![]() Expertise includes:
Work requests can be submitted by filling the Optics Group's work request from. The crystal optics facilities are described below. |
Dicing/Cutting Laboratory (COF2) |
The lab is equipped with (1) two dicing saws for precisely and delicately cutting relatively thin wafers and plates into distinct pieces, (2) a rotary diamond blade saw for cutting large crystal boules, and (3) diamond-wire saw for cutting/slicing crystal boules of Si and Ge up to 8 inches in diameter and length. The diamond-wire saw cuts crystals very gently with low strains/damages and minimal loss of valuable material. |
Etching Laboratory (Bldg. 401/L0104) |
This facility is used to etch crystals using wet chemical methods (mainly HF and HNO3) to remove surface layers that have stresses/strains/damages induced by machining processes. |
Polishing Lab (COF3) |
The Polishing Laboratory utilizes the following lappers/polishers (in addition to various small polishers and lappers): |
Hyprez LM28 Lapping Machine (Engis) |
This machine is used for planarization and thinning of optical components up to 300mm diameter on hard pad or composite copper lapping plate. |
Strasbaugh 6CM Continuous Polisher |
This 36" table machine is set up with optical pitch for fine low-angstrom polishing of single crystal optical components and substrates using colloidal silica slurry. For best results, parts up to 200mm diagonal can be polished, in some cases parts up to 300mm diagonal can be accommodated. |
Strasbaugh 6DF-1 Precision Polishmaster |
This versatile overarm polisher can be outfitted with variety of plates and pads to perform intermediate and fine polishing steps, using diamond or colloidal silica slurries. A novel home-made automated machine for polishing channel-cut crystals This new home-made instrument can be used for machine polishing of channel-cut crystal |
Inspection Equipment |
The Fabrication Laboratory is equipped with DIC microscope for immediate inspection during polishing process. Optics requiring more detailed inspection and accurate measurements are sent to the Metorology Laboratory. |
Other Equipment (in collaboration with the ANL Central Shops) |
Two high-precision grinders; Blanchard precise grinder; several overarm polishers; core drill press; and Ultrasound mill. |
X-ray Laboratory (Bldg. 401/L0111 and 401/L0120) |
This laboratory is equipped with three main instruments:
Advanced X-ray characterization of crystal optics is carried out at the 1-BM Optics and Detectors Test Beamline. |
Crystal Optics Research and Development |
R&D in crystal optics is carried out either independently, or jointly with the APS beamline scientists and user community, or in collaboration with other facilities to keep the group at the state-of-the art in x-ray optics. Examples include designing and development of high-to ultrahigh- resolution crystal monochromators and analyzers (from sub-10 meV to sub-meV) for IXS/RIXS, strain-free crystal polishing with roughness toward 1A, automated machine polishing of channel-cut crystals, quartz-based X-ray optics, diamond optics, SiC optics, etc. |