Many optoelectronic manufacturers of devices such as Waveguides, Edge Mirrors, VOA, AWG, Dynamic Gain Equalizers and Beamsplitters are beginning to acknowledge the effect end face optical polishing has on optimizing the optical performance of these devices. Valley provides edge and angle optical polishing to 1, 8, 45 or any other degree for various substrate materials including Fused Silica and Silicon which are typically used in these and other optical devices.
End face refers to the depth x width of the cross sectional area of a substrate with depth, width and length. Typically, the area is 9 - 40 mm x 0.7 - 1 mm, and may incorporate, for example, an 8 degree angle relative to the normal length x width plane. Optical waveguides begin and end at these faces. Traditionally, these edges have been diced, leaving a chipped edge. However, by utilizing Valley's new technology, which achieves an optical quality edge surface finish with chipping of less than 1 micron, improved optical performance can now be realized.
One of the major challenges of optical edge polishing involves compensating for the
height differential which occurs during polishing hybrids of silicon and oxide
layers. This can also occur with epoxy filled waveguide structures. Other issues
include poor flatness results, and excessive rounding. Valley has successfully
overcome these obstacles and meets the following typical optical specifications:
Valley also edge polishes other materials including Silicon/Oxide hybirds, Lithium Niobate, Sapphire, metalized Fused Silica, Lithium Tantalate, AR coated Pyrex and Phosphate Glass.
For over 25 years, Valley has been a leader in materials processing. We offer
precision lapping, optical polishing, dicing, optical edge polishing, thinning, grinding, shaping,
and wafering services. We particularly specialize in ultra-thin substrates
(as thin as 12.5 microns, for 1 cm sq.), and tight tolerances (± 1 micron).
Other capabilities include:
Valley provides custom parts, as well as in-stock items. We process prototype orders, as well as full production runs, and currently process over 1,000 parts daily for our customers worldwide. With facilities on both East and West Coasts, we operate three shifts, and are ready to serve our customers from 7:30 a.m. EST to 5:00 p.m. PST.
We have extensive experience with a wide variety of materials, and are willing to work with proprietary materials as well. Valley routinely processes:
1737, 7070 Glass
99.6% and 96% Alumina
Aluminum Nitride
BK7, B270, D263, AF45 Glass
Borosilicates
Ceramics
Crystals
Ferrites
Filter Glass
Fused Silica
GaAs, GaP, GaN
Glass
InP
LASFN9
Lithium Niobate
Metals
PLZT, PZT
Pyrex
Quartz
Sapphire
Silicon
Soda Lime
Plus many others:
We also stock a large quantity of Fused Silica, 99.6% Alumina, Aluminum Nitride, R-Plane Sapphire and Float Zone Silicon.
Please fax or e-mail your specifications for quotation. We look forward to working with you!
Aluminun Nitride Die Thinning Fiber Optics Fused Silica Lapping Polishing
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Valley Design West 151-D Harvey West Blvd. Santa Cruz, CA 95060 |
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Valley Design East Two Shaker Road, Bldg. E-001 Shirley, MA 01464 |
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West E-mail:
west@edgepolishing.com Germany Sales: germany@valleydesign.com France Sales: france@valleydesign.com Phone: 831.420.0595 Fax: 831.420.0592 |
East E-mail:
east@edgepolishing.com Germany Sales: germany@valleydesign.com France Sales: france@valleydesign.com Phone: 978.425.3030 Fax: 978.425.3031 |
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Updated: 6 May 2008 |
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