ISO 9001 - AS 9100 - ITAR Standard & Custom Optical Filters and Coatings

 

Thomas Grubb: Ireland's Pioneer of Telescope Design
Thomas Grubb: Ireland's Pioneer of Telescope Design

Published by Andover Corporation on March 17th, 2024

This St. Patrick's Day, we explore the life and contributions of Ireland's own Thomas Grubb, a pioneer in optical engineering during the Victorian era.

Optical Engineering, telescope, astronomy, optics in history

Women in Optics: María Josefa Yzuel
Women in Optics: María Josefa Yzuel

Published by Isabella Mikols on March 8th, 2024

In this blog, Andover Corporation continues its celebration of women pioneers in optics by turning the spotlight on María Josefa Yzuel. A renowned Spanish scientist, she has been a pioneer in both research and teaching. Dr. Yzuel is a respected leader and role model in the international optics society and a longstanding advocate for the promotion of women in STEM disciplines.

women in optics, Maria Yzuel

Andover's Technology Improvements
Andover's Technology Improvements

Published by Nick Sullivan on March 31st, 2023

 

Underwater Photography
Underwater Photography

Published by Isabella Mikols on October 5th, 2022

As the name suggests, Underwater Photography is the process of taking images while submerged. Often done by scuba divers, it is also practiced by surface swimmers and specialized boats.

In addition to being a visual art form, underwater photography is used to capture a vast array of data that is utilized by biologists, geologists and military scientists. Successful underwater imaging often requires specific tools, procedures, and detailed planning. It presents fascinating and uncommon imaging opportunities that cannot be found anywhere else. Popular artistic themes include marine animals, coral reefs, shipwrecks, and underwater caves.

 

Figure 1.0 Coral Reef

Credit: Nature TTL

Underwater photography

THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF OPTICAL SORTING
THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF OPTICAL SORTING

Published by Isabella Mikols on July 27th, 2022

In our fast-paced culture, there has never been a greater need for efficient operations. When it comes to companies that support consumerism, optical sorting has been essential in accelerating the production of goods and their placement on shop shelves. From the creation of a product in a factory to its final rebirth in a recycling facility, the function of an optical sorter in our society goes full circle.

Automated optical sorting uses cameras and/or lasers to separate solid goods. The equipment can determine size, shape, color, structural features, and chemical composition based on the physical sensors employed and the software algorithms utilized. These systems are capable of recognizing a wide range of characteristics. Cameras are excellent at recognizing differences in color, size, and shape of the objects under inspection, whereas laser can detect underlying structural differences.

HISTORY

The first humans to recognize the importance of sorting were neolithic farmers who wanted to keep the best seeds for replanting. Since then, sorting has been critical to economic improvement in every phase of human endeavor by making what we do easier, faster or more efficient. While some sorting techniques make use of our sense of touch or smell, the vast majority rely on vision and the associated optics.

Optical Filters, Best Optical Filter, Optical Filter Designers, Optical Coatings, Optical Sorting

Angle Shift in Bandpass Filters
Angle Shift in Bandpass Filters

Published by Rob Pursel on June 3rd, 2022

All Optical Interference Bandpass Filters exhibit some degree of shift with the angle of incidence (AOI). Since the layers of a bandpass filter operate in the coherence range of the desired wavelengths, a departure of AOI from zero degrees results in the shortening of the center wavelength. To achieve the desired bandwidth, standard optical bandpass filters are designed with the minimum layer thicknesses needed in the absentee spacer layers. An example is given below (Fig. 1) of a standard bandpass filter centered at 750 nm with a bandwidth of 20 nm. One can see that the filter will still transmit the center wavelength (CWL) to a tilt of 15° AOI. This limits the function of the filter to about f/1.9 or a 30° full cone angle.

Optical Filters, Best Optical Filter, Optical Filter Manufacturers, Optical Filter Designers, Optical Coatings, Hyperspectral Imaging, Veterinary Optics, Pulse Oximeter, 3D Printing, Optical Prototyping, Prototyping, Angle Shift, Bandpass Filter

Detecting Counterfeits with Optical Filters
Detecting Counterfeits with Optical Filters

Published by Isabella Mikols on May 5th, 2022

For centuries, forgery has been a problem that numerous industries encounter, some more than others, and the problem still exists today. Over time, optics have been improved upon and utilized to detect counterfeit items, helping to remove them from circulation. In this blog, we’ll discuss how optics are used in the detection and prevention of counterfeits in currency and artwork.

Optical Filters, Best Optical Filter, Optical Filter Manufacturers, Optical Filter Designers, Optical Coatings, Laminated Filters, IR Filters, counterfeit detection

3D Printing Enables Fabrication Agility
3D Printing Enables Fabrication Agility

Published by Nick Sullivan on March 22nd, 2022

In recent years, 3D printing has exploded in popularity with both businesses and hobbyists alike, due to rapid improvements in the technology and the ever-increasing affordability of owning and operating a system.  While 3D printing cannot yet replace traditional manufacturing for most production parts, it has become an extremely effective tool for conceptualization, prototyping, custom tooling, and display modeling for presentations and trade shows.

Optical Filters, Best Optical Filter, Optical Filter Manufacturers, Optical Filter Designers, Optical Coatings, Hyperspectral Imaging, Veterinary Optics, Pulse Oximeter, 3D Printing, Optical Prototyping, Prototyping

Optical Filters in Veterinary Medicine
Optical Filters in Veterinary Medicine

Published by Dixie Richards on February 11th, 2022

The connection that humans have with their pets is quite similar to the affection people feel towards their children. For many, house pets are core members of our families. That being said, routine veterinary care for pets is becoming just as common as routine doctor appointments for any traditional family member. 

Optical Filters, Best Optical Filter, Optical Filter Manufacturers, Optical Filter Designers, Optical Coatings, Hyperspectral Imaging, Veterinary Optics, Pulse Oximeter

Smart Farming Relies on Custom Optical Systems
Smart Farming Relies on Custom Optical Systems

Published by Isabella Mikols on January 17th, 2022

In Andover’s continuing series of blogs on our served markets, we look at how optics technology is impacting agriculture. 

Optical Filters, Best Optical Filter, Optical Filter Designers, Optical Coatings, IR Filters, Precision Farming, Hyperspectral Imaging, Smart Farming, Precision Agriculture, Drones in Agriculture, smart agriculture, smart farming technologies

 

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