GoPhotonics interviewed Remigijus Šliupas, the co-founder of OPTOMAN, a well-respected name in the laser optics world. He holds a Master’s degree in Laser Technologies from Vilnius University, specializing in ultrafast optics and laser-material interaction. With a mix of scientific expertise, know-how, and strategic vision Remigijus has helped put OPTOMAN on the map as a key player in the photonics industry.

Q. Can you give us a brief History of OPTOMAN? What inspired the founding of OPTOMAN, and how has the company’s mission evolved in the laser optics industry?

Remigijus Šliupas: The laser industry and its applications are constantly evolving, with higher powers and more challenging environments. The increasing laser power levels and decreasing pulse durations have posed a significant challenge for optics manufacturers. This has created an unmet demand for high-quality laser optics. In response to this challenge, in 2017 we founded OPTOMAN, equipped solely with the most advanced thin film coating machines - IBS (Ion Beam Sputtering) run by highly skilled professionals. Moreover, most R&D engineers were dissatisfied with the lead times offered by existing companies. This was a clear indication that there is still room for us to carve out a niche in this highly competitive market. 

OPTOMAN has always focused on its mission: to be a sidekick in laser optics development. By maintaining an ultrafast service and production turnaround and an R&D-driven issue-solving approach with a fast track to serial production, OPTOMAN has been able to serve the most powerful lasers. This has led to the spectacular growth of OPTOMAN. Currently, OPTOMAN has 5 IBS coating machines, employs 45 highly skilled individuals, and is aiming to become a well-recognized name in the laser world.  

As in the beginning, OPTOMAN continues to address coatings and optics-related issues our customers have or potentially might have in the future. Our goal is to empower laser engineers to push the performance of their laser systems to the very limit. 

Q. Could you share an overview of OPTOMAN’s product portfolio? What types of optical components do you specialize in, and which product segment is the largest for your company? 

Remigijus Šliupas: At OPTOMAN, we specialize in producing highly customized and application-optimised laser optics. Our focus on precision, accuracy, and repeatability ensures that our products meet the highest standards of quality and performance. Maintaining our focus to enable higher laser powers of our customers, subsequently, the largest product segment is beam delivery optics for extremely powerful laser systems.

We are ready to design, develop, and manufacture cost-effective yet advanced, high accuracy and repeatability thin film coatings and laser optics for laser systems manufacturers and universities worldwide.

Q. What market segments do you cater to? Which segment is the largest for you? 

Remigijus Šliupas: Scientific, laser processing and laser manufacturing, medical. Now we’re focusing on expanding our customers within the Space and Defence industries. Laser manufacturers are the largest segment and specifically ultrafast laser manufacturers have the biggest share among them.  

As you know, with a stack of dielectric layers, we can create all sorts of optics from basic anti-reflective windows to extremely complicated polarizers and filters. Optical components with these coatings are utilized across various applications, including scientific research, laser material processing, quantum technologies, security, and the space industry. 

Q. What is Ion Beam Sputtering (IBS)? What key innovations define OPTOMAN’s approach to ion-beam sputtering (IBS) technology, and how do these innovations benefit high-power laser optics? 

Remigijus Šliupas: Coatings produced by the Ion Beam Sputtering technology are proven to meet the most demanding industry and scientific requirements and provide numerous benefits for laser and laser systems manufacturers. Due to the near-bulk IBS coating density, the surface roughness of the coated component is mainly determined by the initial substrate roughness. Combine this with the completely amorphous coating layers and you will end up with almost scatter-free optics!  

Laser-induced damage to optical components is one of the biggest headaches for high-power laser manufacturers. Coating layers deposited by Ion Beam Sputtering are very dense and pure. By choosing proper deposition parameters and ensuring cleanliness at every step of the manufacturing chain, we can produce coatings with very low defect densities. That is the reason why our IBS coatings exhibit excellent resistance to laser irradiation!  

Q. How does OPTOMAN address thermal management and damage resistance in coatings for ultrafast and high-power lasers? 

Remigijus Šliupas: OPTOMAN takes innovation very seriously and makes sure that optical components can resist the ongoing increase of laser power and decrease in pulse duration, thus high LIDT is OPTOMAN’s bread and butter. 

While managing catastrophic damage is crucial for ultrafast laser optics, the color-change effect is also an arch-enemy and an LIDT-limiting factor, which has to be eliminated to increase the lifetime of optics and reduce the total cost of ownership. 

Dr. Simonas Kičas, co-founder and CTO, is an expert in IBS technology and coating designs and is a main driving force at OPTOMAN approaching higher laser powers. A lot of brutal R&D and testing was done before we became confident that OPTOMAN optics will be suitable for ultrafast high-power lasers. Recently our R&D team developed and showcased the non-degrading ultrafast UV optics, which is very unique considering the wavelength range being harsh on the coatings. 

Q. Is space and defense an important segment for OPTOMAN? Can you explain the key considerations when designing optics for space and defense applications, particularly for materials with high infrared reflectivity? 

Remigijus Šliupas:  Yes, space and defense are becoming more significant segments for OPTOMAN. 

Lasers are a crucial technology for data transmission in space, offering secure, low-latency, and ultra-fast communication. Our optics for space are designed for high durability, ensuring long lifetimes while maintaining minimal degradation. Reliability is important as poor-quality management can have severe consequences for the end user. 

Directed Energy Laser (DEL) applications utilize kW or even MW power lasers, which require laser optics to have extremely high LIDT, as well as being large in size (up to 500mm or more).

Q. What is the laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT)? Could you describe OPTOMAN's Laser-Induced Damage Threshold (LIDT) capabilities across various pulse regimes and discuss recent innovations that have improved LIDT performance? 

Remigijus Šliupas: Laser damage is a complex phenomenon and, while the result is the same – the optical component is ruined and not suitable for further use, there are different laser damage types and mechanisms. In the ultrafast regime, challenges include managing nonlinear effects, which can lead to damage in optical components due to high peak powers concentrated at ultra-short durations.

Also color change effect becomes relevant when talking about ultrafast regime as it can significantly affect temporal characteristics of optics and lead to catastrophic damage. Maintaining low absorption is crucial to prolong the lifetime of optics and we are able to ensure <1ppm levels of absorption within the coating. 

The Picosecond regime is the transitional interval of the pulse duration where nonlinear effects are still not significant. Thermal effects caused by high repetition rates of picosecond lasers are a serious concern, potentially resulting in heating and consequently damage to optical components.

Continuous wave (CW) is another laser regime that requires as low absorption as possible to ensure fluent operation of laser optics.

Q. What role do OPTOMAN’s pulse compression mirrors and partial reflectors play in maximizing laser system efficiency? 

Remigijus Šliupas: IBS-coated pulse compression mirrors are crucial for managing dispersion in ultrafast laser systems. By varying the thickness of dielectric coating layers, chromatic dispersion can be induced through wavelength-dependent penetration depth. Partial reflectors that are usually used as output couplers are essential components in laser systems, designed to transmit a controlled portion of the laser beam while reflecting the rest back into the resonator. This balance ensures stable laser operation and consistent output power.   

Q. How are OPTOMAN's UV laser optics designed to withstand prolonged irradiation, and what distinguishes them from other options in the market? 

Remigijus Šliupas: OPTOMAN developed Non-degrading Ultrafast UV laser optics that can withstand over 10000 hours of ultrafast laser irradiation, preventing downtime of the laser system.

This achievement ensures that even after prolonged exposure to extreme Ultrafast UV light, the IBS-coated laser optics not only maintain the necessary parameters - consistent spectral performance and high LIDT - but are free of the color change effect.  

According to our research, we couldn’t find another player in the market that at least publicly showcases lifetime measurements proving optics being non-degrading. This technology translates into lower maintenance costs, longer overall lifespan, and consequently lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). 

Q. Do you develop catalog or custom products? Could you describe OPTOMAN's customization process for optical components, and how your team addresses the unique demands of each application? 

Remigijus Šliupas: At OPTOMAN, we specialise in producing highly customised and application-optimised laser optics. We aim to understand not only the technical parameters but also the broader context of how our optics will be used in the application. 

But what about scientists who need just a few but well-characterized mirrors, polarizers, and lenses? So OPTOSHOP is our proactive response to the growing industry demand for in-stock ultrafast laser optics. It brings the best capabilities of OPTOMAN into in-stock products. 

Q. What trends in photonics and laser technology are currently shaping OPTOMAN’s R&D and product development efforts for the next few years? What is your product roadmap? 

Remigijus Šliupas: Optical assemblies, benefiting from high-end IBS coatings even further. DUV optics addressing semiconductor market demands. Large optics suitable for fusion and defence projects. All in all, we are carefully listening to the voices of our partners. OPTOMAN has R&D driven attitude and most of our investment ideas and R&D directions were inspired by customers.

About OPTOMAN

OPTOMAN is a manufacturer of custom IBS-coated laser optics for photonic superheroes. Complete dedication to quality, professional and reliable services, and extensive characterization of optics, these things help OPTOMAN to follow his mission, “Serve the People and push the efficiency of lasers and laser systems to the next level." They design, develop, and manufacture cost-effective yet advanced, high accuracy and repeatability thin film coatings and laser optics for laser systems manufacturers and universities worldwide.