About us

Ascension Optics partners with customers to deliver world-class optical design, opto-mechanical design, and systems engineering from early architecture trade studies, through design synthesis, advanced analysis, tolerancing, complete drawings packages, prototype support, and transfer to manufacturing.

With 15+ years of experience in optical design, precision manufacturing, and product development, we help teams solve demanding optical challenges with speed and accuracy.

Based in the Greater Boston area one of the world’s leading hubs for engineering, photonics, and advanced manufacturing –  we work closely with customers and coordinate with suppliers across the U.S. and internationally, providing the support needed to keep programs on track from prototype through production.

Whether you need an extension to your existing engineering team or end-to-end support, Ascension Optics delivers engineered solutions that bring your next project to the finish line – from design through prototype and into production.

Anthony Visconti, PhD

Founder & CEO

Optics
Engineered

In-depth optical and opto-mechanical design, utilizing design for manufacture principles, to carry your project from concept to production

Engineered to
Deliver

Designs validated through rigorous modeling and statistics-driven Monte Carlo analysis – performance is predictable when your project is  transferred to manufacturing

Expertise You Can Trust

15+ years of hands-on optical design and engineering experience, partnering closely with customers and suppliers to deliver manufacturing-ready solutions

Services and Capabilities

Ascension Optics provides world-class optical engineering services across a wide range of industries and applications. From architecture trade studies through tolerancing and manufacturing transfer, we deliver vendor-ready outputs that reduce risk and accelerate development.

Optical Design

Specification review and requirements translation

System architecture definition and optical trade studies

Imaging and illumination system design

Full spectrum design expertise:
ultra-violet, visible, infrared

Zemax and CODE V optical design software

Prototype and Production

Utilize domestic and global supply chain for robustness and risk-reduction

Vendor engagement: sourcing, feedback, and build planning

Prototype build support: assembly, alignment, and metrology

Tolerance-driven yield planning and acceptance criteria definition

Transfer to manufacturing documentation: drawings and process workflow for predictable production readiness

Life Sciences, Medical Device, & Healthcare

  • DNA sequencing
  • Surgical and endoscopic imaging
  • Point-of-care diagnostics

Automation, Robotics, & Transportation

  • Surveillance imaging
  • Automotive LiDAR
  • Machine vision and 3D sensing

Research &
Laboratory

  • Microscopy and scientific imaging
  • Water/oil/solid immersion lenses
  • Custom test benches

Defense &
Aerospace

  • Tactical head-mounted imaging
  • MWIR and LWIR imaging
  • Airborne imaging payloads

Consumer
Electronics

  • High-performance camera optics
  • Compact imaging and sensing
  • Polymer and hybrid optics

Semiconductor & Metrology

  • Overlay metrology
  • Catadioptric optics
  • Micromachining scan lenses