SEAL Lab
The team is spearheading the development of manufacturing capabilities for metallic optics for astronomical and space instruments, with the first and most complex 5-axis ultra-precision single-point diamond-turning facilities in Southeast Asia. Partnering with world-class research institutes in the UK and the US, we transfer and localize technologies in machining and manufacturing freeform optics for astronomical uses and space missions. We aim to be the regional leader in ultra-precision (nanometer-scale) metallic reflective optics for both astronomical instrumentation and industrial solutions.
What we work on
Nanometer-scale reflective optics for both astronomical instrumentation and industrial solutions.
Capabilities
Numbers the lab commits to, measured on its own metrology bench.
| CAPABILITY | VALUE | APPLIES TO | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface roughness (diamond turning) | Ra < 5 nm | 5-axis SPDT machine | From the EAMA11 poster |
| Form accuracy (diamond turning) | PV < λ/6 | 5-axis SPDT machine | From the PI's CV (Sep 2026) |
| Ultra-precision machining | 5-axis single-point diamond-turning machine in a temperature-controlled enclosure | Machine | |
| Surface metrology | 3D surface profilers; ultra-precision CMM | Metrology bench | Surface-quality tester added in FY69 |
| Environmental testing | Cryo-cycling chamber; vacuum oven | Process | |
| Production line | Design → CNC → polishing → SPDT → metrology (TRL 6) | Process |
Freeform L, 5-axis SPDT
Ø ≤ 650 mm, form < 0.125 µm PV, micro-milling and grinding.
DynaFiz interferometry + ZeGage profilometry
Form and roughness verification down to 0.15 nm Sq.
High-vacuum coating
Reflective coatings verified by spectrophotometry over 400–700 nm.
SPDT Engineering, Assembly, and Laser Metrology Laboratory
Thailand's first ultra-precision reflective-surface laboratory: 5-axis single-point diamond turning, surface metrology, and a complete design-to-metrology production line for metallic and freeform optics.
DARTS alignment and slit-viewing mirrors
Diamond-turned slit-viewing mirrors and slit masks for DARTS, the robotic transient spectrograph NARIT is building for Lick Observatory.
Additively manufactured mirrors for space missions with UK ATC
Can we 3D-print a mirror? Diamond turning and testing of additively manufactured aluminum mirror substrates for space missions, with the UK Astronomy Technology Centre.
Mirrors for the TSC 6U CubeSat telescope
Primary and secondary mirrors, machined in-house by diamond turning, for the Thai Space Consortium's 3U and 6U CubeSat space telescopes.
Freeform Zerodur mirrors for ELT/HARMONI
Proposed upgrade of the diamond-turning line to 700 mm and to low-expansion glass (Zerodur, ULE, fused silica), with Oxford's HARMONI team and ESO, aimed at ELT-class freeform optics.
Tertiary mirror for a radio telescope
Tertiary mirror for a radio telescope.
People
