Lambda Physics Logo

Lambda Physics

Optical Coatings • PVD Technology • Electron Beam Evaporation

Precision optical components for research, laser optics and educational experiments

Optical Coating Machine
Back to general stock Single Risley prism - beam deviation calculator Pair of Risley prisms - beam deviation calculator

25 mm Schott Glass Risley Prism Pair / Optical Wedge Pair for Adjustable Laser Beam Steering

A compact pair of research-grade optical wedge prisms for variable beam deflection, laser alignment, interferometry and educational demonstrations of Risley-prism beam steering.

EUR 37.00 (+ shipping)

Indicative shipping

European UnionEUR 12
Non-EU EuropeEUR 18
North AmericaUSD 60
Rest of the worldEmail me
How to order: Please email your shipping country, postal code and desired quantity. Availability and final shipping cost will be confirmed before payment. Payment can be made via PayPal or bank transfer (Revolut and Wise accounts available).
Adjustable beam deflection: by rotating the two wedge prisms relative to each other, the output beam direction can be adjusted from near-zero deviation up to the maximum combined deviation. For custom quantities, matched pairs or clarification, please contact us via email.
25 mm Schott Glass Risley prism / optical wedge Risley prism beam steering animation Risley prism pattern scan

Product Description

This is a pair of 25 mm Schott optical glass wedge prisms, suitable for use as a Risley prism pair. When the two prisms are rotated with respect to each other, they act as a simple and robust variable beam deflector. These are research-grade laser optics designed for precise manipulation.

The main advantage of a Risley arrangement is that it can steer a laser beam without translating the optical components. Depending on the relative angular position of the two wedges, the beam deviation can be continuously varied from a nearly compensated position to the maximum combined deflection.

  • Research-grade components for laser beam steering and interferometry
  • Useful for precision optical alignment and experiments
  • Suitable for optics benches, lab demonstrations and educational kits
  • Compact passive optical component; no electronics required
  • Can also be used as individual 25 mm optical wedge prisms

Technical Specifications

Product typeRisley prism pair / optical wedge pair
MaterialSchott Optical Glass
Diameter25 mm
Wedge angle (Apex)~ 3.5°
Beam deviation angle~ 1.8° per prism
Beam Deviation Calculator for a single Risley Prism Beam Deviation Calculator for a pair of Risley Prism
Surface qualityOptical grade
CoatingAnti-Reflective (AR) coating for visible range [400–700 nm]
ConditionNew from Old stock (technological surplus)

How a Risley Prism Pair Works

A single wedge prism deflects a transmitted beam by a small angle. With two wedge prisms in series, the total deviation depends on their relative rotation:

  • Opposite orientation: the deviations largely compensate each other.
  • Intermediate orientation: the beam is deflected by an adjustable amount and direction.
  • Same orientation: the deviations add, giving the maximum beam steering angle.
Beam Deviation Calculator for a single Risley Prism
Beam Deviation Calculator for a pair of Risley Prism
The deviation values are approximate and depend on wavelength, exact wedge angle and refractive index. These prisms are intended as optical components for experiments and setups, not as a calibrated scanning instrument.

Typical Applications

  • Variable laser beam steering
  • Laser alignment and beam-position correction
  • Interferometry
  • Optical bench experiments
  • Educational demonstration of refraction and vector beam deviation
  • DIY optical scanner concepts
  • Testing, prototyping and laboratory setups

The components are especially useful when a simple, compact and purely optical method is needed to change the direction of a narrow beam.