Optical FlatPrice

BoliOptics sells professional, high quality microscopes, microscope accessories, and magnifying lamps. We supply research laboratories, medical centers, universities, industrial manufactures, factories, students, and hobbyists world wide. Our parts and accessories are compatible with Leica, Olympus, Nikon, and Zeiss.

OpticalFlats for sale

It is also important to maintain optical flats using Kemet’s Optical Flat Cleaning/Care Kit, as taking special care of them will ensure accuracy and long service.

Optical FlatFilter

The width of the light bands is dependant upon the thickness of the air wedge which always exists between two parts. Minute particles of dust or dirt on either surface will hold the flat far enough away from the part so that the light bands will be very narrow and close together. The thickness of the air wedge can be decreased either by more cleaning or by gently pressing on the optical flat to force out some of the air. As the air wedge thickness decreases the light bands become wider. The width of the light bands or the number of bands does not affect the surface measurement, only the ease of making an accurate reading. The bands need only to be as wide as necessary for an accurate interpretation of their curvature.

It is important to regularly calibrate optical flats and Kemet offers a calibration service to lambda/20 using 4" and 12" interferometers to measure the flatness of the optical flat and provide interferograms and inspection certificates.

Optical flatinterferometer

Optical Flat Stands are required for the above Optical Flats for protection of optical flat and substrate being tested. Bench top optical flat stands for sizes 150 - 350mm and floor standing optical flat stands for sizes 350 - 600mm.

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The following shows some examples of optical flats that have been returned to Kemet for calibration (lightly scratched), re-polishing and calibration (more heavily scratched) and complete refurbishing (heavily scratched and/or chipped - chips are ground out and polished). Contact Kemet for a quotation.

Optical flatmeasurement

Over a period of time an optical flat can get scratched and/or chipped so it cannot be used or recalibrated without refurbishing. For small optical flats (less than 4”/100mm), depending on the level of damage, it may be more cost effective to purchase a new one but for larger flats Kemet offers a reconditioning/refurbishing/calibration service to lambda/20, with the use of interferometers and continuous pitch polishers. As with the calibration service interferograms and inspection certificates are provided for reworked optical flats.

How to use anoptical flat

Optical flatmeaning

On very hard materials, such as hardened alloy steel, the lapped finish will generally reflect sufficient light to give accurate readings. On soft materials, such as brass, copper, mild steel etc., it is necessary to polish the surface by rubbing the part on a polishing medium.

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After the part has been polished to achieve reflectivity, it is placed under the monochromatic light source. Both the optical flat and the part must be clean and dry. If necessary, clean with a lintless material such as lens tissue or camels hair brush.

Optical flats are used to check the flatness of a substrate. When a high quality optical flat is placed on top of a polished substrate and used with a monochromatic light source, light bands are formed. The number of rings or straight lines shown is an indication of how flat the part is.

Optical FlatMitutoyo

The operator, while using a figure of eight motion similar to that used in hand lapping, should hold the part in such a way that no distortion occurs to the polished surface. Most parts will polish more efficiently if thoroughly cleaned of all lapping vehicle and abrasive.

The optical flat should be placed or removed directly from the surface to be checked. Never slide the flat across the part surface as this will scratch the flat and shorten its useful life.

Produced from Quartz, Kemet Optical Flats are available in single and double sided, 1/4 light band accuracy (Higher accuracy available on request), in sizes from 25mm up to 600mm diameter. Larger sizes made to order with configurations such as square optical flats, rectangle optical flats, donut optical flats and custom optical flat thickness are available. They are supplied with Certificate of Conformity with full traceability to international standards. Special optical flats are available on request.