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Press Release Detail: Thorlabs Acquires THz Optical Filters from Lake Shore Cryotronics, Inc. Newton, NJ - January 31, 2014 - Thorlabs announced today the acquisition of the Terahertz Optical Filter product line from Lake Shore Cryotronics, Inc. Over the past five years, through a combination of organic growth initiatives and acquisitions, Thorlabs has added optics, fiber, detectors, laser sources, and instrumentation to its product portfolio that support photonics applications and research in the mid-IR and THz spectral regions. The new line of THz filters will be available from stock with center wavelengths from 27 to 500 µm (about 11 THz to 600 GHz) and clear apertures of Ø19.1 mm, Ø25.0 mm, or Ø33.1 mm. Made to withstand cryogenic temperatures, thermal cycling, high gamma radiation, vacuum pressure cycles, and vibration, each filter is designed with a cross-mesh pattern to reject unwanted out-of-band radiation due to reflection and destructive interference. These filters incorporate metal mesh frequency-selective surfaces (FSS), which are comprised of thin metal films patterned with geometric holes. Based on the size and features of the pattern, the material will resonate with some frequencies and reject others. The patterns utilized in this new line of THz filters have been designed and simulated using FSS modeling software to provide improved performance over standard cross mesh patterns. The manufacturing of the gold mesh patterns is accomplished using thin film metal depositions and photolithography. “The manufacturing method is compatible with our existing capabilities in precision-patterned-materials,” said Dave Beatson, General Manager of Thorlabs’ Quantum Electronics group in Jessup, MD. “We are excited about the rapid growth of these product lines, which include reticles, calibration targets, and various metal patterns on optical components.” About Lakeshore Cryotronics: Lake Shore is a leading global innovator in measurement and control solutions that drive the discovery and development of new materials for tomorrow’s technologies. In electronics, clean energy, nanotechnology, and many other applications, Lake Shore provides the products and systems temperature and magnetic field conditions. Serving the needs of the research community since 1968, Lake Shore has grown its product solutions to keep pace with evolving interests in scientific exploration, from the physics lab to deep space. Through our international technical service and sales teams, we foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, and a commitment to the pursuit of science. About Thorlabs: Thorlabs, a vertically integrated photonics products manufacturer, was founded in 1989 to serve the laser and electro-optics research market. As that market has spawned a multitude of technical innovations, Thorlabs has extended its core competencies in an effort to play an ever increasing role serving the Photonics Industry at the research end, as well as the industrial, life science, medical, and defense segments. The organization’s highly integrated and diverse manufacturing assets include semiconductor fabrication of Fabry-Perot, DFB, and VCSEL lasers, fiber towers for drawing both silica and fluoride glass optical fibers, MBE crystal growth machines, extensive glass and metal fabrication facilities, advanced thin film deposition capabilities, and optomechanical and optoelectronic shops.