SPECIAL OPTICAL EQUIPMENT
We are world-renowned for our custom and off-the-shelf precision optics and interference filters. For more than 26 years scientists and engineers from all parts of the world have relied on Custom Scientific optical components in their astronomy, microscopy, imaging, spectroscopic, laser, and instrumentation systems.
In 1990, research astronomers started coming to us to obtain high-performance, high-precision telescope filters and optics. This was driven in part by the emergence of CCD imaging. At that time it was only large research institutions that could afford the $200,000 + costs associated with custom-building of such large format, digital cameras. Over many years, we perfected our skills and techniques in designing and manufacturing filters that are optimized to function with CCD cameras.
In the mid and late 1990's, as the costs of off-the-shelf CCD cameras dramatically declined so that amateur astronomers could own them, too, we found that those amateur astronomers were also coming to us to obtain high quality filters, just as their researcher "cousins" did. In response to that, we developed and stocked a series of commonly used filters. Although such filters when built for a research astronomer could cost thousands of dollars, by mass production techniques and minor changes in design we were able to lower prices often by more than half.
Scientists and engineers around the world rely on our expertise in optical system instrumentation for their astronomy, microscopy, high-performance imaging and spectroscopy. Optical filters for imaging is one of our specialties.
Our interference filters range from the vacuum UV, include the visible and encompass the far IR. Bandwidths can be as narrow as one Angstrom. Sizes range from four millimeters in diameter to 12 inches square. The transmission spectrum for each filter is shipped with the filter as a graphical printout and sent by e-mail as an ascii file for no additional charge.
Our custom-machined optics include large and small lenses, singlets and assemblies, mirrors, windows, and prisms. We can do flat and curved surfaces including spheres, paraboloids, and hyperboloids. They may be coated or uncoated.
You can tell us what you are trying to do and we would suggest the most cost-effective options that would meet your needs.
Apogee Camera Range
Andor’s Apogee Camera Range presents a wide selection of full frame and interline cooled CCD options, offering superb medium to very high resolution imaging solutions. The Apogee camera series has long been the detection solution of choice for longer exposure, high resolution applications, including Astronomy and Gel Documentation.
Apogee Alta CCD Cameras
The Apogee Alta family has been a mainstream of high performance imaging for many years, offering a wide range of full frame and interline CCDs up to 16.8 Megapixel, ideally suited to both OEM and research markets.
Cooling performance down to 50 °C below ambient offers low darkcurrent contribution, ensuring optimal signal to noise for long exposure applications such as astronomy or chemiluminescence detection. USB 2.0 interface offers the convenience of simple, robust connection to PC.
Apogee Aspen CCD Cameras
Apogee Aspen is the newest design innovation in the Apogee CCD range, ideal for demanding physical science and astronomy usage. Apogee Aspen increases cooling performance, improves stray light baffling, adds a network interface with a built-in web server, and sets a new standard in shutter longevity.
Cooling performance down to 60 °C below ambient offers low darkcurrent contribution, ensuring optimal signal to noise for long exposure applications such as astronomy.
Apogee Filter Wheels, Filters and Accessories
The Apogee camera range is supported by a comprehensive range of accessories, including filter wheels, filters and adapters.
Atik Camera’s mission is to open the exciting world of astrophotography to everyone.
From small beginnings, our company has grown rapidly. Atik’s cameras are now sold across Europe, USA and Canada, as well as Australia, Japan and Malaysia.
Our aim is to make the world of astronomical imaging accessible for stargazers and enthusiasts, so that this exceptional form of photography can be more widely enjoyed.
We have continuously developed and refined a range of robust and reliable equipment to deliver superior performance in an extremely specialised and demanding field.
We have successfully met the challenge of reducing background ‘noise’ that can otherwise cause graininess in images over the long exposure times necessary for astro-imaging. Increasingly we are also working with scientific and OEM customers to bring our low read noise cameras to applications in life science and industrial imaging.
Our cameras enable enthusiasts and professionals to achieve greater sensitivity and longer exposure times – resulting in better image quality.
Atik has also developed highly-acclaimed software that is included with our cameras. This software is compatible with all cameras in the Atik range, making it easy to upgrade. Regular software updates mean that you can enjoy new features and functions as our technology evolves.
Diffraction Limited and SBIG are pioneers in the field of astronomical CCD imaging hardware and software. Our goal is to design and manufacture the best astronomical instrumentation in the world - professional quality equipment at a price an amateur can afford.
Our philosophy is to listen to our customers. With your input and our efforts we have a winning combination. We look forward to continuing development of instrumentation to benefit the field of astronomy and scientific imaging.
Diffraction Limited and SBIG are pioneers in the field of astronomical CCD imaging hardware and software. Our goal is to design and manufacture the best astronomical instrumentation in the world - professional quality equipment at a price an amateur can afford.
Our philosophy is to listen to our customers. With your input and our efforts we have a winning combination. We look forward to continuing development of instrumentation to benefit the field of astronomy and scientific imaging.
Our company is run by astronomers for astronomers!