Sapphire windows with through holes refers to precision-engineered transparent components made from synthetic sapphire (a crystalline form of aluminum oxide) that have one or more holes drilled entirely through them. Here’s a straightforward breakdown:
What They Are
Sapphire Windows: Transparent optical components that protect sensitive devices or systems while allowing light to pass through. They’re valued for their exceptional hardness (second only to diamond), high thermal stability, scratch resistance, and broad-spectrum optical transmission (UV to IR).
With Through Holes: These windows are modified with holes drilled all the way through, typically for mechanical integration—like mounting, alignment, or fluid/gas passage.
Common Uses
Laser and optical systems requiring extreme durability and precision.
Medical devices, where the window also serves as a fluidic interface.
Aerospace and defense applications, such as sensor protection with access ports.
Semiconductor and high-vacuum equipment, where vacuum-tight holes are needed for electrical feedthroughs or probes.
Key Design Considerations
Hole size and placement: Must be precisely engineered to avoid cracking.
Chamfering: Often added to reduce stress concentrations around holes.
Surface finish: Both optical clarity and mechanical tolerances are critical.
Customization: These are typically made to order, with tight specs on flatness, parallelism, and material purity.