Antares Optics ...quality and precision

Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ) Secondary mirrors 1) Does Antares Optics really sell "1/30 wave" flats? 2) Does Antares Optics certify every mirror sold? Does it give Zygo interferograms with every mirror? 3) What coating does Antares Optics offer on their secondary mirrors? 4) What is the reflectivity of Antares Optics secondary coatings? 5) I Want to Strip the coating off my old mirror. How can I do this? 6) Can I order special size secondary mirrors or custom optical components? 7) How accurate should my secondary mirror be? As good or better than my primary mirror? 8) Will Antares Optics ship my mirror to my telescope maker if I request them to? 9) Will Antares Optics test my existing mirror before I commit to buying a new one? 1) Does Antares Optics really sell "1/30 wave" flats? Yes we do. We are an Ultra Precision Optics Manufacturer. We do not resell optics produced in China. Ariel/Antares Optics produces custom optics for Lockheed, Northrop, JPL, NASA, and Zygo. (Yes, we make gauges for the gauge company). Our new 12 inch phase measuring interferometer is 1/30 wave PV over it's 12 inch (TF) aperture. When measuring a small diameter on its reference surface (RF) we read between 1/50 - 1/100 wave PV. More than adequate for measuring 1/20 or 1/30 wave PV on 1 - 4 inch secondary mirrors. Our competitors don't want to you to understand this concept. They're response: These claims are outlandish & impossible. No one can produce them. We can't provide these test results, so don't ask for them. Our customers mentioned above have the capability to test these claims. They can, and they do. We deliver. 2) Does Antares Optics certify every mirror it sells. Does it give Zygo interferograms with every mirror? Yes we do. Antares Optics was the first to certify every secondary mirror we sell. We own several Zygo Phase Measuring interferometers, including our new 12 inch GPI. (see about us) Most other suppliers use the sample method. Averaging doesn't work consistently. How do we know this? We block, grind, and polish all substrates. We test all substrates individually after polishing. Some substrates spring due to the release of stress created by the blocking procedure. We reject polished substrates with a less than 1/15 wave PV value. These are re-polished to correct power, or stigmatism. Then and only then, do we send them to coating. Once coated ,we measure the flatness again to make sure the coating process was successful. 3) What coating does Antares Optics offer on their secondary mirrors? Our fine annealed Pyrex and Fused Silica Quartz substrates are all precision made. Very sought after by other suppliers and Telescope makers. The polished flats are coated with enhanced aluminum (EAL). Using E beam deposition, with ion assist. The result is a durable and highly reflective (96-98%) finish. Coating curve certification included. We sell to many customers, large and small alike. 4) What is the reflectivity of Antares Optics secondary coatings? Enhanced aluminum coating, with better than 96%-98% reflectance. Using E beam deposition, with ion assist. Coating curve certification included. 5) I Want to Strip the coating off my old mirror. How can I do this? These coatings are designed to be durable & tough. Under the aluminum is a layer of chromium. A bonding agent to promote good adhesion of the aluminum. On top of the aluminum there are two layers of dielectric, (TiO2, &SiO2) They protect the aluminum from corrosion and gives it a reflectance boost. That's how Enhanced Aluminum (EAL) achieves 96% reflectance. Our answer to this question: Leave this to your coater. They are well experienced with stripping off coatings. 6) Can I order a special size secondary mirror? Of course! For the right price, we can produce almost any optical component. Custom or catalog. Ariel & Antares Optics are of the finest precision plano optics manufacturers in the world. If we say we can't make it, good luck finding someone that can. 7) How accurate should my secondary mirror be? As good or better than my primary mirror? There are a few schools of thought regarding this. Please read, The advantages of a nearly perfect secondary mirror on the website. Short answer: The secondary should be twice as accurate as the Primary. 8) Will Antares Optics ship my mirror to my telescope maker if I request them to? Yes, of course. We ship to the finest telescope makers in the world. Just give us your shipping instructions and notify your OEM that they can expect a package. 9) Will Antares Optics test my existing mirror before I commit to buying a new one? Yes we will do this for most domestic customers, if the privilege is not abused. From time to time, you may find your present mirror is adequate for your array. There may be no need to upgrade, but the final choice is yours. (last updated Sept. 7, 2007)