Knowledge & Service >> Sapphire Windows Fabrication |
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| Synthetic Sapphire |
| Synthetic Sapphire is a single crystal and, as such, cannot be molded, drawn, or cast. However, it can be grown into specific shapes, such as tubes and rods. |
| Sapphire growth methods include the Kyropoulos, EFG, and HEM processes, each yielding sapphire with varying specifications in terms of size, thickness, and inclusions. |
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| Choices of Crystal Orientation for Sapphire Window: |
| The fabrication of sapphire windows relies heavily on crystal orientation, which determines their unique characteristics. When producing sapphire windows, various factors such as birefringence, thermal expansion, lattice constant, and other orientation-dependent physical properties are considered. |
| For example, C-plane sapphire, often referred to as 'zero degree' or 'c-cut,' exhibits slight birefringence. In sapphire windows, the optical axis should be perpendicular to the plane to minimize birefringence. Consequently, C-plane sapphire is commonly used in these applications. |
| If the crystal orientation is not specified, the default choice for sapphire window fabrication is 'random' orientation. This means the window is crafted without specific attention to crystalline orientation, resulting in a cut nearly 60° to the optic axis, which is the 'softest' direction for sawing. |
| Overall, understanding the impact of crystal orientation is crucial in the fabrication of high-quality sapphire windows. |
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| Sapphire Window Polishing: |
| Due to its hardness and high mechanical strength, polishing sapphire windows is a difficult and time-consuming process. Achieving optical flatness, a low scatter surface finish, and avoiding surface and subsurface damage during the production of sapphire windows presents significant challenges. |
| With over 20 years of diverse experience, HYT Sapphire Optics possesses in-depth knowledge of sapphire's characteristics and understands how various properties of sapphire influence manufacturing processes and the overall performance of sapphire windows. |
| Our advanced super polishing processes enable us to achieve sapphire windows with exceptionally low roughness, high surface quality, and precise surface accuracy. |
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| Sapphire Windows Coating: |
| The applications of sapphire windows span a wide range of industries, including Defense and Aerospace, Sensors and Instrumentation, and Medical Devices. Sapphire windows are required to perform under extreme operating conditions, demonstrating exceptional durability and performance. Consequently, the coatings applied to these windows must withstand harsh environmental conditions. The coating designs are multispectral to leverage sapphire's broad wavelength transmission properties. |
| With our extensive experience, we ensure thin film spectral uniformity across the clear aperture. We provide antireflective and dielectric coatings for UV, VIS, MIR, and multispectral applications, catering to the diverse needs of our clients. |
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| Fabrication Capability of Sapphire Windows: |
| HYT Sapphire Optics offers comprehensive solutions for sapphire windows fabrication, encompassing shaping, grinding, drilling, polishing, and coating. |
| Our experienced engineers understand the impact of various manufacturing processes on the strength, optical performance, and reliability of sapphire windows. We have the capability to fabricate high-precision sapphire windows, ensuring exceptional performance and reliability. |
| Our typical achievable specifications for sapphire windows include diameters up to 200 mm, surface accuracy up to 1/10 lambda (lambda 633 nm), surface quality up to 10/5, and parallelism up to 5 arc seconds. |
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| Tools design capability: |
| We have the capability to design tools, metrology fixtures, test fixtures, and assembly frames specifically for the precision fabrication of sapphire windows. |
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| Metrology equipments: |
| We possess sophisticated metrology equipment, including ZYGO interferometers, to measure surface quality, transmitted wavefront, and material homogeneity. |
| These advanced tools enable us to fabricate and assess sapphire windows with exceptional precision, ensuring they meet the highest standards of performance and quality. |
| These equipments enable us to fabricate and measure sapphire windows with high level of precision. |
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| Capability of Volume Production: |
| We have the capability and experience to perform production runs of sapphire windows, from prototypes to large quantities. |
| Our facilities are equipped with essential manufacturing equipment, detailed program management, consistent and well-controlled processes, and well-designed tools to ensure efficient volume production. |
| HYT Sapphire Optics is well-positioned to serve as a long-term, reliable partner, offering the expertise and resources necessary for sustained success in sapphire windows fabrication. |
