Sapphire Custom-Shaped Windows Optical Glass high hardness 99.999% purity

Sapphire Custom-Shaped Windows – Optical Glass, High Hardness, 99.999% Purity
 

In the realm of high-performance optical components, sapphire custom-shaped windows stand as the pinnacle of material engineering. Crafted from 99.999% pure single-crystal aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), these precision optical elements combine unmatched hardness (Mohs 9) with exceptional optical clarity to meet the most demanding industrial, scientific, and defense applications. Unlike conventional optical glass, sapphire windows offer 3-5x greater scratch resistance, superior thermal stability (melting point 2,050°C), and outstanding chemical inertness – making them indispensable where reliability under extreme conditions is non-negotiable.
Our proprietary diamond-tool CNC machining and atomic-layer polishing processes enable the production of complex custom geometries – from ultra-thin disks to intricate polygonal shapes – with sub-micron tolerances and surface roughness <5Å. Whether for laser systems operating at megawatt power levels or spacecraft viewports facing micrometeoroid impacts, these sapphire windows deliver uncompromising performance across the electromagnetic spectrum (UV to mid-IR).
 
 

Key Features of Sapphire Optical Window

 
1. Extreme Durability

• Mohs 9 hardness – Only diamond can scratch it
• Flexural strength >800 MPa – Withstands high-pressure differentials
• Fracture toughness 2.5 MPa·m½ – 3x more impact-resistant than fused silica

 
2. Optical Excellence

• Broadband transmission (85%+ from 250nm to 5,000nm)
• Low autofluorescence – Critical for Raman spectroscopy
• Refractive index homogeneity <5 × 10⁻⁶ across entire surface

 
3. Precision Engineering

• Dimensional tolerances to ±0.001mm
• Surface flatness λ/10 at 632.8nm
• Parallelism <1 arc minute

 
4. Environmental Resistance

• Thermal shock resistant (ΔT >1,000°C)
• Radiation hard (withstands >10⁶ Gy)
• Impervious to all acids except hydrofluoric

 
5. Customization Capabilities

• Complex geometries: Hexagons, D-shapes, trapezoids, free-form
• Edge treatments: Beveled, rounded, or precision-ground
• Coatings: AR coating,High Transmission Coatings,Reflective Coatings,Hard Coating,Anti-Soiling Coatings,Anti-Glare Coatings,Filter Coatings

   

Applications

 
1. High-Power Laser Systems

• CO₂ laser exit windows (9.4-10.6μm range)
• Excimer laser optics for semiconductor lithography
• Laser weapon system apertures

 
2. Aerospace & Defense

• Missile dome windows (hypervelocity impact resistance)
• Spacecraft viewports (micrometeoroid protection)
• Electro-optical targeting systems

 
3. Industrial Equipment

• Process monitoring windows for semiconductor fabs
• High-pressure viewports (up to 300 bar)
• Spectrometer sample cells

 
4. Scientific Instruments

• Synchrotron beamline components
• Cryogenic microscopy windows
• Particle detector enclosures

 
5. Specialized Commercial Uses

• Premium watch crystals
• Underwater camera housings
• Harsh environment sensors

Specifications

​Q&A
 

 
Q1: How does sapphire compare to fused silica for UV applications?
A1: While both transmit UV well, sapphire offers 3x greater scratch resistance and 10x higher thermal conductivity, though with slightly lower transmission below 200nm.
 
Q2: Can you match specific optical coatings used on other materials?
A2: Yes – our ion-beam sputtering systems can replicate most dielectric coatings with <1% performance variance versus glass substrates.
 
Q3: What's the lead time for custom D-shaped windows?
A3: 4-6 weeks for standard specs; 8-10 weeks for complex geometries requiring new tooling.
 
Q4: Are these windows suitable for vacuum applications?
A4: Absolutely – sapphire has negligible outgassing (TML <0.01%, CVCM <0.001%) meeting NASA ASTM E595 standards.
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