Custom Quartz Light Guide Rods

Parameter	Available Configuration	Specify for Quote
Diameter	Ø1–25 mm typical	Nominal diameter and drawing tolerance
Length	Up to 500 mm typical	Finished length and end allowance
End-face finish	Fire-polished, ground, fine-polished or optical-polished	Finish for each end face
Side-wall finish	As-drawn, ground, locally polished, fully polished or locally frosted	Controlled zone and optical function
Geometry	Straight, angled, tapered, stepped or diffusing	Complete profile and reference datums
Mechanical features	Grooves, flats, notches, shoulders and reduced sections	Feature position and orientation
Material	Fused quartz or optical-grade fused silica	Working wavelength or named grade
Inspection	Dimensions, straightness, end geometry, feature position and optical surfaces	Critical dimensions and acceptance method

Inquiry

We manufacture custom quartz light guide rods for UV, visible and optical light transmission. Parts are produced in fused quartz or optical-grade fused silica, with typical diameters from Ø1–25 mm and custom lengths up to 500 mm.

Straight, tapered, stepped, angled, grooved and diffusing designs are available. The input and output faces can use different finishes, allowing the optical coupling surface, output pattern and mechanical mounting features to be specified independently.

Quartz Light Guide Rod Configurations

Choose the geometry around the optical path and the way the rod locates in the assembly. Several features can be combined in one finished component.

Straight Light Guide Rods

The most direct configuration for transferring light between a source and a target, optical cell or detector. The two end faces may use matching or different finishes.

Parallel ends
Fire-polished ends
Optically polished ends
Ground output face
Polished side wall

Angled-End Light Guides

Used when the input or output face cannot be perpendicular to the rod axis. The angle can be referenced to a locating flat, groove or other orientation feature.

Single or double angled ends
45° face
Custom end angle
Ground or optical polish

Tapered Light Guide Rods

A reduced input or output diameter connects a smaller optical interface to the main rod body. Short or long transitions can be combined with grooves and chamfers.

Reduced input
Reduced output
Straight taper
Formed transition

Stepped Rods

Two or more diameters create an optical coupling end, mounting shoulder or mechanical locating surface without adding a separate component.

Single or double step
Reduced end section
Mounting shoulder
Polished reduced end

Grooves, Flats & Locating Features

Machined features locate the light guide in an optical or mechanical assembly. Feature position can be controlled relative to the optical end face.

V-groove
Circumferential groove
Longitudinal flat
Locating notch
Custom profile

Diffusing Light Guides

Controlled ground or frosted areas distribute light instead of maintaining a fully clear output. Clear and diffusing zones are made to the drawing.

Frosted output
Ground output
Frosted side section
Partial diffuser
Clear input

Manufacturing & Optical Finishing

Quartz light guides require dimensional work and optical surface processing in the same manufacturing route. These four stages are where geometry, coupling efficiency, assembly fit and inspection requirements are established.

Material & Blank Preparation

Fused quartz or optical-grade fused silica is chosen for the operating wavelength, purity requirement, diameter and service environment. Rod blanks are cut with allowance for final end processing.

Grade, wavelength, blank size and orientation confirmed before machining

Geometry Forming

Precision diameters, reduced sections, tapers, steps and angled ends are established to the drawing. Geometry is planned so later polishing does not remove critical locating relationships.

Diameter, length, step position, end angle and straightness checked

Optical Face Finishing

Each face is finished for its function: ground, fire-polished, fine-polished, optically polished, frosted or angled-polished. Input and output faces do not need to match.

Finish, face orientation and optical surface requirement verified

Feature Machining & Inspection

Grooves, flats, notches and mounting shoulders are added after the main optical geometry is stable. Final inspection follows the drawing and agreed optical requirements.

Feature position, surface condition and critical dimensions recorded

Specify the Surface Finish by Function

Surface	Available finish	What to define on the drawing
Input face	Fire-polished, fine-polished or optical-polished	Wavelength, coupling method, surface quality and angular relationship
Output face	Polished, ground, frosted or angled-polished	Clear or diffusing output, finish area, angle and reference datum
Cylindrical surface	As-drawn, diameter-ground, locally polished or fully polished	Controlled diameter length, clear zone and cosmetic limits
Mechanical features	Ground or machined grooves, flats, notches and shoulders	Feature position, orientation, edge treatment and fit tolerance

Material Selection

General fused quartz is suitable for many illumination, equipment and high-temperature light-transfer components. Optical-grade fused silica is selected when spectral transmission, material homogeneity or controlled optical surfaces are more important.

UV, visible and NIR grades can be reviewed against the working wavelength and optical path length. If a named material is required, include the manufacturer, grade, certificate requirement and any OH or transmission limit in the RFQ.

Inspection for Finished Light Guides

Inspection can cover diameter, length, straightness, end geometry, groove dimensions, feature position and surface finish. For optical components, add the required flatness, parallelism, perpendicularity and surface-quality callouts rather than relying on a general “optical polish” note.

Typical Applications

UV Processing

Transfers UV light from a lamp or optical source to curing, exposure and processing areas.

Optical Instruments

Connects light sources, optical cells, sensors and detectors with controlled end faces and locating features.

Sensor Assemblies

Provides a rigid optical path in compact equipment using angled ends, steps, grooves or flats.

High-Temperature Access

Extends the optical path toward a heated process area while keeping the source or detector farther away.

Send the Complete Light Guide Configuration

Provide the material or wavelength, diameter, length, end-face finishes, feature locations, tolerances and quantity. Prototype and production quantities are available.

Customize This Product

Engineering Data