Category : Optics (components, coatings, instruments and systems) > Custom optics, OEM

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Optical Surfaces Ltd. (Kenley, UK) has supplied the key focusing optics for a new low-cost Fibre Lidar system recently launched by QinetiQ Ltd. (Farnborough, UK) for making local wind speed measurements in front of wind turbines.

QinetiQ has been a pioneer in the development and implementation of Lidar systems for wind sensing for over 20 years. Their new Fibre Lidar Anemometer provides remote wind speed and direction measurements up to 200m distant. Apart from many meteorological and Air Traffic Control applications the lidar offers a unique advantage to the wind energy industry providing warning of turbulence and wind speed changes that will permit intelligent blade pitch control.

Internationally renowned for producing high precision optics Optical Surfaces were selected by QinetiQ to produce a lens design that would provide a focus at 200 metres that was diffraction limited so as to give the ultimate in performance. The use of an aspheric surface allowed the designer to achieve the required performance with the fewest components - reducing the build cost of the system. The lens design created by Optical Surfaces comprised a 200mm focal length aspheric doublet with a durable V-coat to optimise performance at 1.5 µm but also to allow the lens to be cleaned.

The aspheric doublet was supplied mounted and tested after coating by topographic and interferometric analysis. Production approved to ISO 9001-2000 all high precision optics and systems leaving the Optical Surfaces Ltd. production facility are quality certified.

Operating at a wavelength of 1.5 µm the Fibre Lidar is inherently eye-safe and may be installed, operated and maintained without the need for special precautions. QinetiQ Lidar equipment and expertise are used in the fields of meteorology, aviation and the environment to monitor airflow, wind speed and distribution of airborne pollution.

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