What are Optical Windows used for?

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Optical Windows are flat optical components that are designed to transmit light according to the wavelength range required by a specific application. They protect sensitive equipment and can produce a range of optical effects with additional optical coatings.

In this first of our two articles on these widely used optical components, we look at the key properties of Optical Windows as well as their use in a huge range of scientific, medical, defence and industrial sectors and applications.

We also run through some of our most popular optical windows including Germanium Windows and Sapphire Windows and their respective options, applications and properties.


Key properties of Optical Windows

Optical Window specifications may be based on a range of material properties and criteria including:

Material transmission

Refractive index

Substrate hardness

Scattering or diffusion requirements

Environmental durability and resistance.

Their use should not impact on magnification of a system.

Optical Windows can be optically polished. Surfaces can be coated with AR coatings for maximum transmission performance across a particular wavelength from the UV to IR.

What are Optical Windows used for?

Optical Windows are used by scientific and industrial companies across the world of medical, defence, instrumentation, laser, research and imaging.

Substrate options

Depending on the requirements specified, optical windows can be made in a range of materials:

Barium Fluoride (BaF2)

Borosilicate

Calcium Fluoride (CaF2)

Float Glass

Fused Quartz

Germanium (Ge)

Lead Glass

Magnesium Fluoride (MgF2)

Optical glass

Sapphire

Silicon (Si)

UV Fused Silica

Zinc Selenide (ZnSe)

Zinc Sulphide (ZnS).

Popular Optical Windows from CLZ Optics

CLZ Optical Windows products include wedges, substrates, discs, flats, plates, rods, protection windows, laser windows, camera windows, light guides and domes.

All our Optical Windows are available from a standard range stock, while custom sizes and specifications can be custom-made to your specific design.

We stock a wide range of optical windows. Here we look at some of the most popular:

AR Coated Thin Glass Windows, Plates and Sheets

BK7 Windows

Fused Silica Windows and Plates

Germanium Windows

Optical Diffusers

Sapphire Windows and Plates

Silicon Windows

AR Coated Thin Glass Windows, Plates and Sheets

AR coating of glass plates and substrates reduces glare and reflection, thereby increasing transmission and brightness. AR coatings are used widely used in LCD modules, display panels and medical devices and can be applied in a range of custom thicknesses to 0.10mm thick. Coating layers can be applied to both sides of the optical window substrate for the visible wavelength or to a single side for the near IR.

BK7 Windows

BK7 windows are made from high quality borosilicate-crown glass material for applications and instrumentation in the medical, scientific and industrial sectors.  BK7 windows are supplied as diameters, squares and rectangles from standard stock range or to custom specifications and provide excellent transmission in the visible and near IR areas of the spectrum. AR coatings can be applied for increased transmission.

Fused Silica Windows and Plates

Fused silica is an extremely pure material with a very fine, low scatter surface quality which is ideal for optical windows. Fused silica windows are widely used in high-energy applications such as imaging and laser systems where microscopic defects could potentially lead to damage due to distortion, autofluorescence or scattering. AR coatings can be applied for UV, visible or IR applications.

Germanium Windows

Germanium windows and lenses are used widely in thermal imaging systems, defence and aerospace industries, life and medical sciences, industrial OEM and many other infrared applications. They have excellent transmission across 2-14 µm waveband and can be used in both mid-wave infrared (IR) and long wave IR systems. Transmission reduces as the temperature of the window increases. Germanium windows can be supplied uncoated, AR both sides coated and AR/DLC coated in a range of sizes.

Fused Quartz Windows & Plates

Fused quartz windows are used in lamps, instruments, viewports and other sensitive equipment where protection from harsh environmental extremes is required. This is because fused quartz is very hard, has high temperature stability to 1050°C and is resistant to thermal shock. Fused quartz windows offer transmission ranges from 260nm to over 2 microns, multiple grade options from commercial to precision and custom options including surface flatness, coatings, shapes and dimensions make them a cost-effective choice for industrial and optical applications.

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