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This section provides an overview for cylindrical lenses as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 33 cylindrical lens manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked cylindrical lens companies as of April, 2025: 1.ORAFOL Fresnel Optics GmbH, 2.DG optoelectronics Co., Ltd., 3.JML Optical Industries.
Table of Contents
A cylinder lens is a lens in the shape of a cylinder (cylindrical). It has a mantle shape with a portion of the side surface of the cylinder cut out.
The incident plane of the lens is divided into two components, the x-axis, and the y-axis. Only one axis has a curvature that acts as a lens, while the other has no curvature and acts merely as a window. Therefore, only one direction of the image is enlarged or reduced.
This is used to change the magnification of the image in only one direction.
Cylinder lenses convert a laser beam into a line (laser line generator) to focus light on a slit aperture or line sensor. They can also collimate an elliptical beam of a semiconductor laser with different spread angles in two orthogonal directions into a circular beam to obtain a parallel beam (collimating).
For image processing applications, it is used to correct astigmatism and to enlarge or reduce the height of an image in only one axis direction.
Specifically, they have significant roles in laser printers, photocopiers, barcode scanning, laser projectors, holography equipment, laser markers, etc.
Cylindrical lenses can have a variety of shapes, including rectangular, square, circular, and elliptical. Plano-convex shapes diverge light, while plano-convex shapes focus light. Extending the total length of a cylindrical lens along a non-curvature axis does not affect the optical power of the lens.
For example, when a narrow laser beam is injected into a cylindrical lens, a flat laser beam is emitted because the beam is diffused in the direction with curvature (direction perpendicular to the matrix). In contrast, in the direction without curvature (along the matrix), the beam is the thickness of the original laser beam.
When looking at the laser surface spread like a sheet with a camera, objects crossing the sheet will shine through, and the position, size, and speed of these objects can be examined. A typical example is the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) method.
Also, when a sheet of light is shone on a wall, a straight line is drawn, which can be combined with a level to project a highly accurate horizontal line. This is called a laser marker and is utilized on construction sites.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Ross Optical is based in Texas, USA, and is a manufacturer of optical assemblies and components that was established in 1983 as a subsidiary of the Precision Optics Corporation. The company offers custom optics such as aspherical lenses, complex assemblies such as optical systems, and standard optics such as beamsplitters. It also offers a range of specialized coatings including Rmax and anti-reflection coatings. The company's products are mainly used by clients in the automation, defense, and aerospace industries.
Thorlabs, Inc, established in Newton, NJ in 1989, is a manufacturer of photonics equipment for research, manufacturing, and biomedical applications. Their product portfolio includes optical components, for use in imaging, sensing, and spectroscopy applications, spectrometers and analyzers used for research and industrial applications, fiber optic components and photomultiplier tubes, and imaging devices that capture and measure light signals for diverse applications in scientific research. The company has sales offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, China, and Brazil.
Argyle International, Inc., founded in China in 1993, is a manufacturer of optical components, filters, and coating materials. The company's product range includes customized machined parts, lenses, prisms, mirrors, and light pipes. The company has a sales office in Princeton, NJ in the USA and its factory is located in China. It also provides concave tooling that is used for convex lens surfaces, and convex tooling for concave lens surfaces.
Rocky Mountain Instrument Co. is a manufacturer of precision optics with a long history of experience in the optics and coatings industry. The company is based in Colorado, United States and is founded in 1957. The company products include optical components, high power coatings, and optical assemblies. The company specializes in precision optics that operate in the widest range of wavelengths from deep UV to far IR. RMI optics and coatings products are designed, manufactured, and tested.
Tower Optical Corporation is a provider and manufacturer of Precision optics, optical components and systems. The company is based in Florida, United States and was founded in 1978. The company products include Crystal Quartz Waveplates, Achromatic Waveplates (retarders), lenses, filters, and optical flats. The company stock and "build to spec" custom products are used in photonics technology, electro-optics, lasers, telecommunications, medical instruments, optical imaging and optical computing, and military systems. The company serves industries like aerospace, defense, medical, telecommunications, and more.
Sterling Precision Optics, Inc. (SPO) is an American custom manufacturer of optics, filters, and glass components established in 1958 and based in Evanston, Illinois. The company produces various optical components and precision glass, including optical mirrors and coatings, filters, prisms, and beam splitters. These have applications in sensors, detectors, cameras, and instrumentation used for precision analysis. SPO primarily serves clients in the aerospace, defense, and medical industries, including Hamamatsu Photonics, Ikelite Underwater Systems, and the U.S. Navy.
JML Optical Industries, established in 1972 and based in Rochester, New York, USA, is a manufacturer of optical components and systems for various applications using Nanotechnology. The company offers a diverse range of products, including precision lenses, optical filters, and imaging systems. These solutions provide benefits such as enhanced clarity, improved light transmission, and precise imaging, supporting applications in industries like aerospace, medical devices, and scientific research. The precision lenses provide accurate focus and magnification, while optical filters enhance light quality for specific wavelengths that cater to the unique needs of diverse applications.
Newport is a division of MKS Instruments, Inc. that was incorporated in 1961 and headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts. The company is a manufacturing company that serves the specialty industrial, advanced electronics, and semiconductor industries. The company markets its products through Spectra-Physics, MKS Instruments, Richardson Grating, and other brands. Their product categories include motion, optomechanics, optics, and vacuum instruments. Product categories include lasers, MKS vacuum & gas solutions, laser diode controls, and tables & isolation systems.
Altechna, established in 1996 and headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania, is a manufacturer of laser optics and optomechanical assemblies. The company's products include metallic-coated optics, thin film polarizers, and optomechanical components such as beam expanders, laser attenuators, and industrial mirror mounts for precise beam manipulation and alignment in industrial and scientific applications. Its expertise covers polarization optics, laser crystals, and nonlinear crystals. The company provides solutions for the semiconductor, defense, and medical industries. Its technological capabilities include precise optomechanical assembly, various coating types (reflective, anti-reflective, polarizing), and custom design.
UNI Optics Co., Ltd, established in 2008 and located in Fuzhou, China, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in optical components and assemblies. The company’s product portfolio includes custom-made optical components such as lenses, prisms, windows, and filters, along with various coating designs. These products find applications in automation, metrology, life sciences, lasers, semiconductor, military, and medical equipment. UNI Optics employs an ISO9001:2015 quality management system and serves clients globally including North America, the Middle East and Africa, South America and Asia.
ORAFOL Fresnel Optics GmbH is based in Apolda, Thuringia, Germany, and is a manufacturer of nano and micro polymer-fabricated optical components that was established in 1989 as a subsidiary of ORAFOL Europe GmbH. The company primarily produces optical goods such as Fresnel cylindrical lenses, Fresnel beam splitters, and corner cube retro-reflectors. It also offers custom design, engineering, and fabrication services for unique customer projects. The company chiefly serves its customers in Europe’s display, lighting, and solar industries.
Hangzhou Shalom Electro-optics Technology Co. Ltd. is a manufacturer of industrial electro-optical products founded in 2010 and based in Zhejiang, China. The company produces various optics, substrates and crystals for use in the industrial sector. Its products include scintillation crystals for nuclear detection, infrared (IR) lenses for thermal imaging cameras, and crystals used in laser systems. The company's products are mainly used by clients in the laser and photonics, nuclear, and biological imaging sectors. It also offers engineering support for customers with unique projects.
Sugitoh Co Ltd, established in 1906, and based in Fujisawa, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of optical instruments. The product portfolio includes a diverse range of optical components like optical lens, prisms, special lens, C-mount metal component, beam splitter and other optical instruments. The company also offers optical parts for CCTV and lens, microscope, loupe, image equipment, test equipment, and glass process. The products are used mainly in the medical industry.
Ecoptic, founded in Changchun, Jilin in 2000 is a manufacturer of precision optical components, such as spherical mirrors, aspheric mirrors, and filters. The company's product portfolio includes Optical Cylindrical Lenses, Optical Dome, Optical Mirrors, Optical Prism, and Optical Spherical Lenses. The company serves markets including Medical and Healthcare, Aerospace and Defense, Consumer Goods, Industrial Manufacturing and Construction and Building. The company provides services such as Product Selection Guidance, Engineering Support, New Product Design and Development and Custom Manufacturing.
U-Optics, a certified ISO 9001:2015 company. established in 2004 and is headquartered in Wuhan, China, is a manufacturer, and researcher of optical components and systems. Its product range includes photonic components, modules, and systems among many others. The company heads the development of cutting-edge photonic technologies, and its products are used in a wide range of applications, including telecommunications, medical imaging, and industrial automation. U-Optics has over 200 employees and operates in more than 20 countries across the globe. The company is devoted to serving customers from small quantity prototypes to mass production of precision optical components.
SUMITA New Glass & Fiber Optics, established in 1953, is a manufacturer and supplier headquartered in Saitama, Japan, specializing in the production and distribution of light and optical glass products. The company's range of products includes optical glass materials, aspherical/specialty lenses, optical devices, small lens units, and fiber optic components. These products find applications in industrial equipment, automobiles, medical devices, energy, and measurement devices. They hold certifications such as ISO9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016, and ISO14001:2015.
United Photonics Technology Co. Ltd. is a manufacturer of optical components founded in 1997 and based in Fuzhou, China. The company primarily produces optical components such as polarization optics, lenses, and waveplates. It also offers crystal components such as yttrium orthovanadate (YVO4) and BBO/LBO nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals, and coating services by customer specification. The company operates internationally, with distribution operations across Asia Pacific and Europe. It mainly serves clients in the laser, semiconductor, and automation industries.
Rainbow Research Optics LLC is a custom manufacturer of optics and optical coatings that was established in 1995 in Centennial, Colorado, USA. The company primarily produces lenses, prisms, and beam splitters according to customer specifications. It also offers custom design and testing, coating, and consultation services. The company is ISO 9001:2015 and ITAR certified, and mainly serves clients in the defense, aerospace, and biomedical industries. Some of its notable clients include Northrop Grumman, Boston Scientific, and Raytheon.
CeNing Optics Co. Ltd. is an ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturer of precision optical components that was established in 2004 in Fuzhou, Fujian, China. The company’s product lineup includes optical prisms such as penta prisms and right angle prisms, and optical lenses such as doublets and achromatic lenses. It also offers optical beam splitters, optical wave plates, and optical polarizers for ensuring lasers emit linearly polarized light without reflections. The company’s products are mainly used by clients whose operations heavily utilize optical communication, optical metrology, and optical imaging.
HG Optronics.,INC., established in 2008, is a chinese-based manufacturer of laser crystals,nonlinear crystals and optical components used in industrial and scientific research.. The company offers various optics including optical lens, prisms, windows, mirrors, and filters as well as polarization optics, waveplates, and cylindrical lens. It also offers various crystals including laser, window, NLO, diffusion bonded,and magneto-optical crystals. The company is also a service provider offering processing services involving cutting, grinding, polishing, coating, and diffusion bonding as well as coating service using EB, IBS and IAD coating techniques.
Changchun Sunday Optics Co. Ltd. is an ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturer and supplier of optical components that was established in Changchun, Jilin, China, in 2010. The company offers aspheric lenses for improving image quality or reducing aberration, and spherical lenses for standard imaging applications as well as focusing or collimating. It also offers prisms for refraction or reflection, various coatings for enhancing the optical properties of surfaces, and filters for blocking selected wavelengths of light. The company’s products are primarily used by clients in the laser, photonics, and optical imaging industries.
Crystech Inc. is a developer and manufacturer of optics and crystals for the electro-optic industry that was established in Qingdao, China, in 2001. The company produces nonlinear optical crystals such as BBO and KTA, laser crystals such as Nd:YVO4 and CTH:YAG, and Q-switch crystals including DKDP and RTP. It also offers the tunable solid-state laser crystal Alexandrite, which is commonly used in scientific and industrial applications. The company’s products are mainly used in the medical and industrial sectors, as well as in research institutions.
Foctek Photonics, Inc., founded in 2002 and headquartered in Fujian, China, is a manufacturer of optical components and related products. The company develops and produces precision optical components, precision optical lenses, and special custom optical lenses. Its precision optical lenses include 3MP and 5MP HD zoom security surveillance lens, 20MP machine vision lens, and ADAS lens. These products are used in precision instruments, medical, and automation equipment. The company holds ISO/TS16949 and ISO14001 certifications covering quality and environmental management.
Qinhuangdao Intrinsic Crystal Technology Co. Ltd. is a manufacturer of infrared (IR) crystal materials that was established in 2008 in Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, China. The company primarily produces IR crystal materials such as zinc selenide, germanium, and silicon, which are used for making optics and sensors. It also offers optical lenses, coatings, and custom crystal production services for unique projects. The company’s products are commonly used in the manufacture of optical instruments and infrared imaging equipment, as well as in photoelectric applications.
Shanghai Optics, established in China, is a custom manufacturer of optical components and a custom designer and engineering provider of optical components, lenses, and assemblies. The company produces its own range of products that include stock microscope objectives, fixed focal length lenses, stock IR lenses, and megapixel lenses used in applications such as scientific and laboratory equipment, smartphones, cameras, and other requirements from OEM customers around the world. The company's services include full production at high and lower volumes, prototyping, free quotes, and custom product design consultations.
Artifex Engineering GmbH & Co. KG, a company established in 2001 and based in Emden, Niedersachsen, is a manufacturer and supplier of measuring instruments and optical components. Its specialization is manufacturing measuring instruments such as optical power meters, trans-impedance amplifiers, integrating spheres, and pulsed laser diode drivers. It also manufactures optical components, including beamsplitters, optical filters and lenses, polarization optics, laser lighthouses, and composite optics. The company has obtained ISO 9001:2015 certification. Its manufactured products are utilized for industrial and metrological industries across Germany and the UK.
Daheng New Epoch Technology, Inc. is a Chinese manufacturer and supplier of optical components and systems that was established in Beijing in 1987 as a subsidiary of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The company produces optical modules such as fiber collimators, optical components such as beam splitters, and optical systems such as laser marking systems. It also offers optical subsystems such as optical coherence tomography systems, as well as design and engineering services for unique projects. The company’s products are commonly used in the biomedical, scientific research, and defense sectors.
EKSMA Optics, UAB, established in 1983 and based in Vilnius, Lithuania, is a manufacturer and supplier of precision optical components, optical systems, and similar products. The company fabricates optical components, nonlinear and laser crystals, and electro-optics and laser electronics. It also produces laser line components, opto-mechanical components, and optical systems. It uses electron evaporation, ion assistance deposition, thermal evaporation, and advanced ion beam sputtered technologies for the deposition of coatings on optical and crystal elements.
Sinoptix, a manufacturer and supplier of precision optical components and solutions, was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in France. In 2010, it merged with the Belgian company AGC Business Consulting, operating from Shanghai, China. The company's product offerings include lenses, prisms, mirrors, and filters. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including telecommunications, laser systems, imaging, and scientific research. Its partnership with AGC Business Consulting enhanced the company's capabilities, enablingit to handle complex projects and achieve integration benefits for both organizations.
Castech Inc. is a manufacturer and supplier of optics and laser components for photonics applications that was established in 1990 in Fuzhou, Fujian, China. The company’s product lineup includes precision optical components for the display and semiconductor industries, such as aspherical lenses, beam splitters, and diffraction gratings. It also offers laser components for laser systems, such as photoelastic modulators and acousto-optic devices. The company is ISO 9001, IAFT 16949, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001-certified, and chiefly serves the semiconductor and telecom industries.
DG Optoelectronics Co. Ltd., established in 2012 and headquartered in Jiangsu, China, is a manufacturer and supplier of optics, imaging, and photonics technology. The company specializes in optical components, lenses, and optomechanical equipment, serving original equipment manufacturers (OEM) with stock and custom solutions. Its products include optical glass materials, spherical and aspheric lenses, and optical coatings like antireflective film and spectroscopic film. These products are used in optical imaging, machine vision, and medical devices industries. The company also offers optical components utilizing substrates and coatings optimized for ultraviolet, visible, or infrared wavelengths.
Knight Optical is a company that manufactures optical components based in the UK. The company offers services such as design, consultancy, custom packaging, testing, quality assurance, and others. They serve a wide number of industries including scientific, defense, medical, pharmaceutical, laser engineering and manufacturing. They also provide a wide range of coating capabilities for optical components throughout the ultraviolet (UV), visible and infrared (IR) spectra.They are ISO9001:2015 and ISO14001:2015 accredited and are providing quality products and services.
Ranking as of April 2025
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ORAFOL Fresnel Optics GmbH |
18.6%
|
| 2 | DG optoelectronics Co., Ltd. |
8.6%
|
| 3 | JML Optical Industries |
8.6%
|
| 4 | Sterling Precision Optics, Inc. |
8.6%
|
| 5 | United Photonics Technology Co.,Ltd. |
5.7%
|
| 6 | Sinoptix |
5.7%
|
| 7 | SUMITA |
5.7%
|
| 8 | Ross Optical |
4.3%
|
| 9 | Rocky Mountain Instrument Co. |
4.3%
|
| 10 | Tower Optical Corporation |
4.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the cylindrical lens page as of April 2025. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
8 | 38.1% |
|
China
|
5 | 23.8% |
|
Japan
|
3 | 14.3% |
|
Lithuania
|
2 | 9.5% |
|
Germany
|
2 | 9.5% |
|
Belgium
|
1 | 4.8% |
48 products found
48 products
Taisho Kogaku
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A combination of spheres and plane can be made and complex shapes by joining. Various optical thin films can be applied.
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A -Kay Corporation Co., Ltd.
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Create lenses, mirrors, prism, and filters that can be mounted on optical products. Rod shapes, sirindrical shapes (, toroidal shapes) are also pos...
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Lotus Techno Co., Ltd.
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Go Photon Co., Ltd.
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■Features SELFOC® Microlenses are ideal parts for various optical components. Examples of usage include: ・Coupling of laser diode and optical fibe...
A -Kay Corporation Co., Ltd.
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■ Characteristics ・ It supports not only molding, but also a small amount of cutting as an aspherical surface lens, grinding non -sphere lens, etc...
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■What is a cylindrical lens? As the name suggests, it is a cylindrical lens. While a spherical lens is a part of a sphere, a cylindrical lens is a ...
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Nalux Co., Ltd.
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■High-precision glass optical components Resin lenses and optical components are now used in a variety of fields, taking advantage of their flexibi...
Nalux Co., Ltd.
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Nalux's cylindrical lenses have a history of more than 10 years as collimating lenses (FAC and SAC) for high-power laser diodes. In applications wh...
Nalux Co., Ltd.
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The aspherical cylindrical lens stretches the beam in only one direction, emitting a line of light. Illuminance distribution is controlled by optim...
Optoscience Co., Ltd.
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[aµs] manufactures microlens arrays with any pitch and any radius of curvature in the range of 10 µm to 4000 µm. Microlens arrays can be supplied a...
Optoscience Co., Ltd.
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[aµs] manufactures microlens arrays with any pitch and any radius of curvature in the range of 10 µm to 4000 µm. Microlens arrays can be supplied a...
Kita Nippon Electric Wire Co., Ltd.
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A FAC lens array with high -precision rod lenses in front of the optical fiber ray in order to efficiently combine the light emitted from the laser...
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Glass cylindrical lenses are also used in LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), which is used as a spatial sensor for highly automated driving syste...
Star Micro Co., Ltd.
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Last viewed: 4 hours ago
Features ■Can measure eccentricity and parallel deviation inclination of cylindrical lenses. You can measure the difference in distance (eccentrici...
2 models listed
GELINDE Optical Co., Ltd.
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Last viewed: 1 hour ago
We manufacture rod lenses with diameters from 0.80mm to 25mm. ■Features ・100% microscopic inspection performed before delivery. ・100% clean room...
Go Photon Co., Ltd.
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■Selfoc® lenses in the biomedical field SELFOC® Imaging Lens is a gradient index lens that is ideal for the objective lens of endoscopes using fibe...
Profitet Co., Ltd.
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Sapphire is a material that has higher thermal conductivity and a higher refractive index than synthetic quartz. Thermal lens effect is caused by t...
Go Photon Co., Ltd.
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■Selfoc® lenses in the biomedical field SELFOC® Imaging Lens is a gradient index lens that is ideal for the objective lens of endoscopes using fibe...
Tsukumo Engineering Co., Ltd.
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■Summary ・The cylindrical lens holder can fix square elements such as cylindrical lenses. - To attach or remove the element, release the left and ...
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Nalux Co., Ltd.
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Fast Axis Collimator Lenses (FAC) are small aspherical cylindrical lenses with high NA that are ideal for fast axis collimation of laser diodes wit...
Nalux Co., Ltd.
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FAC is an optical element with a short focal length and large NA, so assembly accuracy requires high alignment accuracy at the submicron level. How...
