradiation, which can be a quick route to laser-induced damage. Laser-induced damage caused by local overheating is a critical area that requires a well-developed solution and a trustworthy partner. Altechna has dedicated time and energy to optimizing the manufacturing process to overcome the above- mentioned issues. First, appropriate inclusion class and homogeneity grade substrate material must be chosen. When it comes to high power CW lasers, especially in the NIR range, everything that contributes to absorption has to be considered. Second, material processing (shaping, grinding, and polishing of the substrate), must be carried out meticulously. Each stage affects the quality of the finished substrate by creating stress and strain on the optical surface and contaminating the substrate with polishing residuals. Third, remaining contaminant residues must be highly reduced or eliminated by special surface treatment methods. Altechna has developed contactless methods such as plasma etching to help minimize sub-surface defects and increase the LIDT values of optical components. Finally, selection of appropriate coating materials and coating technology is key to successfully manufacturing low absorption optics. We tested various dielectric materials with our three in-house market-leading technologies (magnetron sputtering), ion beam sputtering, electron beam evaporation and the outcome of our research has provided solutions for: - AR coatings suitable for >100 kW average power laser systems: Absorption: <1 ppm at 1064 nm LIDT: >102.6 J/cm2 at 10 ns, 1064 nm (pulsed); >87.7 kW/cm (CW) -HR coatings: Absorption: <3 ppm at 1064 nm LIDT: >30 MW/cm2 @1070 nm Now, we have the right combinations for outstanding durability and high LIDT CW regimes. We can ensure that our optical components will fit in any kind of CW laser processing (cutting, drilling, and welding) applications. Check Altechna’s website or visit our booth #5329 to find out more information!

Altechna is a laser optics and optomechanical subassemblies manufacturer based in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Over the last 4 years, our customers’ trust in the expertise of our company has allowed us to grow by 56% in revenue. Such rapid growth is inevitably followed by infrastructure and capabilities expansion to ensure further growth and customer satisfaction. The company has recently announced the completion of the construction of our new manufacturing facilities and equipment purchase. Altechna has invested 7.5 M EUR and expanded to 3,200 m2 premises, of which 1,700 m2 is dedicated to manufacturing. A third of that area is ISO 6 clean rooms with real-time active particle monitoring, relative humidity, and temperature controls. The expansion of cleanroom area has increased our capacity to offer a variety of assembly and manufacturing solutions which require high cleanliness levels, from exact build-to-print projects based on customer’s instructions, to fully custom-designed solutions that are tailored to fit the specific end-user needs. We supply optical parts (prisms, waveplates, lenses and other glass parts optically contacted or cemented together) and optomechanical assemblies (optics mounted on various types of metal mounts and housings, either fixed or shifting). In addition to currently operating IBS, MS and e-beam coating machines, Altechna has acquired three new ones: two e-beams: Bühler Leybold SyrusPro 1350 and 710; and one magnetron sputtering machine: Bühler Helios 800. New machines will broaden current technological capabilities for manufacturing of steep edge dichroic beam splitters, short / long pass edge filters as well as narrow bandpass / notch filters. The capacity of these machines will significantly drive down cost per piece, as up to 444 pcs of 1 inch diameter optics can be manufactured in the Helios 800 and up to 4 pcs of 400 mm diameter in the SyrusPro 1350 per single run. We invite you to visit our booth #5329 to find out more information how our expanded technological capabilities could solve your optical challenges!

Altechna offers a full range of assembly and manufacturing solutions, from exact build-to-print projects based on customer’s instructions, to fully custom-designed solutions that are tailored to fit the specific end-user needs: OPTICAL PARTS: prisms, waveplates, lenses and other glass parts optically contacted or cemented together. OPTOMECHANICAL PARTS: optics mounted on various types of metal mounts and housings, either fixed or shifting. In recent years, Altechna has strengthened by investing in the areas of manufacturing, including a newly built cleanroom area, equipment, as well as technical training for our team members. Currently our facilities include: - 100 m2 ISO 6 cleanroom working area. - All the necessary equipment for optomechanical assembly work. - A choice of various acrylic-based and epoxy adhesives. - Custom measurement-system set-ups based on the final application. - Experienced team of engineers and assemblers. Our goal is to provide a service whereby we can help the end user to gain the following additional benefits: - ONE SOURCE: One source for all your optomechanical projects. Staring with the design, procurement of all necessary parts and ending with a final product. - FULL TRACEABILITY: Full traceability of all component and processes of the project. - TIME AND RESOURCE SAVINGS: the complex, multi-stage processes required to build optomechanical subassemblies demand a large amount of internal resources and time. - SIMPLICITY: the pre-built, aligned and cleanroom-packed modules can be immediately incorporated into the systems of users. - INCREASED YIELD: reducing customer headaches from damages caused to precision optics when being built into assemblies. - SPACE-SAVING: with goods coming from Altechna, a company‘s own cleanroom areas and manufacturing lines can be reallocated to other projects. - COST SAVINGS: a skilled team of technical experts is ready to help with your needs for the most competitive price on the market.

Altechna, a provider of laser optics and optomechanical assemblies from Vilnius, Lithuania has acquired Alpine Research Optics (ARO), situated in a hub of photonics research and technology – Boulder, Colorado. Both companies plan to triple their income in five years while maintaining ARO’s management. This union will strengthen the companies’ position in the global laser technology market while focusing on medical and semiconductor production. November 27, 2023. Altechna, a custom laser optics company, headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania, is expanding its global presence by acquiring Boulder-based ARO, a high-quality laser optics producer, specializing in UV applications. Maintaining the original management structure of ARO, both companies aim to multiply their income three times in laser technology over the next five years. In 2023, the combined revenues of the two companies are expected to reach more than €22 million. By obtaining a company with 35 skilled professionals, Altechna is enhancing its capacity to provide superior laser technology solutions. As a result of the expanded laser optics offering, Altechna will create new job vacancies for technologists and engineers in the long run. Since 1991, Alpine Research Optics has specialized in high-quality UV laser optics, gaining customer recognition for technical quality, and becoming one of the best precision optical manufacturing companies in the United States. Operating from a modern 35,000-square-foot facility, ARO excels in laser optic fabrication and coatings. Its product range includes windows, lenses, mirrors, polarizers, beam splitters, and filters catering to semiconductors, micromachining, medical instruments, defense, aerospace, and research industries.