The LA1708 N-BK7 Plano-Convex Lens is a high-quality optical component sourced from Thorlabs, a leading vendor in the field of optical equipment. This lens, with a diameter of 1 inch, is designed to focus or collimate light beams in various applications.
The lens is made of N-BK7, a type of borosilicate glass known for its excellent optical properties. This material is often used in high-precision optical systems due to its low dispersion and high transmission across a wide range of wavelengths. The N-BK7 Schott designation indicates that this particular lens meets the stringent quality standards set by Schott, a renowned manufacturer of specialized glass.
The Plano-Convex design of this lens features a flat surface on one side and a curved surface on the other. This design is often used to focus or collimate light beams. The curvature of the lens is defined by a radius of 103 mm, which, combined with the lens's thickness, results in a focal length of 200 mm. This focal length is a key parameter in determining how the lens will affect the light beam it encounters.
The lens has a clear aperture of 1 inch, providing a large area for light to pass through. The edge thickness of the lens is 2 mm, while the center thickness is 2.8 mm. These dimensions can be crucial in applications where the lens's physical properties need to be carefully managed.
The lens is uncoated, meaning it does not have any additional layers to enhance its optical properties. While coatings can be beneficial in certain applications, an uncoated lens can be a suitable choice when cost, simplicity, or specific optical characteristics are considerations.