Custom Coatings are also available. Please contact our technical support staff for a quote.
Features
5 Different Diameters Available: Ø5 mm, Ø6 mm, Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø2"
Wavelength Range: 185 nm - 2.1 μm (Uncoated)
Focal Lengths Available from 10.0 - 1000.0 mm
Fabricated from UV Grade Fused Silica
Thorlabs' UV Grade Fused Silica Bi-Convex Lenses are available here uncoated. UV-grade fused silica offers high transmission in the deep UV and exhibits virtually no laser-induced fluorescence (as measured at 193 nm), making it an ideal choice for applications from the UV to the near IR. In addition, UV fused silica has better homogeneity and a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than N-BK7.
Bi-convex lenses are popular for many finite imaging applications. Both surfaces are spherical and have the same radius of curvature, minimizing aberrations in situations where the object and image distances are equal or nearly equal. As a guideline, bi-convex lenses are the best choice for minimizing aberrations if the conjugate ratio (object distance : image distance) is between 5:1 and 1:5. Outside this range, plano-convex lenses are usually preferred.
Thorlabs offers these bi-convex lenses in sizes ranging from Ø5 mm to Ø2". Each size is compatible with a multitude of Thorlabs lens mounts. Please see the Mounting Options tab for details.
Below is the transmission curve for a 10 mm thick uncoated sample of UV fused silica when the incident ilght is normal to the surface. Please note that this is the measured transmission, including surface reflections.
Self-Centering Mount for 60 mm Cage Systems, Ø0.15" (Ø3.8 mm) to Ø1.77" (Ø45.0 mm) Optics
Mounting High-Curvature Optics
Thorlabs' retaining rings are used to secure unmounted optics within lens tubes or optic mounts. These rings are secured in position using a compatible spanner wrench. For flat or low-curvature optics, standard retaining rings manufactured from anodized aluminum are available from Ø5 mm to Ø4". For high-curvature optics, extra-thick retaining rings are available in Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø2" sizes.
Extra-thick retaining rings offer several features that aid in mounting high-curvature optics such as aspheric lenses, short-focal-length plano-convex lenses, and condenser lenses. As shown in the animation to the right, the guide flange of the spanner wrench will collide with the surface of high-curvature lenses when using a standard retaining ring, potentially scratching the optic. This contact also creates a gap between the spanner wrench and retaining ring, preventing the ring from tightening correctly. Extra-thick retaining rings provide the necessary clearance for the spanner wrench to secure the lens without coming into contact with the optic surface.