Knight Optical's Sapphire Windows for Airborne LiDAR Systems

11 Jun 2017

Knight Optical offer a range of Stock Sapphire Windows, for use within Airborne LiDAR Systems. These are systems used in surveying for topographical measurements. The data accumulated can be used to generate a Digital Terrain Model or a Digital Elevation Model which are 3D representations of terrain.

Sapphire (Al₂O₃) is one of the hardest minerals and optical materials available for use in the range from UV up to 5µm. Making it ideal as a protective window for airborne systems which may be utilised in harsh environment or against birds!

Sapphire is grown by various methods from seed samples. Sapphire can be polished to a high standard, but as it is the second hardest mineral on Earth it must be subject to high forces to polish. Therefore, windows made from Sapphire must have a thickness to diameter ratio of at least 10:1, that is, greater than 10mm thick for a 100mm diameter disk. Sapphire is inert and resistant to attack from most processing environments, such as hydrofluoric acid. Sapphire has a melting point over 2000°C with a high thermal conductivity makes it suitable for use in harsh environments.

We hold a large inventory of Random Cut and C-Cut Sapphire Windows.

Stock sizes from 5mm to 150mm diameter; between 0.5mm – 15mm thick.
Custom shapes and sizes available to quotation.
Edging down to smaller diameters, square and rectangular apertures.

.Typical specs:

Material: Sapphire (AL₂O₃)
Diameter Tolerance: +0.0/-0.20 mm
Length/Width Tolerance:   +/- 0.10mm
Thickness Tolerance:   +/-0.10mm
Wavelength Range: 0.17 – 5.5µm
Transmission:    Tavg=85% dependant on substrate thickness

All our Sapphire Windows are fully inspected on their quality in our ISO 9001 certified, state-of-the-art Metrology laboratory, using our FIBSA, and Trioptic Prism Master. This allows us to work to the highest QA standards and meet the tolerance specifications on these precision components.

Contact our technical sales team to discover how Knight Optical’s high quality sapphire window and superior service can improve your instrumentation and supply chain experience.

UK, Europe, Asia & RoW: E-Mail info@knightoptical.co.uk Tel +44 (0)1622 859444

USA & Canada: E-Mail usasales@knightoptical.com Tel +001 401-583-7846