Off-Axis Parabolic Mirrors
Featured Product from Avantier Inc.
Avantier manufactures custom and stock OAP mirrors in aluminum, nickel-plated aluminum, fused silica, Zerodur, ULE, and silicon carbide, supporting applications from compact infrared instruments to large-aperture spaceborne optical systems.
Key Capabilities Why Choose OAPs
- Apertures from 0.4 mm to 600 mm
- Aluminum, Zerodur, ULE, SiC
- Diamond Turning and Precision Polishing
- Surface Figure up to λ/40
- Custom Coatings for UV–LWIR
Custom Manufacturing Capabilities
Material selection depends on wavelength, thermal stability, weight, and environmental requirements.
| Material | Thermal Stability | Lightweighting Potential | Relative Cost | Typical Application |
| Aluminum | Low | Excellent | Low | IR Systems |
| Electroless Nickel-Plated Aluminum | Medium | Excellent | Low-Mid | Precision IR Optics, Laser Systems |
| Fused Silica | Good | Moderate | Mid | Visible Imaging |
| Zerodur | Excellent | Moderate | Mid-High | Astronomy |
| ULE Glass | Excellent | Moderate | Mid-High | Space Telescopes, Ultra-Stable Imaging |
| SiC | Excellent | Excellent | High | Space Optics |
Surface quality depends on application sensitivity, wavelength range, and tolerance for scatter or wavefront error.
| Parameter | Typical Capability |
| Surface Figure Error | λ/4 to λ/40 PV |
| Surface Roughness | <10 nm to <1 nm Ra |
| Slope Error | <10 µrad to <1 µrad |
Reflective coatings are selected based on wavelength range, reflectivity requirements, and environmental durability, Custom coatings are available for laser, aerospace, and specialty optical applications.
| Coating | Spectral Range |
| Protected Aluminum | UV–NIR |
| Protected Silver | Visible–NIR |
| Enhanced Silver | Visible–NIR |
| Gold | IR |
| Enhanced Gold | MWIR–LWIR |
Manufacturing and Metrology
OAP mirrors are produced using diamond turning for aluminum and NiP aluminum substrates, precision polishing for fused silica, Zerodur, and ULE, and MRF or IBF for figure correction and ultra-precision finishing on glass, ceramic, and space optics.
Metrology methods include interferometry, computer generated hologram (CGH) testing, deflectometry, and optical profilometry, with verification requirements often becoming a significant cost driver for large-aperture and high-precision mirrors.
Mechanical Options
- Wedge and Non-Wedge Designs
- Precision Mounting Holes
- Alignment Flats
- Datum Surfaces
- Lightweighted Structures
- Custom Mounting Interfaces
Avantier operates fabrication, coating, and metrology processes in-house, supporting OAP mirror production from prototype through volume manufacturing. This integrated approach ensures tight tolerances and consistent performance across even the most demanding optical systems.
Related Content
Case Study – Large OAP Mirrors
Enhancing Telescope Image Clarity with Parabolic Mirrors
Choosing Between Parabolic and Spherical Mirrors
OAP Mirrors: Applications Across Industries
Precision Fabrication and Integration of Off-Axis Parabolic Mirrors
