Germanium (Ge) is an IR material with physical properties that make it ideal for aerospace and defense applications, among others. Using advanced crystal growth methods, Germanium boules can be produced, from which germanium domes are manufactured. Because Germanium is an expensive material, it is imperative to generate blanks from the boules in a cost-effective manner.
By utilizing 5-axis optical grinding machines, the method of scoop-grinding can effectively remove large pieces of material when creating germanium dome blanks that would then be recycled. Once scoop-ground, the germanium domes are processed using the same technology for spherical lenses: spherically generating the surface to the desired radius, then CNC high speed polishing the surface to desired irregularity and surface roughness.
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