Product Case Studies

An empty retroreflector typically consists of three mutually perpendicular plane mirrors, which form a pyramid structure with an internal angle of 90 degrees. When light enters the retroreflector and comes into contact with these three reflective surfaces, it undergoes three reflections and eventually leaves the retroreflector in the opposite direction to the incident light. Due to the special arrangement of reflective surfaces, the reflection path of incident light is completely independent of its incident angle, which means that the reflected light always follows the opposite direction of the incident light, achieving a high degree of directional stability.

characteristic

• Directional stability：Hollow retroreflector can accurately reflect incident light back to its original direction, and the direction of the reflected light is independent of the angle of the incident light.
• Colorless dispersion：Due to the fact that the retroreflection of light is achieved through reflection rather than refraction, hollow retroreflectors do not introduce dispersion and are suitable for wideband light sources.
• high reflectivity：The use of high reflectivity coatings on reflective surfaces can achieve high reflectivity, making them suitable for high-power laser applications.
• High temperature resistance and chemical stability：Due to the absence of optical glue or other materials that are easily affected by temperature and chemicals in its structure, the hollow retroreflector has good high temperature resistance and chemical stability.

application

1. Laser tracking and measurement：In laser tracking systems, hollow retroreflectors are used to maintain the direction of the laser beam unchanged, thereby improving measurement accuracy.
2. Optical Communication：In optical communication systems, hollow retroreflectors are used to ensure that signal beams propagate along a fixed path and improve signal stability.
3. scientific research：Hollow retroreflectors are used in physics, astronomy, and other scientific fields to achieve precise beam control and measurement.
4. interferometer：In laser interferometry measurement technology, a hollow retroreflector is used to ensure the stability of the laser beam path and improve the measurement accuracy of the interferometer.

advantage

• Provide a highly stable reflected light path, suitable for applications that require high-precision beam control.
• Colorless dispersion, suitable for wideband applications.
• Good high temperature resistance and chemical stability, suitable for use in harsh environments.

disadvantage

• Compared to other types of retroreflectors, the structure of hollow retroreflectors is more complex, which may result in higher costs.
• In some applications, additional optical components are required to guide light into and out of the retroreflector.

Hollow retroreflectors play an important role in various optical systems due to their unique design and excellent optical performance, especially in applications that require extremely high beam direction stability and accuracy.