AR glass source?

[norty303]

Anyone got a good source for custom cut AR glass for projector output windows?
I've got 2 cases where the adhesive used has affected the coating, so need to be replaced.

[andy_con]

edmund optics do top quality AR windows, i wouldnt use anything else

http://www.edmundoptics.com/optics/w...y-windows/1919

[norty303]

Thanks very much Mr Con.

[norty303]

Foooook.....

£50+ for 2 bits of glass, in for a penny, in for a pound I suppose.

Shame the company that stuck them couldn't have used a decent adhesive in the first place and not damaged the 2 I have

[andy_con]

indeed not cheap but you get what you pay for.

if you want the best then you have to pay for it

[Jem]

That price isn't too bad. If you were to supply your own glass to a coating company for a MgF2 coating on both sides it would cost you probably two thirds of that. Then you have the cost of the ultra flat and clear optical glass, cutting to size and some profit. Also, beware, not all coatings are equal.

I have access to a high quality coating lab that can do that sort of stuff, but it's probably better to just 'bite the bullet' and just stump up the cash, much less hassle in the long run

[norty303]

Thanks Jem. I'd already ordered it when posted the 'Foook' post.
The optical side of projectors never ceases to amaze me on prices, glass or mounts!

[JohnYayas]

I have seen a lot of cases with the glass flush with the front of the case. This requires the glass to be rather large (and costly) since the galvo mirrors are typically set back at least an inch or so. In my projector I placed the window within a 1/4" of the galvos and that allows me to use a relatively small window. Not only that, since the glass is set back from the front, it is almost impossible to rub up against the glass and scratch or smudge it while handling the projector.

The only thing that I wonder about in my situation has to do with the incidence angle when scanning at the extreme angles. The beams path is more at an angle through the glass than what it would be if the glass was positioned further out. That probably isn't ideal. A small (typical) angles I don't think it is any issue. But at home, I do tend to run at really wide angles due to not having much throw distance.

Anyway, I use camera filters for my window. I mounted an ring adapter to my case with epoxy and that allows me to easily replace the filters by unscrewing them and then screwing them back on. Not sure how camera filters compare in quality to an Edmunds AR window but that's what I went with.

Anyway, not sure if I helped any but that's my 2 cents.

[norty303]

Anyway, I use camera filters for my window. I mounted an ring adapter to my case with epoxy and that allows me to easily replace the filters by unscrewing them and then screwing them back on. Not sure how camera filters compare in quality to an Edmunds AR window but that's what I went with.

My big RGB uses this method, it's very effective, and the filters are good quality, and reasonably cheap because they're mass produced.

[dsli_jon]

£50+ for 2 bits of glass...

If the 'CDAR' is agreeable for yer application, consider getting a 10" x 12", and cutting-down.. ie: http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...627#post148627 ..you'll have enough for mucho projectos, and, can even 'resell', perhaps, to other blokes with emergency-needs, etc.. fwiw..

..Not sure how camera filters compare in quality to an Edmunds AR window..

Well, just loosely-judging by the 'color' of the reflection (ie: looking at an overhead-light / sky, etc.. reflected in it..) I'd guess the cammy-filters use something closer to Edmunds "VIS-0", which has an even-better T-curve than the 'CDAR', at least at 445 and below.. http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...757#post220757 so, they very-well may be better than the 'CDAR' in some cases.. Either way, a slight 'rake-back' angle seems to help, both with T-efficiency, and, eliminating any 'ghosting' / retro-reflection off galvo-shafts / the Y-mir, etc..

fwiw..
j