Optical Surfaces has received a sizeable repeat order from Photonis SAS (Brive, France) for production of high-precision microchannel plate blanks to be used in a series of space research projects.

The combination of high efficiency of design, manufacture and precision polishing have made microchannel plates from Photonis SAS/Optical Surfaces Ltd. the preferred detector element in single-photon UV and X-ray space imaging projects.

Dr Aris Kouris - sales manager at Optical Surfaces Ltd commented 'The multichannel plates offer particular production challenges including maintaining tight control of the physical dimensions (thickness and parallelism) and also avoiding staining that is easily introduced during the polishing process'. He added 'Drawing upon our expertise in manufacturing high-precision optics and many years co-operation with Photonis, we have developed proprietary production techniques that deliver the required ultra-high precision surface finish'.

Photonis is a leading supplier of microchannel plate devices to the international space research community for detection and amplification of very low levels of radiation. Photonis's microchannel plates offer the highest L/D ratio available to deliver superior performance in gain for a variety of detector applications. Their sustained output is up to ten times greater compared to conventional microchannel plates. Importantly, Photonis microchannel plates are rugged and durable offering stable gain and outstanding bias current stability resulting in extended operation, decreased downtime and lower costs.

Optical Surfaces Ltd has been producing optical components and systems for more than 45 years and is now accepted as one of Europe's leading manufacturers of high-precision optics for astronomy and space research.  The company's main workshops and test facilities are deep underground in a series of tunnels excavated in solid chalk where temperature remains constant and vibration is practically non-existent. With such stable conditions testing particularly with long path lengths become quantifiable and reliable. Working with these natural advantages is a highly skilled team of craftsmen with a commitment to excellence in both product quality and customer service. Optical Surfaces ISO 9001-2000 approved manufacturing facility provides the flexible resources to supply from single specialist requirements to OEM quantities. All high precision optics are provided with a complete quality test assurance report.