Product Description
Surplus Precision Aspheric Meniscus Lens from U.S. Government Research Laboratory – WFOV Telescope Assembly L1
This rare, custom-fabricated aspheric meniscus lens is the L1 (Lens 1) component from a Wide Field of View (WFOV) Telescope Assembly, originally developed in 2010 for a U.S. Government Research Laboratory’s advanced optics R&D. Sourced from government surplus, it features dual-sided aspheric profiles for superior aberration correction, making it ideal for high-performance imaging systems. The lens was precision-coated by Barr Associates (now Materion Precision Optics) , a leader in thin-film optics, with separate production runs for the front (R1) and rear (R2) surfaces, enhancing transmission and reducing reflections—optimized for visible to near-infrared wavelengths. With traceable provenance via original labels (included), this is a collector’s or engineer’s gem for prototyping or integration into custom setups.
Condition
PRISTINE, UNUSED SURPLUS
SEALED UNTIL RECENTLY OPENED FOR INSPECTION
NO DEFECTS, SCRATCHES, OR IMPERFECTIONS
HIGH-POLISH SURFACES WITH UNIFORM ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATINGS
ORIGINAL CERTIFICATION LABELS INCLUDED
Key Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Barr Associates (now Materion Precision Optics) for U.S. Government Research Laboratory |
| Part Designation | L1 (Lens 1) from WFOV Telescope Assembly |
| Date of Manufacture | January 29, 2010 |
| Batch Number | N25067 |
| Shape/Type | Convex-concave meniscus (positive converging lens) with aspheric surfaces on both sides |
| Outer Diameter | ~112 mm |
| Effective Optical Aperture | ~103-105 mm |
| Edge Thickness | ~15.5 mm |
| Sagitta (Curvature) | Front convex: ~2.5 mm outward; Rear concave: ~9 mm inward |
| Plano Edges | Front: ~4.5 mm wide; Rear: ~3.5 mm wide (for secure mounting) |
| Effective Focal Length (EFL) | Sunlight-verified: 49 inches (1245 mm) ±3 inches |
| F-Number | ~f/11 (balanced for wide-field precision with good light gathering) |
| Material | High-purity fused silica (thermal stability, low expansion) |
| Coatings | Custom thin-film anti-reflective (AR) via RUN #s: HC7_101216-2 (R1/front) and HC7_101216-1 (R2/rear) |
| Coating Performance | Reduces surface losses to <1-2%; potential multi-spectral tuning |
Optical Design Advantages
The aspheric meniscus design (convex-concave) with dual-sided aspheric profiles provides exceptional aberration correction:
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Minimized Coma, Astigmatism, and Distortion: Critical for wide-field applications where standard spherical lenses introduce image degradation .
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Wide Field of View: Engineered for WFOV performance (10-20°+ fields in full assemblies), enabling broad-area imaging without bulky corrector elements .
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Compact Form Factor: The meniscus shape allows for positive converging power in a relatively thin package .
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Thermal Stability: Fused silica substrate ensures minimal focus shift with temperature changes—essential for precision instrumentation .
Applications & Versatility
Defense and Surveillance Prototypes:
As a front corrector in WFOV imaging sensors for remote sensing, UAV/drone cameras, or satellite tracking—corrects off-axis aberrations for broad-area monitoring without additional elements .
Astronomy and Space Instrumentation:
Integrates into compact telescopes or star trackers for asteroid detection or celestial navigation, leveraging aspheric design for uniform focus across wide angles .
Scientific Research and Lab Setups:
Ideal for electro-optics experiments, laser radar testing, or multi-spectral imaging (visible/IR)—pair with detectors for thermal or low-light studies .
Custom Optics Builds:
DIY or professional use in catadioptric systems, machine vision, or microscopy prototypes—long focal length enables detailed, distortion-free imaging .
Educational and Hobbyist Projects:
Perfect for optics demonstrations, telescope modifications, or STEM kits—demonstrates advanced aberration correction in a compact form factor .



