Drawing-based optical sourcing
Custom Plano-Concave Lenses
Specify custom plano-concave lenses for beam expansion and optical systems requiring a negative-power element. A flat surface and a concave spherical surface make the mechanical orientation and powered-surface definition easy to identify on a drawing.
Keep the focal-length sign and radius convention explicit
State the negative effective focal length at the design wavelength and provide the concave radius with the drawing sign convention. Diameter, center thickness, edge thickness and the usable clear aperture determine how the element fits into the beam path.
For a beam-expander project, send the input beam, target output size, divergence and spacing available for the positive element. These system inputs help review the negative lens and coating together. A component quote and a complete beam-expander design have different deliverables.
One negative lens or a specified optical pair?
An individual plano-concave lens changes beam divergence. A controlled output beam generally requires a defined optical arrangement, with element focal lengths and separation evaluated together. Include the companion lens or system prescription when requesting matched components.
Applications and system inputs
- Beam-expander negative elements
- Illumination beam spreading
- Drawing-defined negative-power optical groups
Share the operating conditions and required optical performance for your application. Material, geometry and inspection scope are reviewed together before quotation.
Plano-Concave Lenses specification checklist
The table identifies the inputs needed to review this lens family. The approved drawing and quotation define the supplied configuration, tolerances and documentation.
| Specification | Information for your drawing or RFQ |
|---|---|
| Optical power | Negative EFL and reference wavelength |
| Geometry | Concave radius, diameter, center and edge thickness |
| System input | Beam diameter, divergence and companion-element spacing |
| Material | Named glass or fused-silica grade and permitted alternatives |
| Coating | Passband, reflectance target and exposed surfaces |
| Acceptance | Surface quality, centration, edge bevel and clear aperture |
Send a complete lens RFQ
- Attach the controlled optical drawing or system layout, including revision and units.
- State the wavelength, substrate grade, coating and operating environment.
- Identify optical and mechanical acceptance limits and required test records.
- Provide prototype quantity, expected production demand and requested delivery date.
Include the destination market, packaging requirements and whether you need loose elements, a matched set or a mounted assembly. If a parameter is still open, identify it as a design-review item.
Send the drawing and application inputs so the selected manufacturing route can be reviewed. Material availability, MOQ, lead time and achievable tolerances are confirmed for your project.
Plano-Concave Lenses FAQ
What should I send for a beam-expander RFQ?
Include wavelength, input beam, expansion ratio, target divergence and the optical layout or available package. Identify whether you need elements or a complete assembly.
Why specify edge thickness as well as center thickness?
The concave form can have a much thicker edge than center. Both dimensions affect the mount, handling and usable aperture.