Lockwood
Custom Optics
Finished mirrors and in-process mirrors
LCO typically produces custom optics to customer specifications up to 50" in diameter. We can produce as large as 60" with some equipment modification.It is not possible to predict what clients will want and have stock on hand, but when time allows we also try to finish blanks that we have on hand to offer for sale as finished mirrors with lower wait times, often only the time it takes to ship and coat an optic.
The Newtonian primary optics or optical sets (paraboloidal primary and flat secondary) listed below are usually finished and ready for coating, and will be sent for the buyer's choice of coating by LCO's recommended coaters when payment is received. (See my FAQ for coating-related and other questions.) The optics will be in a quality packing box, and a permanent center mark will be precisely scribed into the exact center of the primary mirror for easy placement of an adhesive center mark of your choice. Email for a price quote.
- 16" f/5 Pyrex, 1.4"-thick Pyrex - last one, READY FOR COATING
- 24" f/3.3, 1.6" Supremax, 5.5" m.a. quartz - READY FOR COATING
- 12.5" f/3.2, 1.1"-thick Quartz - READY FOR COATING
- 30" f/3.3 Supremax, 6.5" m.a. quartz flat - in process
We do not cancel terms or use other methods to improve test results. We do not use other types of data to create an artificial synthetic interferogram, we use an actual calibrated interferometer. We feel that our optical surfaces are actually better than the test results show due to small residual errors from air currents and test stand distortion due to gravity that we can't remove from the test results.
Common mirror specifications
For reference, typical specifications for selected optical sets are listed below. Most of our mirrors are custom-made, and of course we make custom sizes and f/#s. Please contact LCO by email (mirrors (at) loptics (dot) com) for optics quotes. We are happy to quote exactly what you need if it's not on the list here.| Mirror,
substrate, # available |
Weight |
Typical
thickness |
Secondary
size, material |
| 12.5" f/4.8, f/3.3, f/2.8 (future sizes, date TBD) | 11 lbs. | 1.1" | Various |
| 16"
f/3.7, quartz |
20
lbs. |
1.3" |
3.5"
m.a., Supremax |
| 18" f/3.5, quartz | 26 lbs. | 1.4" | 4.0" m.a., quartz |
| 20"
f/3.3, quartz |
30
lbs. |
1.5" |
4.5"
m.a., quartz |
| 22" f/3.3, quartz | 42 lbs. | 1.6" | 5.0" m.a. quartz |
| 24" f/3.3,
Supremax, quartz |
48 lbs. |
1.6" |
5.5"
m.a., Supremax |
| 30" f/3.3,
f/3.0, one Supremax f/3.3, quartz (both) |
95 lbs. |
2.0" |
6.5",
7.0"
m.a., quartz |
| 36" f/3.3, f/3.0, quartz | 170 lbs. | 2.4" | 7.5", 8.0" m.a. quartz |
| 40" f/3.0, f/3.5, quartz
(custom) |
~215 lbs. |
2.6" |
9.0" m.a., quartz |
| 50" f/3.0, quartz (custom) |
~395 lbs. |
3.0" |
~10.5" m.a., quartz |
Weight is the approximate weight of the primary mirror only, and Typical Thickness is the normal approximate thickness of the primary mirror at the edge. Thinner mirrors cool much faster and perform better when properly supported. They also weigh less, of course.
LCO makes custom optics, but longer lead times are required because it is impossible to stock all sizes and focal ratios that a client might want! See the list of finished mirrors above and mirror blanks in stock below for some ideas on your future telescope. As said above, many optical sets above are available for sale on their own, please contact LCO for details.
Mirror blanks in stock (for sale as completed mirrors)
NOTE: These are mirror blanks, not finished mirrors, and are on hand and ready for grinding. They are for sale only as finished mirrors.- 20" f/3.3, 1.25"-thick Pyrex - ONE in stock, then they're gone - the lightest superb 20" you will find!
- 24" f/3.3, 1.6"-thick Supremax, 5.5" m.a.
quartz flat