About Our Company
Aperture Optical Sciences
We design, develop and manufacture optics for satellite imaging and communications, aspheric mirrors for high energy lasers, and specialize in the use of Silicon Carbide materials for extreme performance applications.
AOS optics are deployed around the world in aerospace imaging systems, industrial scanners, research facilities using advanced lasers, and remote sensing applications.
Leadership
Our Executive Team Directing The Future of AOS
Flemming Tinker
Flemming Tinker has been working in the field of optics engineering and manufacturing for over 30 years and holds degrees in Optics from the University of Rochester, and Manufacturing Engineering from Boston University. Mr. Tinker is a specialist in optics manufacturing & management involving innovative technologies.
Before founding Aperture Optical Sciences, Inc., Mr. Tinker worked as Senior Engineer, Director of Manufacturing, and Director of the Optics Business Unit for Zygo Corporation and Operated an Engineering and Consulting Firm serving clients in the Optics Industry.
Mr. Tinker has lead development efforts in high laser damage resistant thin film coating and optics manufacturing, lightweight space based telescope optics for satellite communications, optics for aerospace recon, and developed automated techniques for meter scale laser optics production. Mr. Tinker was one of the key developers of the technology for producing nearly 7,000 meter size laser optics for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility (NIF). Mr. Tinker holds patents in interferometry and optical components for lithography.
After founding AOS in 2010, Mr. Tinker has assembled a talented team of professionals and dedicated employees to build AOS into an innovation engine for 21st century optics manufacturing.
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Chip Ragan
Chip Ragan has extensive experience in program management, product marketing and sales of metrology products serving research, aerospace, semi and data storage markets. He has led commercialization of a diverse range of products including atomic force microscopes, optical and stylus profilers, laser interferometers, optical inspection, and electrical characterization. Mr. Ragan has over 10 years of experience with metrology for optics and optical systems including products for the James Webb Space Telescope and the National Ignition Facility.
As Vice-President of Space Programs, Mr. Ragan is responsible for coordinating all satellite telescope development and production operations. Mr. Ragan holds a BS in electrical engineering from University of Missouri-Rolla. Prior to working at AOS, Mr. Ragan held positions with Zygo Corp., 4D Technology, Veeco Instruments and Wyko Corp.
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Dan Dunn
Dan received his BS in Engineering Physics from the University of Nebraska and his master’s degree in Physics from Georgia Tech. Dan started his career with Perkin-Elmer in Wilton, Connecticut, where the primary product was precision optics for the semiconductor industry. After about three years he was transferred to their Danbury facility where he worked in the metrology department. During the production of mirrors for NASA’s Chandra X-Ray telescope he got involved with optical fabrication, a field he has stayed in ever since. He was tasked with leading the ALOS PRISM program for whom JAXA, Japan’s national space agency, was the customer.
Dan spent four years with Zygo Corporation where his program manager duties included work with semiconductor optics for international and domestic customers. Dan returned to United Technologies / Raytheon in Danbury in 2004 where he served as a technical contributor in the fabrication of optics related to national defense. Dan joined AOS in 2019 as Vice President and Technical Director and is responsible for guiding AOS’ technical development and roadmap.
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Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence
Innovation at AOS is a collaborative process integrating applications, methods, and technology
Our customers are researchers, product developers & technologists. We add value by providing rare expertise in robotic optical fabrication, design for manufacturability and assembly, and verifying product performance using optical metrology.
We are an independent US-owned corporation located in Central Connecticut with partners in Europe and Asia. The name comes from the term “Aperture”, an opening enabling the passage of light, and symbolizes what we provide our customers and employees–a pathway for new ideas and creative solutions using light.
AOS products can be found in:
- Low Earth Orbit Satellites
- Petawatt lasers
- Particle Accelerators
- Automotive LIDAR
- Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment
Customer Support
At AOS, we want to be not only expert technologists, but the type of company you enjoy doing business with.
We take Customer Care seriously, because it is the underlying foundation of our client relationships. We want your experience with AOS to be pleasant and efficient. We want you to have confidence that we will provide you with the highest quality products and services. We believe in open, accessible communication with our customers to provide a unique collaborative relationship.
Support Services
To achieve our Customer Care goals, we strive to provide:
- Accessible, secure online storage of project & quality data
- Friendly support and service
- Project Schedules
- Online video meeting access
- Comprehensive logistics support for visits to AOS with discounted hotel rate
Our Core Values
We strive to conduct ourselves with Honesty, Passion, Courage, Enthusiasm, and Pride. Our core values describe why we are here and define the impact we wish to have on those around us and the legacy we leave behind.
Impact
We work to have a positive impact on our future and to improve the quality of life for those around us.
Creativity
We create to express our potential, explore ideas, to find what is hidden and undeveloped.
Responsibility
We responsibly use the time and resources we are given – to make the most of what we have and to develop our resources to their fullest potential.
Service
We serve our customers in partnership– to share in their ambitions and to enable their fullest success.
Respect
We regard each other with respect and humility to enable others to be successful as they in turn do the same for us.
Inclusion
We believe diversity and inclusion empowers us and provides essential ingredients for creative solutions and innovation. We believe in creating an environment where everyone, from any background, can thrive and can find equal access to opportunities that allow them to grow and advance.
Optimism
We value our differences and find ways to positively challenge and encourage each other to expand our horizons and potential.
Culture
Our combined efforts will result in a great place to work where people are valued and inspired to become the best they can be, where innovation and productivity thrive, and quality is built into our work at all levels.
