Optical Materials Day

Thursday 14 April 2016 at Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, UK.

Optical materials such as optical glass, fused silica, calcium fluoride and glass for infrared (IR) wavelengths are the enabling materials for many diverse optical technologies. The transparency of a glass, and its ability to refract light precisely, enables high resolution imaging. Optical materials are available for applications in the wavelength range from ultraviolet and visible light, up to near and middle infrared. For designing high quality optical systems for a wide range of wavelengths, combinations of different optical glass are necessary due to dispersion.

The large variety of applications makes it essential to develop different types of glass with specific optical properties. Additionally, some materials such as fused silica, calcium fluoride and optical infrared glass, also open wavelengths in the UV and IR range. Designing with high transmission rate and blocking of light in a specific wavelength range can be performed by use of optical filters.

Information about material types, production, optical properties as well as its characterization methods helps to determine the right material for individual applications. This event offers considerable depth of information about optical materials, particularly optical glass, and gives an overview of upcoming development trends. Furthermore the participants get information about long-term availability of the different materials.

Target audience:
Optical component and system designers, production and materials engineers and optical technology managers from companies who develop and produce optical components and systems or whose products have a high reliance on such products.

The EPSRC Centre in Ultra Precision is pleased to be collaborating with Optence e.V (Germany) to deliver this one day meeting in the UK in conjunction with SCHOTT AG, Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KG and Hellma Materials GmbH.

Optence is a photonic network in Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate, whose members represent the whole optical value added chain from materials over optical components to optical systems and machines. It has successfully delivered this one day meeting over the past three years in Europe. Its members are very interested in extending contacts in Europe, therefore holding this event in the UK is an ideal opportunity to initiate and support mutual contacts between the UK photonic industry, UK photonic networks and German companies and networks.

Download Agenda How to Reach Cranfield University

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