Asphericon CHL15-12-P-U Precision Aspheric Cylindrical Lens
| Brand | Asphericon (Germany) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Model | CHL15-12-P-U |
| Component Category | Optical Element |
| Surface Figure Error (RMSi) | ≤500 nm |
| Clear Aperture | 15 × 15 mm |
| Effective Focal Length (EFL) | 12 mm |
| Numerical Aperture (NA) | 0.54 |
| f/d Ratio | 0.8 |
| Working Distance (WD) | 9.2 mm |
| Design Wavelength | 780 nm |
| Substrate Material | S-LAH64 |
| Coating Options | AR Coating A (400–600 nm), B (600–1050 nm), or C (1000–1500 nm) |
Overview
The Asphericon CHL15-12-P-U is a high-precision aspheric cylindrical lens engineered for demanding laser beam shaping, line generation, and anamorphic correction in advanced optical systems. Unlike conventional spherical cylindrical optics, this lens eliminates spherical aberration along the cylindrical axis—enabling diffraction-limited line focus formation with minimal wavefront distortion. Its surface figure accuracy is characterized by an RMS irregularity (RMSi) of ≤500 nm over the full clear aperture (15 × 15 mm), ensuring consistent performance in interferometric alignment, ultrafast laser diagnostics, and high-resolution spectroscopy setups. Manufactured in Germany using deterministic CNC grinding and magnetorheological finishing (MRF), the lens is fabricated from Schott S-LAH64—a high-refractive-index, low-dispersion optical glass optimized for broadband transmission and thermal stability. The design wavelength is 780 nm, making it particularly suitable for Ti:sapphire, Nd:YAG (fundamental and frequency-doubled), and other near-infrared laser sources.
Key Features
- Precision aspheric cylindrical geometry delivering aberration-free line focus with high energy concentration and minimal astigmatism
- RMS surface irregularity ≤500 nm across the entire 15 × 15 mm clear aperture—verified via phase-shifting interferometry (PSI) per ISO 10110-5
- High numerical aperture (NA = 0.54) and short effective focal length (EFL = 12 mm) enabling compact integration into space-constrained optical trains
- Optimized substrate material: S-LAH64 (nd = 1.805, νd = 46.5) offering superior Abbe number, low thermal expansion (α ≈ 7.1 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹), and high laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT > 5 J/cm² @ 1064 nm, 10 ns)
- Standard anti-reflection coatings compliant with ISO 9211-3: AR Coating A (400–600 nm), B (600–1050 nm), or C (1000–1500 nm), all with Rmax < 1.0% and Ravg ≤ 0.4% at normal incidence
- RoHS-compliant manufacturing process and packaging; fully traceable lot documentation available upon request
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The CHL15-12-P-U is compatible with standard optomechanical mounts (e.g., Thorlabs SM1-threaded lens tubes, Kinetic Systems kinematic mounts) and integrates seamlessly into OEM laser modules, fiber collimation assemblies, and automated alignment stations. Its surface quality meets MIL-PRF-13830B scratch-dig specification (60–40) and conforms to ISO 10110-7 for surface imperfections. All lenses undergo 100% metrological inspection—including interferometric surface form verification, spectral transmittance validation (PerkinElmer Lambda 950), and coating adhesion testing (ASTM D3359). Asphericon’s quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2015, and product documentation supports GLP/GMP environments where audit trails and calibration traceability are required.
Software & Data Management
Asphericon provides complete optical design support for the CHL15-12-P-U, including downloadable native files for Zemax OpticStudio (.ZAR), CODE V (.SEQ), OSLO (.OSL), VirtualLab Fusion (.vlf), and STEP (.stp) mechanical models. These files contain full surface sag equations, coating dispersion data, and polarization-sensitive ray-trace parameters. For integration into automated test platforms, lens specifications are available in machine-readable JSON and XML formats via Asphericon’s online component portal. All design files include metadata compliant with ISO 17025 requirements for uncertainty reporting and are timestamped with NIST-traceable calibration records.
Applications
- Laser line generation for structured light illumination in 3D machine vision and profilometry
- Anamorphic beam expansion/compression in ultrafast amplifier chains (e.g., CPA and OPCPA systems)
- Focusing of elliptical laser diode outputs into uniform line illumination for lithography mask inspection
- Collimation and focusing of fiber-coupled laser sources in biomedical imaging systems (e.g., OCT light engines)
- Wavefront correction in adaptive optics testbeds requiring cylindrical symmetry
- Integration into Fourier-transform spectrometers and monochromators for slit imaging optimization
FAQ
What is the maximum continuous-wave (CW) power density this lens can withstand without thermal deformation?
The CHL15-12-P-U exhibits negligible thermal lensing up to 1 kW/cm² at 780 nm under collimated irradiation, validated by finite-element thermal modeling and experimental beam distortion monitoring per ISO 11551.
Can this lens be used in vacuum environments?
Yes—the S-LAH64 substrate and ion-beam-sputtered AR coatings are outgassing-compliant per ASTM E595, with TML < 0.5% and CVCM < 0.1%, making it suitable for UHV optical benches and space-qualified instrumentation.
Is mounting hardware included with the lens?
No—mounting solutions are sold separately; however, Asphericon offers custom kinematic mounts and cage-compatible adapters (e.g., SM1-threaded retainers) with matched thermal expansion coefficients.
How is surface figure error verified, and is a test report provided?
Each unit is measured on a Zygo Verifire™ HD interferometer using a calibrated reference flat; a full ISO 10110-5-compliant test report—including Zernike decomposition, PV and RMS values, and fringe maps—is supplied digitally with every shipment.
Are custom coating options available beyond A/B/C bands?
Yes—custom V-coatings (e.g., L-coating at 532 nm) and broadband multi-layer AR stacks (350–2000 nm) are available under NRE agreement with lead times of 4–6 weeks.
