What are Sapphire Step Windows?
Sapphire step windows are a specialty of iOC Optical . Step windows, aka T-Windows, are excellent for use in viewports, pressure, and vacuum situations. Sapphire step windows also make great viewports for deep ocean vehicles.
Contact us for help determining the minimum thickness needed for your pressure of vacuum window.
Optical windows used in high pressure situations have plenty to gain by losing a lot of thickness. Sapphire optical windows can be up to 65% thinner than Fused Silica windows, while also being much more scratch resistant. Guild Optics will help you determine the thickness needed to start utilizing sapphire in your project.
With a MOHS hardness of 9, sapphire is second only to diamond and it transmits from 190nm to 5000nm making it a great choice for UV applications and mid wave infrared.
iOC Optical is a top tier supplier for many of the best companies in the United States. When precision sapphire optics are required, Guild delivers per the drawing, on time, and on budget.
Round sapphire optical components are typically the most economical. Rectangular windows can also be made, but usually have to be cut out of round stock. iOC Optical has the machines needed to create any custom shaped windows as well.
| Diameter: | From 10 mm (.393”) to 305 mm (14”) in any optical axis |
|---|---|
| Thickness: | Varies by Diameter but can be sub millimeter and up |
| Flatness: | Varies by thickness but can be 1/10 wave or better if needed |
| Parallelism: | Varies by size but can be as tight as 1 arc second |
| Surface Quality: | Down to 10/5 Scratch/Dig |
| Quantities: | From singles to full large scale production runs |