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 large 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 (primary and 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.

12.5" f/3.2, 1.1"-thick Quartz - in process
16" f/5 Pyrex, 1.40"-thick Pyrex - in process
24" f/3.3, 1.6" Supremax, 5.5" m.a. quartz flat - in process - for StarStructure
30" f/3.3 Supremax, 6.5" m.a. quartz flat - in process

Test reports are produced using a calibrated 4D PhaseCam 6000, a truly state of the art interferometric measurement system. We typically average ~600 measurements to remove air currents, and these are high-resolution with tens of thousands of points per measurement. We rotate the optic remove most test stand astigmatism. We do not cancel terms or use other methods to improve test results. In fact, 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. We believe that this is the most thorough, accurate, and honest testing in the industry.

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 20" you will find!
24" f/3.3, 1.6"-thick Supremax, 5.5" m.a. quartz flat

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