Knight Optical

Knight Optical Bringing Quality Into Focus Global Leader in Precision Optical Components

Beam expanders are the quiet workhorses behind high‑quality laser cutting, shaping the beam profile long before it reach...
10/04/2026

Beam expanders are the quiet workhorses behind high‑quality laser cutting, shaping the beam profile long before it reaches the workpiece.

When a system requires a tighter spot, improved edge quality, or consistent results over long production runs, the optical elements inside the expander become absolutely critical.

At Knight Optical, we supply the precision lenses, AR‑coated windows, and laser‑grade mirrors that help beam expanders maintain stable divergence and minimal scatter - as well as beam expanders themselves. High‑performance cutting starts with dependable optics, and every KO component is metrology‑verified to provide you with clean, accurate laser processing you can trust.

From targeting and ranging to surveillance, guidance, and ruggedised imaging platforms, modern defence systems rely on o...
09/04/2026

From targeting and ranging to surveillance, guidance, and ruggedised imaging platforms, modern defence systems rely on optical components that perform flawlessly in some of the most demanding operational environments.

Knight Optical supplies high‑precision domes, toughened windows, sapphire optics, and infrared components engineered for durability, clarity, and stability when exposed to shock, vibration, temperature extremes, and demanding field conditions.

Our optical windows and domes, available in materials such as N-BK7, sapphire, Gorilla Glass, and UV fused silica, provide robust protection for sensors, cameras, and laser‑based systems without compromising transmission or imaging performance. For thermal imaging, targeting, or low‑visibility operations, Knight Optical also offers SWIR, MWIR and LWIR infrared optics suitable for mission‑critical defence applications.

Every component is fully inspected in our in‑house metrology laboratory to ensure precision, consistency, and absolute reliability, giving defence engineers confidence in the optical performance of their systems, wherever the mission takes them.

Whether it’s the barcode scanners you use at the checkouts during your weekly food shop or the laser processing devices ...
07/04/2026

Whether it’s the barcode scanners you use at the checkouts during your weekly food shop or the laser processing devices that produce the metal parts in your car, beam expanders play a quiet yet crucial role in a variety of optical systems and laser technologies.

Their ability to take a narrow laser beam and expand it, all while keeping it controlled and parallel, make them critical components in a number of laser systems and in our latest blog, we explain what makes them so important and how they operate.

https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0sQqwZ0

Knight Optical’s Laser Beam Expanders are engineered for solid‑state laser systems requiring clean, stable, and controll...
03/04/2026

Knight Optical’s Laser Beam Expanders are engineered for solid‑state laser systems requiring clean, stable, and controllable beam delivery.

Offering 2X–12X fixed magnifications, >98% transmission at 355nm with optimised AR coatings, and high damage thresholds, they deliver consistent performance in demanding laser systems. Their Galilean design eliminates internal focus, ensuring no ghosting, low aberrations, and exceptional pointing stability below 1 µrad, with adjustable divergence for added flexibility.

Alongside stock options, Knight Optical also provides custom magnifications between 2X and 12X, as well as custom wavelengths, including 532nm and 1064nm.

Get in touch today to speak to an expert about how Knight Optical can support your next project with optics you can rely on.

Laser systems used in defence, industrial environments, or outdoor settings often face temperature fluctuations, vibrati...
02/04/2026

Laser systems used in defence, industrial environments, or outdoor settings often face temperature fluctuations, vibration, dust, and mechanical stress - all of which can affect optical alignment.

Beam expanders operating under these conditions require components that can be relied on to deliver both optical accuracy and environmental durability. Knight Optical supplies lenses, windows, and mirrors produced from robust substrates such as fused silica, N-BK7, and sapphire, paired with coatings designed to reduce reflection, scatter, and thermal drift.

This combination helps ensure that beam expanders remain stable and reliable when working conditions are anything but predictable.

Get in touch to speak to a member of our expert team about how we can supply the perfect optics for your next project.

Scientific instruments rely on optical components that deliver precision, stability, and reliability, from benchtop anal...
31/03/2026

Scientific instruments rely on optical components that deliver precision, stability, and reliability, from benchtop analytical tools to advanced imaging systems, and two materials frequently stand out for their versatility and performance: N‑BK7 and sapphire.

Each offers a distinct combination of optical, mechanical, and environmental advantages, and Knight Optical supplies both as high‑quality stock and custom components for scientific, educational, medical and industrial research settings.

In our newest blog, we explore why N‑BK7 and sapphire continue to be foundational materials for scientific optics, how their properties differ, and the types of components in which they are commonly used.

https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0sQmT10

From environmental monitoring to pharmaceutical analysis, nephelometry and turbidimetry depend on precision optical comp...
27/03/2026

From environmental monitoring to pharmaceutical analysis, nephelometry and turbidimetry depend on precision optical components to deliver accurate, repeatable measurements.

That’s why instrument designers rely on Knight Optical for high‑performance optics that keep light paths stable, controlled, and contamination‑free.

We supply aspheric and collimating lenses for clean beam delivery, bandpass filters tuned to target wavelengths, IR‑cut filters to prevent false scattering readings, and high‑transmission optical windows in materials like quartz and N‑BK7 for distortion‑free sampling. Our components are metrology‑validated and available in both stock and custom‑manufactured formats to support everything from compact laboratory units to rugged field‑deployed systems.

If you’re developing or refining nephelometric or turbidity instruments, Knight Optical delivers the optical precision your measurements depend on.

🧪 From biotechnology labs to medical devices, UVC sterilisation systems, and university research, Knight Optical’s preci...
26/03/2026

🧪 From biotechnology labs to medical devices, UVC sterilisation systems, and university research, Knight Optical’s precision‑engineered optics support some of the most demanding scientific applications.

We supply high‑quality lenses, filters, windows, domes, prisms, and custom components used in microscopy, spectroscopy, diagnostic imaging, UVC disinfection, and advanced research instrumentation, all backed by rigorous metrology and QA testing for guaranteed accuracy.

Whatever your field - bioscience, medical engineering, chemistry, or academic research - Knight Optical delivers reliable, on‑spec optical components that help bring scientific innovation into focus.

Accurate nephelometry relies on the quality of the optical components inside the instrument.From aspheric lenses and ban...
24/03/2026

Accurate nephelometry relies on the quality of the optical components inside the instrument.

From aspheric lenses and bandpass filters to IR‑cut filters, mirrors, and protective windows, every optic plays a crucial role in how effectively a nephelometer detects particulate matter in air and water.

In our latest blog below, we break down the full optical path inside a nephelometer and explain why component specifications matter for all manner of applications, ranging from pharmaceutical formulation and water‑quality testing to air‑pollution monitoring.

https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0sQpl50

Accurate turbidity and particle‑scattering measurements are only possible with reliable optical components.At Knight Opt...
20/03/2026

Accurate turbidity and particle‑scattering measurements are only possible with reliable optical components.

At Knight Optical, we supply a wide range of precision optical components used in nephelometry and turbidimetry systems that ensure stable, repeatable performance for laboratories, environmental monitoring, water‑quality analysis, pharmaceutical workflows, and industrial process control.

🔹 High‑transmission optical filters for wavelength selection and stray‑light suppression
🔹 Precision lenses and collimators for controlled illumination and detection paths
🔹 Optical windows with excellent clarity for in‑line and benchtop measurement cells

As always, every optic is inspected in our in‑house metrology and QA laboratory to ensure the accuracy and reliability these measurement methods depend on.

Stay tuned to Knight Optical channels for a new blog next week on Nephelometry.

We're now just one week away from Oceanology International 2026!From the 10th-12th March, the world's leading marine sci...
03/03/2026

We're now just one week away from Oceanology International 2026!

From the 10th-12th March, the world's leading marine science and technology communities will be at the Excel London to explore and showcase cutting-edge technologies and solutions from across the entire sector.

This year, for the first time ever, Knight Optical are absolutely thrilled to be exhibiting! You'll be able to find us at stand Q18, so if you're attending be sure to stop by and speak to our expert team about everything from our custom precision optics to how you could be in with a chance to win a LEGO set of The Endurance, Shackleton's famed Antartic exploration vessel!

To find out more about Knight Optical at Oceanology International, including how to pre-book your meeting with us, follow the link below.

https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0rpv-z0

Across almost all sectors, manufacturers' quality inspection systems are only as good as the optics behind them. From el...
27/02/2026

Across almost all sectors, manufacturers' quality inspection systems are only as good as the optics behind them. From electronics and automotive to pharmaceuticals and packaging, precision optical components play a crucial role in ensuring every product that leaves the line meets the standards expected by the customer.

At Knight Optical, we support these systems with optics that deliver clarity, consistency, and repeatability. Diffusers and collimating lenses help create uniform, controlled illumination; bandpass and polarising filters enhance contrast for reliable defect detection; and high‑performance imaging optics ensure crisp, distortion‑free results.

Whether it’s improving throughput, tightening tolerances, or simply giving cameras a clearer view, precision optics remain at the heart of modern quality inspection systems, and we’re proud to play our part in helping our customers build systems they can trust.

Address

Harrietsham
ME171AB

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+441622859444

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Knight Optical posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Knight Optical:

Shortcuts

Share