The company profile of APQ JENA

The starting point

In 1995, the development and manufacture of the Astronomical Amateur Telescopes and in 2007, also that of the Astronomical Professional Equipment in Jena was discontinued. This ended an astronomical tradition of more than 100 years.

I worked for Carl Zeiss Jena for more than 13 years, from 1990 to 1994 as Product and Sales Manager for Astronomical Amateur Devices. Here, I initiated the further development and production of probably the best fluorite triplet apochromats at that time and pushed their market introduction.

Since 2011 I have been more intensively concerned with the astronomical topic, which is what joint projects with Carl Zeiss have prompted me to do. For most astronomical amateurs worldwide, the fluorite triplet apochromats formerly manufactured by Carl Zeiss Jena still have a reference character in terms of optical imaging quality and quality of the structural and mechanical design, even by today's standards.

The project start

First of all, the question had to be clarified: Can such apochromats still made in Germany nowadays? Next, suppliers had to be found, from whom I could obtain the CaF₂ needed for the production of the fluorite triplet apochromats with the required properties, in the appropriate quality and at acceptable prices.

That was the most important question, the basic question so to speak, of which all other decisions derived from their positive answer. A negative result would have meant the premature knock-out for the planned project. Just as important as ensuring the supply of fluorite is the secure purchase of the selected mating optical glasses.

After the previous questions could be answered positively, I now needed appropriate technical support. In addition to the goal of rebuilding the astronomical tradition in Jena at the location of precision optical instrument manufacturing, it is the fact that there is a lot of up-and-coming potential from the universities of the city and region, such as the Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena, the Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena and the Technical University of Ilmenau.

It is particularly important to me to involve interested former employees of the Astronomical department of Carl Zeiss Jena and the adjacent areas in the start-up project. This achieves two things:

The business formation profits from the rich experience, the skills and the knowledge of the former top performer.

In addition, it will help to ensure that their specific knowledge and experience is passed on to the younger generation and is therefore not lost.

I would like to highlight Uwe Laux and Frank Dionies of the colleagues whom I was able to inspire, without which neither the new optical design nor the new compensation cell would have existed.

When this preliminary work was done, i.e. suppliers of CaF₂ and optical glasses had been acquired and co-workers had been won over, I was able to start working on the next tasks. The most important of these was, what optical design should the new lenses get?

The answer seemed to be obvious, of course, these lenses should again be triplet apochromats with a CaF₂ lens as a middle element, protected by the two outer glass lenses! After all, well-known astronomical companies have such triplet apochromats of this type – with FK glasses or fluorite as a center lens – in their range.

So I went on this track and obtained offers from various optics companies for the production of such astronomical lenses with different apertures – and have not only lost a lot of time.

The majority of telescope companies produce good triplet apochromats, some in very good quality. But the more I worked on this topic, the more I realized that the apochromatic triplet design can no longer be improved.

But all fluorophosphate and CaF₂ triplet apochromats have a spectral range related color longitudinal and Gaussian error (chromatic variation of the aperture error), which disturbs the polychromatic point spread function (PSF) at larger apertures and faster focal ratios.

As a result, the triplet apochromats satisfy the apochromatic condition only in a narrowly limited visual spectrum (usually 436nm – 656nm or 480nm – 707nm). However, they are not able to image diffraction-limited in the e.g. spectral range from 365nm to 1014nm important for CCD and CMOS astronomy.

I have therefore come to the conclusion that I do not want to become the umpteenth manufacturer of triplet apochromats in order to compete senselessly with established telescope companies. On the other hand, my goal in the end is that production should take place in Germany.

What makes the Fluorite Quadruplet Polychromats so special?

The unique advantage for our future customers and users is to be able to use an optical design that guarantees the most error-free imaging possible in the wide UBVRI spectral range (365nm – 1014nm) of modern electronic sensors (CCD, CMOS).

In the peripheral regions of the visual spectrum there is no decrease of the Strehl ratio near or below the diffraction limit as is the case with most apochromats.

The polychromatic image quality is not artificially changed or "nicely calculated", as this would not improve the optical correction. Instead, the optical system is optimized in the spectral range from 365nm to 1014nm by means of a wavelength table and the respective weighting factors of 1. The result of the optimizations is a four lens polychromatic basic system in which the CaF₂ lens is protected between two lenses made of special optical glasses.

This new optical design was developed by Uwe Laux – and I have made it the basis of the new Fluorite Quadruplet Polychromats. The new optical system and design was registered as patent by us under the name Polychromatisches Objektiv und Verfahren zum Entwurf eines polychromatischen Objektivs, file number 10 2016 123 732.9, at the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA).

Following the decision to launch the APQ 150/1200 Fluorite Quadruplet Polychromat, I was able to commission the development of the mechanical design and construction of the optical tube (OTA) as well as lens fabrication of the lens group and complete mechanics fabrication. With the development and production of two prototypes of the oil spaced APQ 150/1200 Fluorite Quadruplet Polychromat with an asphere, 150mm clear aperture and 1200mm focal length, we have set ourselves a very demanding goal.

Due to individual problems in the past, the project has sometimes been delayed compared to the original planning. But most importantly, we have all the processes under control right now, so when we completed the first two prototypes of the APQ 150/1200 Fluorite Quadruplet Polychromat, I was able to announce the order placement on the site.

The APQ 150/1200 Fluorite Quadruplet Polychromat is a universal planetary refractor, a system of the highest possible image quality, in which the basic system represents the polychromatic objective. Depending on the task of observation, the basic system is combined with a Field Corrector (Flattener), Focal Reducer Corrector (Reducer) or Barlow System (Barlow Lens). The diffraction-limited correction is maintained in the spectral range from 365nm to 1014nm, so that the UBVRI spectral range of modern CCD and CMOS sensors can be fully utilized.

In the aperture range from 100mm to 250mm we will offer in the medium term a series of Fluorite Quadruplet Polychromat Refractors. The polychromats from 130mm to 200mm aperture will be available in two versions, which differ in terms of the focuser. The basic configurations are equipped with the Feather Touch focuser FTF3545 from Starlight Instruments. The premium design will optionally receive a performance focuser with a new focusing drive (currently under development).

The four lens design of the premium refractors – with or without asphere, completely oil spaced, with or without air gaps – offers a huge potential for all kinds of visual and photographic observation with different apertures and focal ratios. The UBVRI Fluorite Quadruplet Polychromats from APQ JENA are the first polychromats to be used as astronomical optics.

The APQ JENA manufacturing

APQ JENA brings astronomical optics and instrument technology back to life after 25 years in Jena. Here we build our own optics and mechanics production, assembly, measuring and testing technology.

Norbert Stroemich – Founder and owner of APQ JENA

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General terms and conditions

§1 Offer and contract

Our offers are subject to change after the expiry date. The order signed by the customer is a binding offer. We can accept this offer within two weeks by sending an order confirmation.

§2 Submitted documents

We reserve the right of ownership and copyright to all documents provided to the orderer in connection with placing the order – including in electronic form – such as calculations, drawings, etc. These documents may not be made accessible to third parties, unless we give the orderer our express written consent. As far as we do not accept the offer of the customer within the period of §1, these documents are to be returned to us immediately.

§3 Prices and payment

1. Our prices include VAT in the current amount. Packaging, delivery and shipping costs are not included in our prices and will be charged extra.

2. Unless otherwise agreed, a deposit of 50% of the purchase price is payable within 10 days of the invoice. This deposit ensures the reservation of the ordered goods and the inclusion in the production plan. The remaining payment is due upon completion and must be received in our account at least one week before the planned shipment of the goods.

3. Special projects are only included in the production plan when the complete purchase price has been received in our account.

4. Payments from abroad may incur fees, such as bank and exchange charges; these are to be paid by the customer.

5. Payment of the purchase price must be made exclusively to the account specified in the order confirmation. The deduction of cash discount is only permitted with a written special agreement.

6. In the case of deliveries of goods outside the European Union, import duties and customs duties may be incurred; these are to be paid by the customer.

7. Interest on arrears of 5% above the respective base interest rate p.a. is charged. For purchase contracts between entrepreneurs, the interest rate is 8% above the base rate. The assertion of a higher damage caused by default remains reserved. In the event that we assert a higher damage caused by default, the purchaser has the opportunity to prove to us that the alleged default damage was not incurred at all or at least substantially lower.

§4 Set-off and rights of retention

The orderer is entitled to set-off only if his claims have been legally established or are undisputed. The customer is also entitled to offset against our claims if he asserts claims for defects or counterclaims from the same purchase contract. The customer is only authorized to exercise a right of retention to the extent that his counterclaim is based on the same contractual relationship.

§5 Delivery time

1. Insofar as no expressly binding delivery date has been agreed, our delivery dates or delivery periods are exclusively non-binding information.

2. The beginning of the delivery time specified by us requires the timely and proper fulfillment of the obligations of the customer. The exception of the unfulfilled contract remains reserved.

3. The purchaser can ask us in text form 3 months after exceeding a non-binding delivery date / delivery period to deliver within a reasonable period. Should we culpably fail to comply with an express delivery date or delivery period or should we fall behind for any other reason, the customer must set us a reasonable grace period to effect the service. If we allow the period of grace to elapse fruitlessly, the purchaser is entitled to rescind the purchase contract.

4. If the purchaser is in default of acceptance or culpably violates other obligations to cooperate, we shall be entitled to demand compensation for the resulting damage, including any additional expenses. Further claims are reserved. The orderer reserves the right to prove that the damage has not occurred at the required height or at least substantially lower. The risk of accidental loss or accidental deterioration of the purchased item is transferred to the customer at the time at which he is in default of acceptance or debtor.

5. Further statutory claims and rights of the customer due to a delay in delivery remain unaffected.

§6 Retention of title

1. We reserve the ownership of the delivered goods until complete payment of all claims from the delivery contract.

2. The purchaser is obliged, as long as the property has not been transferred to him, to handle the purchased goods with care.

3. As long as the ownership has not been transferred, the purchaser must notify us immediately in text form if the delivered item is seized or subjected to other interventions by third parties. Insofar as the third party is unable to reimburse us for the legal and extrajudicial costs of a claim in accordance with §771 ZPO, the customer is liable for the loss incurred by us.

4. The processing and remodeling of the purchased item by the purchaser is always done by name and on behalf of us. In this case, the right of expectancy of the purchaser to the purchased item continues with the remodeled item. If the purchased item is processed with other items not belonging to us, we acquire co-ownership of the new item in proportion of the objective value of our purchased item to the other processed items at the time of processing. The same applies to the case of mixing. If the mixing takes place in such a way that the item of the customer is to be regarded as the main item, it shall be deemed agreed that the customer assigns co-ownership pro rata to us and secures the resulting sole ownership or co-ownership for us. To secure our claims against the purchaser, the purchaser also assigns to us such claims which accrue to him from a third party as a result of the combination of the reserved goods with a property; We already accept this assignment.

5. We undertake to release the securities due to us at the request of the customer, insofar as their value exceeds the claims to be secured by more than 20%.

§7 Warranty and notice of defects

1. Insofar as the information contained in our brochures, advertisements and other offer documents has not been expressly designated by us as binding, the illustrations or drawings contained therein are only approximately authoritative.

2. Insofar as the delivered item does not have the quality agreed between the customer and us or if it is not suitable for the purpose or use generally required by our contract or if it does not have the characteristics that the customer could expect after our public statements, then we are obliged to supplementary performance. This does not apply if we are entitled to refuse subsequent performance due to the statutory provisions.

3. The customer first has the choice of whether the supplementary performance is to be done by repair or replacement. However, we are entitled to refuse the type of supplementary performance chosen by the purchaser if it is only possible with disproportionate costs and the other type of supplementary performance remains without significant disadvantages for the purchaser. During the subsequent performance, the reduction of the purchase price or the withdrawal from the contract by the purchaser are excluded. An amendment shall be deemed unsuccessful with the unsuccessful second attempt, if not otherwise, in particular, the nature of the thing or the defect or other circumstances, otherwise. If the supplementary performance has failed or if we have refused supplementary performance as a whole, the customer may, at his discretion, demand a reduction of the purchase price (reduction) or declare his withdrawal from the contract.

4. The customer can only assert claims for damages to the following conditions due to the defect if the supplementary performance has failed or if we have refused subsequent performance. The right of the customer to assert further claims for damages under the following conditions remains unaffected.

5. We shall be liable without prejudice to the above provisions and the following limitations of liability without limitation for damage to life, body and health, which are based on a negligent or intentional breach of duty by our legal representatives or vicarious agents, as well as for damages that are covered by the liability under the Product Liability Act, as well as for all damages, which are based on intentional or grossly negligent breaches of contract as well as malice, our legal representatives or our vicarious agents. Insofar as we have given a quality and / or durability guarantee with regard to the goods or parts thereof, we are also liable under this guarantee. However, we are only liable for damage resulting from the lack of guaranteed quality or durability, but not directly to the goods, if the risk of such damage is clearly covered by the guarantee of quality and durability.

6. We are also liable for damages caused by simple negligence, insofar as this negligence relates to the breach of such contractual obligations, the observance of which is of particular importance for the achievement of the purpose of the contract (cardinal obligations). However, we are only liable if the damage is typically associated with the contract and foreseeable. Incidentally, we are not liable for simple negligent breaches of non-essential secondary obligations. The limitations of liability contained in sentences 1 – 3 also apply insofar as the liability for the legal representatives, executives and other vicarious agents is affected.

7. Further liability is excluded regardless of the legal nature of the asserted claim. Insofar as our liability is excluded or limited, this also applies to the personal liability of our personnel, employees, workers, representatives and vicarious agents.

8. The statutory warranty periods apply, calculated from the transfer of risk. These periods also apply to claims for compensation for consequential damages, unless claims are made in tort.

§8 Miscellaneous

1. This contract and the entire legal relationships between the parties are subject to the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany to the exclusion of the UN Sales Convention (CISG).

2. Should individual provisions of this contract be or become ineffective or contain a gap, the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected.

As of: January 27, 2020

Cancellation policy

Right of Withdrawal

You have the right to withdraw from this contract within fourteen days without giving any reason.

The cancellation period is fourteen days from the day on which you or a third party named by you, who is not the carrier, has taken possession of the goods.

To exercise your right of withdrawal, you must inform us by means of a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, fax or Email) of your decision to withdraw from this contract. You can use the attached Withdrawal form, which is not required.

In order to maintain the cancellation period, it is sufficient for you to send the notification of the exercise of the right of withdrawal before the expiry of the withdrawal period. The revocation must be sent to:

Consequences of the cancellation

If you withdraw from this Agreement, we shall reimburse you for all payments, which we have received from you, including the delivery costs (except for the additional costs arising from the fact that you chose a different type delivery method than the most favorable standard delivery we offer) without delay and at the latest within fourteen days from the date on which we received the notification of your revocation of this contract. For this repayment, we use the same means of payment that you used in the original transaction, unless otherwise agreed with you; In no case will you be charged for this repayment fees. We may refuse to repay you until we have received the goods back or until you have provided proof that you have returned the goods, whichever is the earlier.

You must return the goods to us immediately and in any event not later than fourteen days from the date on which you inform us of the cancellation of this contract. The deadline is met if you send the goods before the expiry of the period of fourteen days. You bear the immediate costs of returning the goods. You only have to pay for a possible loss in value of the goods, if this loss of value is due to a handling that is not necessary for the examination of the nature, characteristics and functionality of the goods.

Notes on the exclusion of the right of withdrawal

The right of revocation does not apply to contracts for the delivery of goods that are not prefabricated and for the manufacture of which an individual selection or determination by the consumer is decisive or which are clearly tailored to the personal needs of the consumer, such as in the manufacture according to individual specifications.

As of: October 22, 2019