Custom optical windows are transparent glass or plastic components used to provide a protective covering for optical instruments, such as cameras and lenses. They are also used to control the amount of light passing into an optical system. Optical windows come in various shapes and sizes, depending on their intended application.

The most common type of custom optical window is a single-element window made from either glass or plastic material. It typically has one flat surface and one curved surface that provides protection against outside elements such as dust, moisture, heat, and ultraviolet radiation. Single-element windows may be further customized with additional layers of protective coatings such as antireflection (AR) coating to reduce reflection losses in the visible spectrum range.

Quartz or Borosilicate Glass

Multi-element windows are also available in the form of double-element, triple-element, or even more complex designs. These types of windows are typically used when more protection and/or advanced optical performance is required. They may be constructed using various combinations of glass or plastic substrates with different AR coatings applied to each layer.

Customized optic windows can also be designed to meet specific environmental requirements. Special coatings such as hard coat (HC) can be applied to the window surface to provide additional protection against scratches, abrasion, and impacts from debris. Other specialized materials such as quartz or borosilicate glass may also be used for custom applications where thermal shock resistance and high temperature stability is required. Each application will have its own unique set of requirements, so manufacturers must be consulted in order to determine the best solution. 

Fabricated to Exacting Specifications

Custom optical windows are an essential component of many precision instruments and devices. In addition to providing a protective covering, they also play an important role in determining the performance of the instrument or device. As such, it is critical to select high-quality materials and have them custom fabricated to exacting specifications in order to ensure optimal performance. With proper care and maintenance, these unique optics can provide years of reliable service with minimal degradation of performance. Contact Sterling Precision today to find out more.