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 is a deep-tech founder and optics manufacturing executive with more than three decades of experience building and scaling advanced optical systems for high-energy laser, aerospace, and space-based applications. He is the Founder and CEO of Aperture Optical Sciences, a specialty manufacturer pioneering scalable silicon carbide optics for demanding commercial and government markets.
Trained in optics at the University of Rochester and manufacturing engineering at Boston University, Mr. Tinker advanced through technical and operational leadership roles at Zygo Corporation, where he led programs supporting semiconductor lithography, space systems, and large-aperture laser facilities, including the National Ignition Facility.
Under his leadership, AOS has delivered 20,000+ silicon carbide mirrors, developed two dozen satellite telescopes currently on orbit, and generated nearly $60M in cumulative revenue, with deployments in 14+ countries.
Contact Fleming
Dan Dunn
Dan received his B.S. in Engineering Physics from the University of Nebraska and his M.S. in Physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
He began his career with Perkin-Elmer in Wilton, Connecticut, where he supported the production of precision optics for the semiconductor industry. After approximately three years, he transferred to the company’s Danbury facility and joined the metrology department. During the fabrication of mirrors for NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, Dan became deeply involved in optical fabrication—an area that has defined his career ever since.
He later led the ALOS PRISM program for Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), serving as program lead for this high-profile international space mission. Dan subsequently spent four years with Zygo Corporation, where he served as Program Manager overseeing semiconductor optics programs for both domestic and international customers.
In 2004, Dan returned to United Technologies (now part of RTX Corporation) in Danbury, contributing technically to the fabrication of advanced optical systems supporting national defense applications.
Dan joined Aperture Optical Sciences (AOS) in 2019 as Vice President and Technical Director. In this role, he leads the company’s technical development strategy, guiding innovation, manufacturing excellence, and long-term technology roadmap initiatives across space and fusion energy optical systems.
Contact Dan
Celebrating 15 Years
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.