Beamsplitter Assemblies

Activated Covalent Bonding

Activated Covalent Bonding (ACB) technology, REO’s proprietary adhesive-free method of bonding optical components, can be used to produce a wide array of monolithic visible and IR optical assemblies, such as cube beamsplitters, x-cubes, and beam combiners and separators.  ACB delivers bond strength matching that of the bulk material, but unlike traditional gluing, introduces essentially no wavefront distortion, minimizes scatter and absorption. This bonding approach substantially improves component laser damage resistance and operational lifetime. It can also be used for applications at wavelengths where adhesives are not transmission.

Adhesive Bonding

REO utilizes a range of adhesive technologies for bonding optical components and optomechanics. UV curing adhesives often provide the most straightforward solution with a nearly instantaneous tack-and-cure process that is desirable for active alignment. However, REO possesses deep expertise in many other adhesive types, including thermal curing, multiple-component chemical curing, and silicone based RTV’s, each of which provide advantages for specific applications. REO takes care to understand potential issues with outgassing, material compatibility, surface preparation, wavefront distortion, and other factors that can affect the long-term performance of adhesive-bonded assemblies.

Assembly Cleanroom Facilities

Our optomechanical assembly areas includes a self-contained ISO 14644-1 certified Class 5 assembly suite. The cleanroom is only accessible through an airlock with an air shower, guaranteeing minimal particulates and foreign object debris throughout the alignment and assembly processes. 

To ensure product reliability at every step, our metrology and automated cleaning equipment are also located within a controlled cleanroom environment. 

Cleaning and Contamination Control

REO maintains the strictest standards for cleanliness of the optical and mechanical components in our assemblies. Separate multiple-bath ultrasonic cleaning systems are used for optical and mechanical components, with vacuum baking processes to ensure components are fully outgassed prior to assembly. Parts inventory, cleaning, and kitting, as well as inspection and packaging, are all maintained within a cleanroom environment.