Optical Communications

Whether you are working with optical inter-satellite links (OISL), ground-to-space transmissions (OGS), or terrestrial fiber-optic based telecom and datacom networks, we understand the challenges these systems present and how best to solve them.

We collaborate with you through design, development, and eventually, volume manufacturing of demanding, spectrally complex optical components and assemblies that will meet your system’s critical performance requirements. 

Our optics fabrication, bonding , and thin-film coating capabilities are spaceflight qualified for durability and performance through your operational life cycle. We help you meet all key on-orbit performance specifications, such as low outgassing, radiation hardness, and reliable operation for 10 years or more, and terrestrial Telcordia filter requirements such as damp heat stability.

Our solutions include:

Specialized capabilities start with our precision fabrication technologies, including super-polishing processes to create ultra-smooth surfaces with no defects, etalon-level controlled substrate thicknesses, and minimized wavefront distortions that enable excellent beam quality. These substrates have the optimal surface quality for applying our multilayer thin-film coatings using ion-beam sputtering (IBS) and magnetron sputtering. Our propriety coating processes, including in-situ optical monitoring and design optimization, deliver finished products with superior spectral performance. Solutions include polarizers with increased fidelity, mirrors with 99.999% reflectivity, high contrast/low crosstalk wavelength selective solar rejection, bandpass, and dichroic filters, and optics with high Laser Damage Thresholds (LDT).  All of our optical components and assemblies are tailored and optimized to select, direct, and detect laser generated optical signals whether in free-space optical satcom or fiber-coupled terrestrial networks. 

We back up our high-performance optics with quality controls delivering proven results. We invest in advanced metrology capabilities, including microscopy, spectral metrology, surface interferometry, absorption, laser damage, and cavity ringdown measurements. Before your optics are integrated, we test to ensure they meet or exceed designed specifications. Learn more about our space qualified lasercom filters and optics.