HR right-angle retroreflectors

The main application for HR right-angle retroreflectors (RR) is for ultrashort pulse back-reflection. Prisms or corner cube retroreflectors introduce considerable group delay dispersion,                           while HR right-angle retroreflectors have controlled GDD coatings. Such retroreflectors are popular among laser source manufacturers.

Dielectric and metallic coatings can be applied on flat mirrors glued into HR right-angle retroreflectors. A custom design provides the opportunity to create such products as low-loss retroreflectors,        broadband low-GDD retroreflectors, wide-acceptance-angle retroreflectors, and even retroreflectors that work as wavelength separators.

Over more than 20 years, Altechna has gathered experience in manufacturing custom retroreflectors. All the main coating technologies, including e-beam + IAD, IBS and magnetron sputtering, can be applied in the RR manufacturing process.

The assembly process of HR right-angle retroreflectors allows controlling the right angle during the gluing procedure. The standard right-angle accuracy is < 30 arcsec, and < 10 arcsec can be             achieved upon request.

Another application for retroreflectors was demonstrated in 1962, during the Lunar Laser Ranging experiment. Researchers succeeded in observing laser pulses reflected from a retroreflector array left on the surface of the Moon by those involved in the Apollo 11 mission.