MiXran Meg1012 Plano-Concave Cylindrical Lens

Overview

The MiXran Meg1012 Plano-Concave Cylindrical Lens is a precision optical component engineered for controlled one-dimensional beam expansion, astigmatic correction, line generation, and laser sheet formation in research-grade optical systems. Unlike spherical lenses, cylindrical lenses possess curvature along only one axis—enabling independent manipulation of light in orthogonal planes. The Meg1012 series features a plano surface on one side and a concave cylindrical surface on the other, producing a diverging effect exclusively along the curved axis while preserving collimation in the orthogonal direction. This geometry is fundamental in applications requiring anamorphic beam shaping, such as slit illumination in spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT) reference arms, interferometric alignment, and particle image velocimetry (PIV). Manufactured from high-homogeneity BK7 optical glass with tight tolerances on radius of curvature and surface flatness, each lens undergoes interferometric verification to ensure λ/4 peak-to-valley wavefront error across its clear aperture. The design adheres to ISO 10110-1 and ISO 10110-5 standards for optical element specification and surface imperfection control.

Key Features

• High-precision cylindrical geometry with calibrated radius of curvature (R₁), traceable to NIST-traceable interferometric calibration
• Multiple coating options: uncoated for UV-VIS flexibility; broadband anti-reflection (BBAR) coatings optimized for VIS (400–700 nm), NIR (650–1050 nm), and SWIR (1000–1650 nm) spectral bands—each delivering <0.25% average reflectance per surface
• Rectangular and circular configurations available—from miniature 8.0 × 4.0 mm elements to large-format 53.0 × 50.8 mm optics—supporting integration into compact OEM modules or macro-scale optical benches
• Center thickness (Tc) and edge thickness (Te) tightly controlled to ±0.05 mm, ensuring mechanical stability and predictable mounting behavior in kinematic or flexure-based lens holders
• Surface quality rated to 40–20 scratch-dig per MIL-PRF-13830B, with polished surfaces verified via automated dark-field inspection
• Compliant with RoHS 2011/65/EU and REACH (EC) No. 1907/2006 directives; documentation includes material safety data summaries and EU Declaration of Conformity

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Meg1012 lens is compatible with standard optomechanical mounts—including SM1-threaded lens tubes, kinematic mirror mounts with adjustable tilt, and custom-machined aluminum or stainless-steel lens cells. Its rectangular form factor enables direct integration into multi-lens arrays for structured light projection or laser line generators. All BK7 substrates exhibit low birefringence (<5 nm/cm) and thermal expansion coefficient of 7.1 × 10⁻⁶ /°C, making them suitable for temperature-stable interferometric setups. Coated variants meet ISO 9211-3 requirements for environmental durability, having passed 10-cycle humidity (95% RH, 40°C), abrasion (CS-10 wheel, 500 g load), and adhesion (ASTM D3359 Tape Test, Class 5A) testing. For regulated environments—including ISO 17025-accredited calibration labs—the lenses support full traceability via unique serialized part numbers (e.g., GL16-10×10-050-VIS) and accompanying Certificate of Conformance (CoC) with metrology data.

Software & Data Management

While the Meg1012 is a passive optical component, its performance is fully characterizable within industry-standard optical design platforms. Zemax OpticStudio™, CODE V®, and FRED® libraries include validated BK7 material models and surface prescription data aligned with published R₁, Tc, and BFL values. Each product variant ships with a digital datasheet containing exact sagitta profiles, transmission curves (measured per ISO 9050), and polarization-dependent transmission data for s- and p-polarized incidence at 0° and 45° AOI. Customers may request additional metrology reports—including interferometric phase maps (Zygo Verifire™), spectral transmittance (PerkinElmer Lambda 950), and surface roughness (Wyko NT1100)—under NDA, supporting GxP-compliant validation protocols. All documentation conforms to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records when delivered via secure client portal.

Applications

• Laser beam shaping: Generating uniform line illumination for confocal microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), and scanning cytometry
• Astigmatism compensation in multi-element imaging systems—particularly in telecentric lenses and machine vision optics
• Optical trapping and tweezers: Creating elongated potential wells for 1D particle confinement in microfluidic channels
• Spectroscopic slit illumination: Coupling broadband sources into monochromators or spectrometers with minimized spatial dispersion
• Interferometry: Serving as reference optics in Twyman-Green or Mach-Zehnder configurations where asymmetric wavefront control is required
• OEM instrumentation: Embedded in portable Raman spectrometers, gas analyzers, and LIDAR receivers where space-constrained, high-reproducibility beam expansion is critical

FAQ

What is the difference between a plano-concave cylindrical lens and a spherical concave lens?
A plano-concave cylindrical lens diverges light in only one axis, preserving collimation in the orthogonal plane; a spherical concave lens diverges uniformly in all directions.
Can I use the Meg1012 lens with ultraviolet (UV) or deep-UV sources?
Standard BK7 substrates exhibit strong absorption below 350 nm; for UV applications, fused silica variants are available upon request—contact technical support for custom quoting.
How is focal length defined for cylindrical lenses?
Focal length (EFL) refers to the distance from the lens’s curved surface to the line focus formed along the cylindrical axis; it follows the thin-lens approximation: f = R / (n − 1), where R is the radius of curvature and n is the refractive index at the operating wavelength.
Are custom diameters, curvatures, or materials available?
Yes—MiXran offers custom geometries including elliptical cylinders, hybrid aspheric-cylindrical designs, and alternative substrates (e.g., CaF₂, SF10, fused silica); lead time and MOQ apply.
Do coated lenses require special cleaning procedures?
Yes—BBAR-coated optics must be cleaned using solvent-rinsed lens tissue and spectroscopic-grade acetone or isopropanol; avoid abrasive wipes or ultrasonic baths unless validated for the specific coating stack.