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Plano Optics, a renowned optical components manufacturer, has expanded its range of precision interferometers, catering to the growing demand for accurate surface measurement and optical testing in scientific, industrial, and research environments. The company’s latest lineup, which includes the Optical Fizeau Interferometer, the Grazing Incidence Interferometer, and the Michelson Interferometer, highlights its commitment to advancing optical metrology capabilities in India’s rapidly developing photonics sector.

At the forefront of its offerings, the Optical Fizeau Interferometer stands as a versatile solution for precise measurement of optical flats, mirrors, and transparent spherical components. Available in clear aperture sizes of 60 mm and 100 mm, this instrument delivers dependable accuracy for transmitted wavefront and curvature measurements of transparent optics. With its bayonet-mounted reference flat, wired zoom control, and compact laboratory-ready structure weighing under 90 kg, the Fizeau Interferometer provides the reliability required for both quality control and optical manufacturing applications.

Complementing it is the Grazing Incidence Interferometer, developed to measure the flatness of both reflective and non-reflective surfaces - particularly surfaces that traditional optical interferometers struggle to evaluate. This model offers an impressive resolution of 0.03 µm and accuracy ranging between 0.1 µm to 0.4 µm plus 2% of the measured value. Designed for rapid inspection cycles, with a typical measurement time of just five seconds, it ensures non-contact assessment through an air gap between the prism and the sample. Its calibrated sensitivities, ranging from 0.5 µm to 4.0 µm per fringe, and dynamic range exceeding 100 µm, make it ideal for evaluating components like lapped or semi-polished surfaces across part sizes of 50 mm to 100 mm.

Rounding out the lineup, the Michelson Interferometer is a flexible, general-purpose optical instrument designed for laboratory and educational environments. Built on a machined steel base, it incorporates a movable mirror with fine linear motion control of 0.6 microns per division, enabling precise optical path difference measurement. The instrument’s modular design allows it to be upgraded into a Fabry-Perot or Twyman-Green interferometer, offering researchers the versatility to conduct diverse optical experiments - from wavelength determination to refractive index analysis.

Together, these instruments underscore Plano Optics’ role as a key contributor to the growing optics and photonics ecosystem. By providing high-quality, cost-effective metrology solutions domestically, the company aims to reduce dependency on imported systems while enhancing the precision and productivity of optical manufacturing and research operations.

With interferometry playing a critical role in ensuring optical surface flatness, Plano Optics’ diverse range of instruments marks a significant step forward for laboratories, universities, and production facilities seeking reliable, homegrown measurement solutions built to global standards.

Click here to learn more about Michelson interferometers.