Edmund Optics^®

Learn how to assemble and align a Michelson Interferometer using standard lab components from Edmund Optics. This step-by-step guide covers required parts, setup instructions, and alignment tips for producing interference fringes to measure distance, wavelength, or refractive index changes in an accessible lab environment.

This lab shows how two machine vision lenses with the same core specifications can perform very differently in reality.

Think you don't need telecentric illumination in machine vision applications? Find out why you need telecentric illumination at Edmund Optics.

Beam expanders can be used in reverse to decrease a laser beam's diameter, but divergence will be increased.

The diameter of a laser highly affects an optic’s laser induced damage (LIDT) as beam diameter directly impacts the probability of laser damage.

Metrology is critical for ensuring that optical components consistently meet their desired specifications, especially in laser applications.

Explore a wide selection of machine vision lighting at Edmund Optics from top brands and download free 3D printed mounts for various lighting geometries.

Superpolished optics with ultra-low surface roughness minimize scatter in optical systems, which is critical in sensitive laser applications.

Spherical aberrations occur in any spherical optic and causes system performance to decrease. Learn how spherical aberration compensation plates can help at Edmund Optics.

Learn why the bulk laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of glass is significantly different than the LIDT optical components with coatings, such as AR thin films.

Learn how to choose the right combination of fluorescence filters for your fluorophores and optical requirements

Imaging lenses and sensors must be paired together with special attention.

Discover the different types of testing targets and their ideal applications, advantages, limitations, equations, and examples at Edmund Optics.

There are several metrics used to describe the quality of a laser beam including the M2 factor, the beam parameter product, and power in the bucket

The short pulse durations of ultrafast lasers make them interact with optical components differently, impacting the optic’s laser damage threshold.

Do you use ray tracing on a regular basis? Learn more about the calculations aspect, along with steps and software at Edmund Optics.

Are you trying to gauge depth of field in your imaging system? Take a closer look at this article on depth of field calculations at Edmund Optics.

Laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) denotes the maximum laser fluence an optical component can withstand with an acceptable amount of risk.

Compare Coherent Laser specifications with the Edmund Optics selection guide.

Learn how to navigate the many available options for shaping the irradiance profile and phase of laser beams to maximize your laser system's performance.

Laser beam expanders are critical for reducing power density, minimizing beam diameter at a distance, and minimizing focused laser spot size.

Understanding the polarization of laser light is critical for many applications, as polarization impacts reflectance, focusing the beam, and other key behaviors.

Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are IR lasers that utilize tens or hundreds of quantum wells to decouple the emission wavelength from the bandgap energy.

Hard coatings provide many advantages compared to traditional soft coated optics. Learn more about the coating differences and benefits at Edmund Optics.

Not all optical components are tested for laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) and testing methods differ, resulting in different types of LIDT specifications.

Are you looking for ways to make cost effective optical designs? Find more information on selecting specifications and using tolerancing schemes at Edmund Optics.

Reflective objectives use mirrors to focus light or form an image. Learn more about the different types and benefits of reflective objectives at Edmund Optics.

Master the fundamentals of ultrafast lasers and how to choose optics that can withstand their high powers and short pulse durations.

Want to learn how to extend a lens beyond its limits in an application? Learn more about spacers, shims, and focal length extenders at Edmund Optics.