Products Home / Optical Elements / Optical Lenses / Spherical Singlet Lenses / Plano-Concave Spherical Lenses / UV Fused Silica Plano-Concave Spherical Lenses / UV Fused Silica Plano-Concave Lenses, UncoatedUV Fused Silica Plano-Concave Lenses, Uncoated
- UV Grade Fused Silica Substrate
- Diverges Collimated Incident Light
- Wavelength Range: 185 nm to 2.1 µm
LC4357
(Ø1/2")
LC4291
(Ø8 mm)
LC4573
(Ø6 mm)
LC4513
(Ø1")
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| Common Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Lens Shape | Plano/Concave |
| Substrate Material | UV Grade Fused Silica |
| Wavelength Rangea | 185 nm - 2.1 μm |
| Diameters Available | 5 mm, 6 mm, 1/2", or 1" |
| Diameter Tolerance | +0.00 mm / -0.10 mm |
| Thickness Tolerance | ±0.1 mm |
| Focal Length Tolerance | ±1% |
| Design Wavelength | 588 nm |
| Index of Refraction (@ Design λ) | 1.460 |
| Surface Quality | 40-20 Scratch-Dig |
| Surface Flatness (Plano Side) |
λ/2 |
| Spherical Surface Power (Concave Side)b |
3λ/2 |
| Surface Irregularity (Peak to Valley) |
λ/4 |
| Clear Aperture | >90% of Diameter |
| Centration | ≤3 arcmin |
Features
- 4 Different Diameters Available: 6 mm, 8 mm, 1/2", or 1"
- Wavelength Range: 185 nm - 2.1 μm (Uncoated)
- Focal Lengths Available from -10.0 to -200.0 mm
- Fabricated from UV Grade Fused Silica
- Form Virtual Images
Thorlabs' UV Grade Fused Silica Plano-Concave lenses are 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.
Plano-concave lenses have negative focal lengths, making them useful for a wide range of applications. They are commonly used to diverge a collimated incident beam; in such cases the collimated light source should be incident on the curved surface to minimize spherical aberrations. Plano-concave lenses, which produce virtual images, are used as the entrance optic in Galilean-type beam expanders; this lens provides the desired divergence and then a doublet is used to recollimate the beam. In optical systems, it is common for researchers to choose their optics carefully so that the aberrations introduced by the positive- and negative-focal-length lenses approximately cancel. Still others use these lenses in pairs to increase the effective focal length of a converging lens.
When deciding between a plano-concave lens and a bi-concave lens, both of which cause collimated incident light to diverge, it is usually preferable to choose a plano-concave lens if the desired absolute magnification is either less than 0.2 or greater than 5. Between these two values, bi-concave lenses are generally preferred.
Thorlabs offers these plano-concave lenses in sizes ranging from Ø6 mm to Ø1". Each size is compatible with a multitude of Thorlabs lens mounts. Please see the Mounting Options tab for details.
| Plano-Concave Lens Selection Guide | |
|---|---|
| N-BK7 | |
| N-SF11 | |
| UV Fused Silica | |
| CaF2 | |
| ZnSe | -F (8 - 12 µm) |
Custom Coatings are also available. Please contact our technical support staff for a quote.
 Zemax Files |
|---|
| Click on the red Document icon next to the item numbers below to access the Zemax file download. Our entire Zemax Catalog is also available. |
| Quick Links to Other Spherical Singlets | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plano-Convex | Bi-Convex | Best Form | Plano-Concave | Bi-Concave | Positive Meniscus | Negative Meniscus |
Below is the transmission curve for a 10 mm thick uncoated sample of UV fused silica when the incident light is normal to the surface. Please note that this is the measured transmission, including surface reflections.
Click Here for Raw Data
Click to Enlarge
| Recommended Mounting Options for Thorlabs Lenses | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item # | Mounts for Ø2 mm to Ø10 mm Optics | |
| Imperial | Metric | |
| (Various) | Fixed Lens Mounts and Mini-Series Fixed Lens Mounts for Small Optics, Ø5 mm to Ø10 mm | |
| (Various) | Small Optic Adapters for Use with Standard Fixed Lens Mounts, Ø2 mm to Ø10 mm | |
| Item # | Mounts for Ø1/2" (Ø12.7 mm) Optics | |
| Imperial | Metric | |
| LMR05 | LMR05/M | Fixed Lens Mount for Ø1/2" Optics |
| MLH05 | MLH05/M | Mini-Series Fixed Lens Mount for Ø1/2" Optics |
| LM05XY | LM05XY/M | Translating Lens Mount for Ø1/2" Optics |
| SCP05 | 16 mm Cage System, XY Translation Mount for Ø1/2" Optics | |
| (Various) | Ø1/2" Lens Tubes, Optional SM05RRC Retaining Ring for High-Curvature Lenses (See Below) |
|
| Item # | Mounts for Ø1" (Ø25.4 mm) Optics | |
| Imperial | Metric | |
| LMR1 | LMR1/M | Fixed Lens Mount for Ø1" Optics |
| LM1XY | LM1XY/M | Translating Lens Mount for Ø1" Optics |
| ST1XY-S | ST1XY-S/M | Translating Lens Mount with Micrometer Drives (Other Drives Available) |
| CXY1A | 30 mm Cage System, XY Translation Mount for Ø1" Optics | |
| (Various) | Ø1" Lens Tubes, Optional SM1RRC Retaining Ring for High-Curvature Lenses (See Below) |
|
| Item # | Mount for Ø1.5" Optics | |
| Imperial | Metric | |
| LMR1.5 | LMR1.5/M | Fixed Lens Mount for Ø1.5" Optics |
| (Various) | Ø1.5" Lens Tubes, Optional SM1.5RR Retaining Ring for Ø1.5" Lens Tubes and Mounts |
|
| Item # | Mounts for Ø2" (Ø50.8 mm) Optics | |
| Imperial | Metric | |
| LMR2 | LMR2/M | Fixed Lens Mount for Ø2" Optics |
| LM2XY | LM2XY/M | Translating Lens Mount for Ø2" Optics |
| CXY2 | 60 mm Cage System, XY Translation Mount for Ø2" Optics |
|
| (Various) | Ø2" Lens Tubes, Optional SM2RRC Retaining Ring for High-Curvature Lenses (See Below) |
|
| Item # | Adjustable Optic Mounts | |
| Imperial | Metric | |
| LH1 | LH1/M | Adjustable Mount for Ø0.28" (Ø7.1 mm) to Ø1.80" (Ø45.7 mm) Optics |
| LH2 | LH2/M | Adjustable Mount for Ø0.77" (Ø19.6 mm) to Ø2.28" (Ø57.9 mm) Optics |
| VG100 | VG100/M | Adjustable Clamp for Ø0.5" (Ø13 mm) to Ø3.5" (Ø89 mm) Optics |
| SCL03 | SCL03/M | Self-Centering Mount for Ø0.15" (Ø3.8 mm) to Ø1.77" (Ø45.0 mm) Optics |
| SCL04 | SCL04/M | Self-Centering Mount for Ø0.15" (Ø3.8 mm) to Ø3.00" (Ø76.2 mm) Optics |
| LH160C | LH160C/M | Adjustable Mount for 60 mm Cage Systems, Ø0.50" (Ø13 mm) to Ø2.00" (Ø50.8 mm) Optics |
| SCL60C | SCL60C/M | 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.
| Posted Comments: | |
Marshall Scott
(posted 2019-07-10 12:24:21.47) It's interesting that you have UVFS f = -150 mm hidden away in the meniscus lenses, but no -150 in plano concave. It would be nice to be able to filter/find lenses by focal length and other parameters (glass type, diameter, etc). It would make my life easier if I didn't have to search all the different pages when I don't care about the shape factor. nbayconich
(posted 2019-07-12 10:32:36.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs and thank you for your feedback. We appreciate suggestions from our customers and are open to new ideas to make it easier for our customers to find our products. I will forward your suggestion to our webteam for future consideration. Tyler
(posted 2008-04-09 15:17:54.0) Response from Tyler at Thorlabs: The surface specifications for these lenses are Irregularity: 1/2 ring and Power: 3 ring. Thank you for your interest in our products. user
(posted 2008-04-09 00:18:01.0) what is the surface accuracy of these lenses? |
| Item # | Diameter | Focal Length | Dioptera | Radius of Curvature | Center Thickness | Edge Thicknessb | Back Focal Length | Reference Drawing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LC4924 | 1/2" | -20.0 mm | -50.0 | -9.2 mm | 2.0 mm | 4.5 mm | -21.4 mm |  |
| LC4210 | 1/2" | -25.0 mm | -40.0 | -11.5 mm | 3.0 mm | 4.9 mm | -27.1 mm | |
| LC4796 | 1/2" | -30.0 mm | -33.3 | -13.8 mm | 3.0 mm | 4.6 mm | -32.1 mm | |
| LC4357 | 1/2" | -50.0 mm | -20.0 | -23.0 mm | 3.5 mm | 4.4 mm | -52.4 mm | |
| LC4413 | 1/2" | -75.0 mm | -13.3 | -34.5 mm | 3.5 mm | 4.1 mm | -77.4 mm | |
| LC4232 | 1/2" | -100.0 mm | -10.0 | -46.0 mm | 3.5 mm | 3.9 mm | -102.4 mm | |
| LC4918 | 1/2" | -200.0 mm | -5.0 | -92.0 mm | 4.0 mm | 4.2 mm | -202.7 mm |
| Item # | Diameter | Focal Length | Dioptera | Radius of Curvature | Center Thickness | Edge Thicknessb | Back Focal Length | Reference Drawing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LC4252c | 1" | -30.0 mm | -33.3 | -13.8 mm | 3.0 mm | 11.4 mm | -32.1 mm | |
| LC4513d | 1" | -75.0 mm | -13.3 | -34.5 mm | 3.5 mm | 5.9 mm | -77.4 mm | |
| LC4888d | 1" | -100.0 mm | -10.0 | -46.0 mm | 3.5 mm | 5.3 mm | -102.4 mm |
 UV Fused Silica, Uncoated |