Custom Micro Optics.
IRD manufactures custom, discrete micro optics. Published examples include micro-optic-scale plano-convex cylindrical lenses, rod lenses from .070 inch diameter, and flat optics at sub-millimeter dimensions. Dicing, grinding, lapping, polishing, coating, and inspection are reviewed as one route before the part is quoted.
What we manufacture
Material, aspect ratio, edge condition, clear aperture, coating, and inspection method determine which route fits the part. Start with the closest geometry, then send the complete print for confirmation.
Cylindrical and rod lenses
Plano-convex, plano-concave, and rod-lens geometries for line generation, beam shaping, sensing, and compact optical systems.
Published ranges include micro-optic-scale plano-convex lenses and rod lenses from .070 inch diameter.
Micro optical windows
IRD manufactures custom micro optical windows with dimensions below 1 mm (.040") for compact optical systems where space, protection, and optical performance must coexist. Micro windows can provide environmental and mechanical protection for sensitive optical components while also controlling how light enters or exits the system. Micro optical windows are used in medical devices, sensors, imaging systems, aerospace instrumentation, laser systems, and other miniaturized optical assemblies. When optical performance has to fit into an exceptionally small package, IRD manufactures micro windows to your print and application requirements.
Medical devices, sensors, imaging systems, aerospace instrumentation, laser systems, and other miniaturized optical assemblies.
Micro prisms
IRD manufactures custom micro prisms smaller than 1.5 mm (.060") for optical systems requiring precise beam control within extremely limited space. At this scale, small variations in geometry, surface quality, edge condition, and coating performance can have an outsized effect on the finished optical system. IRD combines precision fabrication, polishing, inspection, and coating capabilities to produce micro prisms to demanding customer drawings. Micro prisms can be used for beam steering, reflection, transmission control, and wavelength management in medical devices, imaging systems, sensors, aerospace systems, lasers, and photonics applications. When a few fractions of a millimeter can determine optical performance, IRD delivers micro prisms manufactured to exact specification.
Beam steering, reflection, transmission control, and wavelength management.
Micro light pipes
IRD manufactures custom micro light pipes for compact optical systems requiring efficient light transmission, homogenization, and precise control of illumination. Micro light pipes can collect, mix, homogenize, and transmit light from single or multiple sources, helping produce more uniform illumination within tightly packaged optical assemblies. Micro light pipes are used for illumination homogenization, beam smoothing, light redistribution, and multi-source blending in medical devices, diagnostics, sensors, imaging systems, lasers, and photonics applications. When an optical system needs uniform light in a very small package, IRD manufactures micro light pipes engineered to the application.
Illumination homogenization, beam smoothing, light redistribution, and multi-source blending.Manufacturing limits by process
These are IRD's published capability limits across materials and geometries, not a grade every part ships to. Open the process that controls your critical surface and quote against that one.
IRD's published small-part ranges establish the starting point. They are not a universal grade for every component under 2 mm.
| Attribute | Typical | Best case |
|---|---|---|
| Micro-optics categoryIRD glossary definition, not a universal finished-part minimum | Discrete optical components | Under 2 mm |
| Plano-convex cylindersConfirm the material, radius, length, and surface requirement | Micro-optic scale to 6″ | ±.0002″ dimension |
| Rod-lens diameterMaterial, length, and surface requirements affect the route | .070″ to .650″ and larger | ±.001″ diameter |
| Flat opticsConfirm geometry, thickness, aperture, finish, and coating | Sub-millimeter upward | Print-defined |
Capabilities, materials, and processes
IRD manufactures custom micro-optics and miniature optical components for advanced medical imaging, sensing, and diagnostic applications. IRD micro-optics are used in minimally invasive medical devices, diagnostic instruments, imaging systems, and next-generation healthcare technologies where size, precision, and optical performance are critical. A small envelope does not make the rest of the specification secondary. Name the substrate, finish, coating, datums, inspection method, and handling requirements together.
Micro optical windows
- Micro windows below 1 mm
- Precision polishing and edge control
- Tight dimensional, flatness, and parallelism requirements
- Anti-reflective and wavelength-specific thin-film coatings
- Reflection, transmission, and wavelength filtering
- Custom glass, fused silica, sapphire, and specialty optical materials
- Prototype through production quantities
Micro prisms
- Micro prisms below 1.5 mm
- Custom prism geometries
- Precision angle and dimensional control
- Tight surface quality and edge requirements
- Anti-reflective, reflective, and wavelength-specific coatings
- Glass, fused silica, sapphire, and specialty optical materials
- Prototype through production quantities
Micro light pipes
- Custom micro light pipe geometries
- Straight and tapered configurations
- Precision-polished optical surfaces
- Tight dimensional and edge control
- Glass, fused silica, sapphire, and specialty optical materials
- Optical coatings when required
- Prototype through production quantities
Micro optics for medical applications
- Precision micro-optical components with sub-mm dimensions
- Micro prisms
- Micro cylindrical lenses
- Miniature optical windows and lenses
- Micro-scale optical substrates
- Components for imaging, sensing, and laser delivery systems
- Tight-tolerance fabrication for compact medical devices
- Optical surfaces engineered for high transmission and clarity
Materials
- N-BK7
- Fused silica and fused quartz
- Borosilicate and filter glass
- Sapphire
- Silicon and other IR materials
Processes
- Dicing and sawing
- Grinding, lapping, and polishing
- Cylinder centering and ripple checks
- Coating, cleaning, and packaging
Applications
- Endoscopy and microscopy components
- Semiconductor-laser and fiber coupling
- Line and slit detector optics
- Sensing, compact imaging, and inspection
- Reticles and laser line generation
Measured on
- Zygo GPI interferometer
- Zygo NewView
- Zygo Verifire XPZ
- Nikon 6D interferometer
- Micro-Vu automated vision system
- TriOptics Triangle
- TriOptics PrismMaster
- Starrett MVR300
- Zeiss Spectrum
- Zeiss O-Inspect
- Tagarno digital microscope
Frequently asked questions
The category describes scale. The drawing determines whether the manufacturing and measurement route works.
Start a quoteWhat does IRD mean by micro optics?
IRD defines micro optics as discrete optical components under 2 mm. This page does not claim wafer-level, molded, diffractive, printed, or microlens-array processes.
What information confirms manufacturability?
Include the application, material, complete dimensions, clear aperture, radius or form, surface quality, flatness and parallelism, coating wavelength and angle of incidence, datums and inspection method, quantity, schedule, and handling or packaging needs.
Which component types should I send for review?
IRD has direct small-part evidence for cylindrical and rod lenses and flat optics. The team can also review small prisms, wedges, beamsplitters, light pipes, and homogenizers against the established product capabilities.
Do the published process figures apply to every micro optic?
No. They describe typical and best process-level capability across different materials and geometries. The quote confirms what applies to your component.
Does IRD design the optical system?
IRD manufactures to customer designs and contributes material, process, and manufacturability input. The optical design and final performance requirements stay with your team.
Send us your custom micro optics requirement.
Attach the drawing and include the application, material, complete dimensions, clear aperture, radius or form, surface quality, flatness and parallelism, coating conditions, datums and inspection method, quantity, schedule, and handling or packaging needs. An applications engineer will confirm the manufacturing and inspection route against the complete requirement.
Final capability is quoted to the drawing. Achievable tolerance depends on material, feature size, geometry, coating, and production volume. Or call 320.693.7217 to discuss the print with the team.