New Reticle® 300 investment marks the first step in a planned expansion of advanced optical coating capabilities
Angstrom Engineering and Blue Ridge Optics Announce Strategic Partnership Expansion
CAMBRIDGE, Ontario, Canada and BEDFORD, Virginia, USA — Angstrom Engineering®, a global leader in thin film deposition equipment and vacuum process solutions, is pleased to announce that Blue Ridge Optics (BRO), a leading manufacturer of precision laser optics and thin film coatings, has purchased a Reticle® 300 Precision Ion Beam Sputtering Deposition (IBSD) System.
The new system will enhance Blue Ridge Optics’ ability to deliver the highest-performance optical coatings for demanding applications across aerospace, defense, medical, scientific research, industrial laser, and advanced photonics markets. The Reticle® 300 installation marks the first in a planned family of advanced coating systems that Blue Ridge Optics intends to deploy as part of its long-term strategy to expand both coating capacity and technical capability.
This investment reflects the growing relationship between the two companies and a shared commitment to advancing optical coating technologies capable of meeting increasingly stringent performance requirements.
Enabling the Next Generation of Optical Coatings
The Reticle® 300 platform is designed to produce high-density, environmentally stable optical coatings through precision ion beam sputtering deposition. The technology enables exceptional control of film thickness, uniformity, and optical performance, making it well suited for applications requiring the highest levels of durability, spectral precision, and laser damage resistance.
The Reticle® 300 will further strengthen Blue Ridge Optics position as a trusted manufacturing partner for customers requiring advanced optical coating solutions for mission-critical applications. It is the first step in a broader roadmap designed to expand Blue Ridge Optics’ coating operations over the coming years.
“The Reticle 300 investment is more than the acquisition of a coating platform; it is an investment in the future of precision photonics manufacturing. By expanding domestic IBS capacity, Blue Ridge Optics is helping ensure that critical optical technologies can be developed and produced within the United States for the industries that depend on them most.” — Walter Siehien – CTO
About Blue Ridge Optics
Blue Ridge Optics is a fully integrated manufacturer of precision laser optics, thin film coatings, and optical assemblies serving customers worldwide. The company specializes in high-performance optical coatings, precision-polished optics, laser components, and custom optical solutions used in aerospace, defense, medical, industrial, and scientific applications.
Through its expertise in optical fabrication, metrology, and coating technologies, Blue Ridge Optics helps customers develop and manufacture optical systems for some of the world’s most demanding environments and applications.
“Customers are increasingly seeking large-format optical coatings that combine exceptional optical performance with the scalability required for production programs. The Reticle 300 positions Blue Ridge Optics to meet that demand while supporting our long-term strategy of becoming a premier supplier of advanced coated optics for high-power laser and defense applications.” — Brad Lewis – Sr. Director | Business Development
About Angstrom Engineering
Founded in 1992, Angstrom Engineering designs and manufactures advanced thin film deposition systems and vacuum process equipment for research, development, and production applications worldwide. The company’s portfolio includes physical vapor deposition (PVD), ion beam sputtering deposition (IBSD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), and integrated cluster tool platforms supporting industries ranging from optics and photonics to quantum technologies, semiconductor development, energy, and advanced materials.
The Reticle® family of ion beam sputtering platforms is engineered specifically for the deposition of high-performance optical coatings requiring exceptional purity, density, repeatability, and long-term stability.
“Blue Ridge Optics’ decision to build its future coating expansion strategy around the Reticle® platform is a significant milestone for both organizations. This partnership reflects growing confidence in the performance and scalability of our optical coating solutions while reinforcing Angstrom Engineering’s position as a trusted technology partner for leading optics manufacturers. As demand for advanced optical coatings continues to grow, we look forward to supporting Blue Ridge Optics’ long-term expansion plans and advancing the next generation of optical manufacturing technologies.” — Akhil Vohra – Director | Product Management
