Plane Ruled Diffraction Gratings are most efficient when used near the design wavelength in the Littrow configuration, which is aligned so that the diffraction angle of the dominant diffraction order is coincident with the input beam, effectively behaving as a retroreflector at a specific wavelength. For blazed gratings, maximum efficiency occurs for wavelengths that the Littrow condition at the angle normal to the blazed grating facets. As ruled blazed gratings are asymmetric, correct orientation is indicated with an arrow marking on the size of the substrate. The arrow is on the side of the substrate perpendicular to the ruled grooves, and points toward the steeper edge of the triangular groove profile. Equivalently, the arrow points away from the grating normal toward the facet normal. The arrow should point toward the incident (and diffracted) beam.

The basic grating equation determines the discrete directions into which monochromatic light of wavelength λ is diffracted. The equation is shown below:

mλ = d_G (sinα + sinβ_m)

The above figure illustrates this diffraction. Light of wavelength λ is incident at an angle α and diffracted by the grating (with a groove spacing d_G) along a set of angles β_m. These angles are measured from the grating normal, which is shown as the dashed line perpendicular to the grating surface at its center. If β_m is on the opposite side of the grating normal from α, its sign is opposite. In the equation, m is the order of diffraction, which is an integer. For the zeroth order (m = 0), α and β₀ are equal and opposite, resulting in the light simply being reflected, i.e., no diffraction. The sign convention for m requires that it is positive if the diffracted ray lies to the left (counter-clockwise side) of the zeroth order and negative if it lies to the right (the clockwise side). When a beam of monochromatic light is incident on a grating, the light is simply diffracted from the grating in directions corresponding to m = -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, etc. When a beam of polychromatic light is incident on a grating, then the light is dispersed so that each wavelength satisfies the grating equation as shown in the figure. Usually only the first order, positive or negative, is desired and so higher order wavelengths may need to be blocked. In many monochromators and spectrographs, a constant-deviation mount is used where the wavelength is changed by rotating the grating around an axis while the angle between the incident and diffracted light (or deviation angle) remains unchanged.

Pairs of identical diffraction gratings that are tuned to the polarization and output wavelengths of a laser may be used to temporally compress ultrafast laser pulses, greatly increasing the peak power. When a spectrally broad laser pulse is incident on a diffraction grating, the various wavelength components will disperse, or diffract in different directions. If this pulse has its wavelength chirped (i.e. its frequency progressively increases during the length of the pulse) the first grating will diffract the leading portion of the pulse (consisting of longer wavelengths) at a greater angle compared to the trailing portion of the pulse (consisting of shorter wavelengths). When the light reaches the second grating with same periodicity the dispersion will be reversed from symmetry and the light will be collimated. Light from the leading edge of the pulse will travel a longer optical path through the pair of gratings, requiring more travel time. If the separation between the gratings is chosen so that the travel time difference matches the pulse duration, the laser power will be compressed into a nearly instantaneous pulse.

By incorporating interferometric monitoring into the process of fabricating ruled grating masters, Newport is able to minimize irregularities in grating period and position. This greatly reduces the effect of ghosts, or secondary spectra, or energy into undesired wavelength-angle combinations due to irregularities in surface periodicity. Ghosts that are close to and symmetric about the parent diffracted line are called Rowland ghosts, due to low spatial frequency content (or periodicities much larger than the groove spacing). Lyman ghosts are farther from the parent line and are caused by unwanted periodicities on the order of the groove spacing. Both Rowland and Lyman ghosts follow the grating equation, although Rowland ghosts are typically more problematic for spectroscopy applications. Newport's process is designed specifically to minimize the effects of Rowland ghosting.

As Newport's Plane Ruled Reflection Gratings feature a delicate, precisely patterned reflective surface, the surface cannot be touched with without damaging the fringe pattern and potentially seriously degrading the optical performance. Damage to the grating can take the form of contamination or distortion of the microscopic groove profile. Damage to this microscopic groove profile is, unfortunately, irreversible. The resin layer like modeling clay, will retain a permanent imprint. Contamination with finger oils, moisture, etc. is also often permanent. Because of the sensitive nature of the grating groove profile, it is imperative that the user take precautions in handling gratings. Do not touch the surface of the grating; handle the grating by the edges and always wear gloves or finger cots. Use a non-contact cleaning method such as dry, compressed air or a dust bulb to remove excess dust from a grating.

Float glass is made by floating molten glass over a bed of molten metal. While this is a low cost material that is used in commercial windows, the production method yields a very flat surface of uniform thickness making it a good choice for optics.

Newport is pleased to discuss special and unusual applications that are not addressed by our build to order catalog diffraction gratings.  In some instances, none of the hundreds of master gratings we have in stock meet specifications, so a new master may be required. Please see Custom Diffraction Gratings for additional information on our capabilities.