Optical bench.

Particularly low coefficient of thermal expansion

A major problem with precision optics is the thermal expansion of almost all known materials. Temperature changes often cause optical components (e.g. lenses, prisms) to shift within the optical system. These reduce the imaging accuracy or must be compensated for in other ways by elaborate measures.

In addition to their particular suitability for lightweight structures and mechanics, silicon nitride-based ceramics in particular offer the advantage of a particularly low coefficient of thermal expansion. This significantly reduces the influence of temperature fluctuations on the imaging accuracy of optical systems. In special individual cases, however, materials based on silicon carbide can also be considered for optical bench applications.