R&D Capabilities

Reynard Corporation is regarded as one of the world’s leading production  facilities for the design and manufacturing of custom thin film optical components. Our  capabilities are vast with our state of the art design software and custom  design tools. With over 30 continuous years of custom design experience and  over 1,000 pre-existing designs available, we are able to meet the coating  requirements of today’s stringent specification.

Research & Development of optical materials and processes have been  at the center of Reynard Corporation’s success since our inception. We continue  to be innovators in the advancement of thin film coatings through internal R  & D, SBIR programs, commercial development projects and research  partnerships.

Reynard Corporation offers research and development capabilities in  technology areas that support markets in aerospace, military, medical,  telecommunications, imaging, solar power, and instrumentation, among  others.  These capabilities include specific optical and mechanical fabrication, thin film coatings, photolithography,  or QC measurement standards, through to custom  designed, infrared technology or build-to-print optics that includes all or  some of the listed capabilities.

SBIR Programs:

We are actively involved in Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) programs offered by the agencies of the US Government.  These programs allow us to develop and demonstrate novel approaches to solve real problems faced by the US military.  Two such programs are currently in Phase II development, and are described below.

Variable Neutral Density Filter, N05-002

Missile guidance systems require a unique combination of both robust and compact optical elements, typically composed of lenses, optical attenuators, and optical filters.  These optical systems are needed to both generate and gather reflected light, and are required to do so in an increasingly smaller space.  The Variable Neutral Density Filter being developed in this program reduces the optical system to a single optical element tuned for a particular missile guidance system.

Hardened By Design Optical Coatings (HDOC), MDA04-112

Hardened optical coating designs have been cited as a key technology for use in military space telescope applications.  These mirror coatings require very high reflection performance, as well as increased survivability capabilities in high x-ray radiation conditions.  Reynard Corporation is developing both single-band and multi-band optical coatings that meet or exceed the requirements of these telescope applications.

Partnerships:

We have engaged in many development partnerships with leading edge companies, such as Raytheon, Radiant Imaging, etc.  These development programs have spanned from the fabrication and polishing of exotic materials, to innovative thin film coating solutions, to precision sub-system design and assembly.  Some of the materials we have worked with in these programs include InSb, HeCdTe, Sapphire, and Silicon Carbide (SiC).  These developments have also allowed us to perfect the processing of soft materials, such as optical quality bare aluminum.

Internal R & D:

Innovation resulting from internal R&D has enabled us to develop complex coating solutions with high accuracy and repeatability.  For example, innovation in gradient filters has propelled us an industry leadership position with our development of Bullseye™ apodizing and variable neutral density filters, which continue to evolve. Internal R&D into fabrication allows us to shape and surface finish hard materials such as Fused Silica, Silicon Carbide, and Sapphire, as well as soft materials such as bare aluminum and various infrared materials.

We invite you to get to know us a bit better through the products that we offer and allow us to support and offer solutions to your R& D requirements. Contact us today or send us a request for quote.