LightWorks specializes in the manufacture of precision optical assemblies that have demanding requirements for fabrication, assembly, alignment, integration and test. We manufacture advanced optical products for Defense, Space, and Commercial applications in prototype and low-to-medium rate production quantities. The following are examples of LightWorks accomplishments.

Precision Space-borne Lens Assembly LightWorks designed, manufactured and tested this complex, 8 inch aperture, F/1.5, rad hard, space-based objective and reimaging optics under contract to TRW. The optics includes a quarter wave plate, a 1 nm bandpass filter, and a polarization beamsplitter. The optics was designed to meet demanding line-of-sight stability, stray light, and polarization requirements. It is ruggedized for launch vibration and space thermal and radiation environments. LightWorks and TRW jointly performed configuration trade studies and analysis leading to selection of this design as the best overall system solution.

Diamond Turned Telescope LightWorks makes extensive use of diamond turning technology as a tool to fabricate precision optical surfaces and to accomplish precision alignments. For this multi-spectral (VIS/MWIR/LWIR) telescope, LightWorks worked with the customer to define the specifications and critical interfaces for the optics, gimbals, and dewar/detector assemblies. These interfaces presented design challenges because of the wide range of coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE’s) and the need to perform over a wide range of temperatures in a dynamic aircraft environment. LightWorks successfully designed, manufactured and delivered these telescopes on a demanding schedule.

Precision Fluorescence Microscope LightWorks designed this fluorescence microscope system to meet performance and interface specifications provided by the customer. The system includes an oblique laser illumination subassembly that met stringent dimensional and uniformity requirements. The near diffraction limited, low f-number, long working distance objective and relay optics image the target onto a CCD camera for processing. Minimizing cross talk between pixels and isolation of the illumination energy from the signal were key design challenges. The system also includes remote controlled filter wheel, auto-focus and auto-tilt correction subassemblies.

Multi-Channel Illuminator / Imager Inspection Equipment For this complex optical assembly, which includes over 65 precision optical elements, LightWorks developed the mechanical design and packaging of a customer furnished optical design. LightWorks also worked concurrently with the customer to develop the assembly, integration and test methods and designed the alignment tooling and test equipment required to satisfy the demanding performance requirements. LightWorks manufactured and delivered complete, aligned and tested prototype assemblies.

Mars Color Imager Optics Under contract to Malin Space Science Systems, LightWorks will design and manufacture this wide angle optical assembly for the Mars Color Imager (MARCI) instrument on the Mars 2005 mission. This wide angle system provides images in both the UV and visible spectrums. LightWorks has extensive experience with the design and manufacture of high quality optics for space. We are also providing the precision optical mirrors for the ½-meter aperture High Resolution Imaging Sensor (HiRISE) Telescope on the Mars 2005 mission. LightWorks recently delivered the precision mirrors for the Deep Impact telescope.

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