Optical Diffusers
Unparalleled Quality
Optical diffusers that can take you to Mars and back
Firebird Optics is the proud US distributor of IQS GmBH, the German manufacturer of the world’s highest quality optical diffusers.
Made from patented Diffusil® material, Firebird and IQS are already supplying sectors as diverse as NASA, various solar panel producers and water treatment facilities. Our optics are already exploring the solar system and are integrated into the Perseverance probe currently on the surface of Mars.
Diffusil® is Space Approved
The “Scannable Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals” is nicknamed “SHERLOC”
This scientific instrument is mounted on the robotic arm of the rover “Perseverance” and will use spectrometers, a laser and a camera to search for organic substances and minerals on Mars.
SHERLOC is designed to find possible signs of earlier microbial life on Mars. The optical calibration targets are made from our Diffusil®-UV material and can be found mounted on the rover’s arm.
In extensive tests at NASA, Diffusil®-UV has proven to be long-term stable even under the rough conditions of space.
More information: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/
Diffusil-grade optical diffusers have the following advantages:
Ultra-homogenous distribution of gas bubbles in the material, which makes for unparalleled reproducibility.
Monomodal bubble size distribution (approximate diameter 4µm).
No water / OH-groups in the material (no absorption bands in the NIR-wavelengths range).
Ultra high purity (fused silica).
Tunable opacity (scattering behavior, transmission, reflection).
Other competing diffuser materials are unable to offer the same advantages of IQS Diffusil®:
PTFE is an organic, cost-effective material for diffusers and was the industry standard for decades. Its critical weakness is that it breaks down with UV radiation. Also, it is not tunable or mechanically stable as it is a plastic. Diffusil® offers UV-resistance, can be tuned and is mechanically stable.
Sandblasted glass- cost-effective but the disadvantages are that the surface quality is rough and collects dirt, which leads to light-scattering and unreliable results. Diffusil® provides unparalleled surface quality and minimal light scattering.
Laminated soda-lime glass with an opaque layer- these are higher-quality diffusers and offer good scattering properties. The downside is that they are not tunable like Diffusil and they are not able to be used in UV applications as these are made from standard glass.
Other opaque quartz/glass fused silica suppliers:
Standard opaque quartz glass (no fused silica)- not great for diffusers as the opacity differs strongly from batch to batch. Purity is lacking, which causes issues in the UV range.
Opaque fused silica- this is the only close competition to the Diffusil® material. These are good but they contain OH, which causes absorption bands in the NIR range. These types of materials are nearly triple the cost of Diffusil® and carry long leadtimes of 12-18 weeks. Diffusil® lacks the OH bands and can be delivered in approximately 6 weeks.
Firebird Optics can provide you with the perfect diffuser for your needs. Make sure to specify the dimensions, polishing specs and sanding/grit and we can get back to you with a quote.
Please read on for additional information:
Firebird Optics Diffusil® Diffuser Product Information
Fibebird Optics Diffusil® Technical Information
Drop us an e-mail at info@firebirdoptics.com and let’s build your project together.
Holographic Diffusers
Holographic Diffusers
Specialized optical components known as holographic diffusers are employed to scatter and evenly disperse light in a controlled manner. They create intricate interference patterns, transforming incoming light waves into a diffused output that spreads out uniformly. Holographic diffusers have widespread applications in lighting systems, display technologies, and imaging setups, where controlling light diffusion is crucial for achieving specific visual effects or improving overall optical performance.
Holographic Diffusers
The Best Diffuser for High Transmission
| Material: Polycarbonate | Coating: Uncoated |
|---|---|
| Transmittance > 85% | Damage Threshold, By Design: 0.22 J/cm2 @ 1064nm, 10ns (typical) |
| Operating Temperature (°C): -30 to +100 (Maximum of 240 Hours) |
The primary function of holographic diffusers is to break up and homogenize incoming light, transforming it into a more even and uniform distribution of intensity and direction. This is particularly useful in applications where even illumination or controlled scattering of light is necessary as it increases transmission efficiency to greater than 90%. The manufacturing process for holographic diffusers typically involves recording an interference pattern on a photosensitive material using laser light.
This pattern is created by the interaction of a reference beam and an object beam, which contains the information about the desired light distribution. After the recording, the material is developed, resulting in a surface with microstructures that produce the desired diffraction pattern. The microstructures on the holographic diffuser's surface act as tiny diffraction gratings.
The term "holographic" refers to the use of holography, a technique that records and reconstructs the wavefront of light to create three-dimensional images. In the context of holographic diffusers, holography is utilized to fabricate a surface structure that possesses specific diffraction properties, allowing the diffuser to manipulate light in a desired way. When light passes through the diffuser, it gets diffracted by these microstructures, leading to the redistribution of light into various angles and directions.
The specific design of the diffuser determines the angular distribution and intensity of the scattered light. Holographic diffusers have several advantages over traditional diffusers, such as superior light control, high efficiency, and the ability to create complex and precise light distributions. These properties make them suitable for a wide range of applications, including display backlighting, head-up displays, photography diffusers, and light shaping in various optical systems.
Why use a Holographic Diffuser?
Medical Imaging: In medical imaging devices, holographic diffusers can help improve image quality by reducing artifacts and optimizing the distribution of light within the imaging system.
3D Sensing: Holographic diffusers can be used in depth-sensing applications, like time-of-flight cameras, structured light systems, or LiDAR, to improve the accuracy and reliability of distance measurements.
Scientific Research: Holographic diffusers are valuable tools in various scientific experiments and research projects, where controlled and uniform light scattering is required.
Beam Shaping: Holographic diffusers can shape light beams into specific patterns, such as Gaussian-like distributions or uniform profiles. This makes them valuable in laser applications, such as laser beam homogenization or reshaping for specific optical setups.
Optical Metrology: Holographic diffusers are useful in optical metrology and testing applications. They can be employed as calibration targets or to generate known and controlled light patterns for testing cameras, lenses, and other optical components.
Because of holographic diffusers’ versatility and control over light distribution, making them valuable components in a wide range of applications in optics, photonics, displays, imaging, and beyond.
