Key Advantages
-
High Reflectance via Total Internal Reflection
-
Alignment-Insensitive Retroreflection— Returns any incident beam to its source regardless of incidence angle, eliminating the need for precise angular alignment.
-
Sub-Arcsecond Beam Deviation— Return-beam accuracy limited only by surface manufacturing tolerance, delivering arc-second-level parallelism.
-
Monolithic & Environmentally Robust— monolithic glass, stable in harsh industrial environments.
Processing Specifications
|
Parameter
|
Regular
|
High Precision
|
|
Substrate Options
|
H-K9L / JGS1 Fused Silica
|
|
Wavelength Range
|
350 - 2000 nm (H-K9L); 185 - 2500 nm (UVFS)
|
|
Diameter Tolerance
|
± 0.1 mm
|
± 0.05 mm
|
|
Height Tolerance
|
± 0.2 mm
|
± 0.05 mm
|
|
Surface Flatness
|
λ/4 @ 632.8 nm
|
λ/10 @ 632.8 nm
|
|
Surface Quality
|
60-40
|
20-10
|
|
Beve
|
Protective as needed
|
|
Clear Aperture
|
> 90%
|
> 90%
|
|
Entrance Face Coating
|
Uncoated, or BBAR, AR
|
Uncoated, or BBAR, AR
|
Applications
- Laser Interferometry— Serves as a self-aligning retroreflector in the reference arm of interferometers for precision length metrology and surface profilometry.
- Laser Ranging & LiDAR— Deployed as target retroreflectors in rangefinders and LiDAR systems for long-range, high-accuracy distance measurement.
- Optical Alignment & Calibration— Used as a self-aligning reference for beam folding, autocollimation, and factory calibration of optical instruments.
FAQ(s)
What is the benefit of N-BK7 glass in this cube reflector?
N-BK7 offers excellent transmission in the visible to near-infrared range and high durability, making it suitable for a wide range of environments.
Do these retroreflectors require alignment?
No—corner cubes automatically return beams parallel to the input, eliminating the need for precise alignment.
Can these be used in laser-based applications?
Yes, they are commonly used in laser interferometry, alignment systems, and metrology due to their consistent beam return path.
