MiXran Meg1046 Penta Prism
| Brand | MiXran |
|---|---|
| Model | Meg1046 |
| Type | Precision Optical Penta Prism |
| Beam Deviation Angle | 90° (±30″ standard, ±3′ for GP17-005-015) |
| Material | Optical Grade BK7 Glass |
| Surface Quality | 20–10 Scratch-Dig |
| Coating | Uncoated (Optional AR Coating Available) |
| Dimensional Tolerance | ±0.1 mm |
| Angular Accuracy | ±30 arcseconds (standard), ±3 arcminutes (select variants) |
| Clear Aperture | ≥90% of face dimension |
Overview
The MiXran Meg1046 Penta Prism is a high-precision, monolithic optical component engineered to deliver a stable, non-deviating 90° beam deviation independent of rotational alignment about the optical axis. Unlike roof prisms or mirror-based right-angle reflectors, the penta prism’s five-face geometry—comprising two reflecting surfaces at precisely 45° and three refracting faces—ensures constant 90° output regardless of minor input angle variations. This intrinsic angular insensitivity makes it indispensable in applications demanding deterministic beam steering without sensitivity to mounting misalignment, such as coordinate measurement systems, laser alignment tools, interferometric setups, and optical encoder calibration platforms. Manufactured from homogenous, stress-relieved BK7 optical glass with tight wavefront distortion control (<λ/8 @ 633 nm), the Meg1046 meets stringent requirements for metrological stability and long-term thermal dimensional consistency.
Key Features
- Monolithic construction eliminates cemented interfaces, ensuring high laser damage threshold (LDT > 500 MW/cm² for nanosecond pulses @ 1064 nm) and zero risk of delamination under thermal cycling or vacuum exposure.
- Precision-polished faces with surface flatness ≤λ/10 and surface quality rated 20–10 scratch-dig per MIL-PRF-13830B.
- Beam deviation accuracy guaranteed to ±30 arcseconds (standard models) or ±3 arcminutes (GP17-005-015 variant), verified via autocollimation interferometry traceable to NIM (National Institute of Metrology, China) standards.
- Clear aperture exceeds 90% of nominal face dimension, minimizing vignetting in collimated beam paths.
- Available in six standard sizes—from 5.45 mm to 40 mm face dimension—with corresponding optical path lengths ranging from 5.45 mm to 43.3 mm.
- Uncoated BK7 substrate provides broadband transmission (350–2000 nm); optional single-layer or broadband anti-reflection coatings (e.g., R<0.25% @ 532/633/1064 nm) available upon request.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Meg1046 is compatible with all common visible and near-infrared light sources—including HeNe lasers (632.8 nm), diode lasers (405–1064 nm), and white-light interferometers—without spectral distortion or polarization-dependent deviation shift. Its material composition and polishing process comply with ISO 10110-7 (surface imperfections) and ISO 10110-3 (surface form tolerance). While not certified to ISO 9001 as a standalone component, MiXran’s production facility operates under documented quality management procedures aligned with ISO 9001:2015 principles. All units undergo 100% visual inspection and angular performance verification prior to shipment. No hazardous substances are used in manufacturing; RoHS 2011/65/EU compliance is confirmed for all glass and coating materials.
Software & Data Management
As a passive optical element, the Meg1046 requires no firmware, drivers, or software integration. However, its metrological specifications—including measured angular deviation, surface flatness maps, and interferometric test reports—are supplied digitally in PDF format with each shipment. Calibration data files adhere to ASTM E2919-21 (Standard Practice for Reporting Optical Component Test Data) and may be imported into Zemax OpticStudio, CODE V, or FRED optical design environments via ASCII-compatible metadata headers. Traceability documentation includes serial-number-linked measurement records archived for ≥10 years, supporting GLP-compliant laboratory audit requirements.
Applications
- Laser tracker and theodolite beam folding in industrial metrology labs.
- Reference angle standard in angular calibration benches per ISO 230-1 Annex D.
- Beam direction stabilization in Michelson and Twyman-Green interferometers.
- Optical path folding in compact spectrometer and ellipsometer designs.
- Alignment fiducial in semiconductor wafer inspection stages and photolithography tooling.
- Education kits for undergraduate optics laboratories covering ray tracing, total internal reflection, and image orientation analysis.
FAQ
What is the maximum incident beam diameter supported by the Meg1046?
The usable clear aperture is ≥90% of the specified face dimension—for example, a GP17-040 (40 mm) prism supports beams up to ~36 mm in diameter when properly centered.
Can the Meg1046 be used with ultraviolet (UV) or far-infrared (FIR) wavelengths?
BK7 transmission drops significantly below 350 nm and above 2000 nm; for UV applications, fused silica variants are recommended; for FIR, Ge or ZnSe alternatives must be specified.
Is custom coating or dimensioning available?
Yes—MiXran offers OEM services including custom AR coatings, wedge correction, and non-standard dimensions (minimum order quantity applies).
How is angular accuracy verified during production?
Each unit is tested using a Zygo Verifire™ MST interferometer in double-pass autocollimation mode, with results traceable to NIM reference standards.
Does the prism introduce polarization-dependent phase shifts?
No—unlike roof prisms, the penta prism’s symmetric geometry and absence of total internal reflection at the critical surfaces ensure negligible polarization rotation or retardance (<0.1° over full aperture).
