Custom Precision Infrared Windows

Custom Infrared Window Fabrication

Infrared windows are used in camera turrets for aircraft, marine and ground based surveillance systems, sensing applications, IR imaging and other electro optical payloads. IR windows in FLIR instruments, FTIR spectroscopy, and mineral and gas detection systems serve a range of markets including military & defense, medical, industrial, and commercial applications.

Sydor Optics is one of the leading firms polishing flat IR materials. Whether your infrared application is in the NIR (0.75µm – 1µm), the SWIR (1µm – 2.7µm), the MWIR (3µm – 5µm) or the LWIR (8µm – 12µm) spectrum, we are able to shape and polish infrared materials best suited to imaging requirements. Sydor Optics has experience producing IR components in silicon, germanium, sapphire, silica, and zinc sulfide / zinc selenide. We have manufacturing processes and metrology tools to produce and accurately measure coated or uncoated components.

Demonstrating Transmitted Wavefront with an IR Interferometer

Our IR Interferometer allows Sydor to ensure that the IR windows we produce will perform as designed at specified transmitted wavefront. The IR Interferometer allows us to test and measure the window’s performance at 3.39μm and calculate the transmitted wavefront for other IR wavelengths, allowing us to precisely qualify the IR window.

Our IR Interferometer can measure windows up to 14”, ~350mm, which allows us to ensure we meet specification on even the largest IR window requests.

Our capabilities include:

• Double-sided polishing for exceptional transmitted wavefront and parallelism.
• Metrology to measure transmitted wavefront of IR windows, as the parts are used, and taking into account the two surfaces and material homogeneity.
• Ability to measure windows up to 14”, ~350mm.
• High-volume production of IR products.

Available Material Types

Based upon customer demand, Sydor Optics offers Optical Windows made from the following optical substrate materials. Of course, if you don’t see a material you need, please contact a Sales Engineer, who will gladly discuss additional options that may be available.

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Crystal

Optical crystals are glass-like materials grown from high-purity raw materials. The most common crystals include calcium fluoride—effective for UV-spectrum applications—and magnesium fluoride, which is useful for mid-wave IR applications.

• Calcium Fluoride (CaF2)

  • Corning Calcium Fluoride – CaF2
  • Fairfield Crystal Calcium Fluoride – CaF2 (UV, VUV, Excimer, VIS, IR Grades)
  • Hellma Materials Calcium Fluoride – CaF2 (UV, VIS, IR Grades)
  • Ohara Calcium Fluoride
• Magnesium Fluoride (MgF2)

  • Corning Magnesium Fluoride – MgF2
  • Fairfield Crystal Magnesium Fluoride – MgF2
  • Ohara Magnesium Fluoride – MgF2

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Popular Materials

Fused Silica

Fused silica is a transparent glass formed by melting and cooling pure silica sand. Unlike most other glasses, fused silica does not contain any additives. It is an amorphous solid with a purity that gives it excellent optical transmission.

• Corning HPFS 7979 (UV & IR Grades)

More about Fused Silica

Popular Materials

IR Materials

Infrared materials produce good transmission in the infrared (IR) spectrum, which spans 0.75 μm to 15µm. Infrared materials are commonly selected for their transmission properties in the NIR (0.75µm – 1µm), SWIR (1µm – 2.7µm), MWIR (3µm – 5µm) or LWIR (8µm – 12µm) spectral sub-regions. The most common IR materials are silicon, germanium, sapphire, zinc sulfide, and zinc selenide.

• Germanium

  • Fairfield Crystal Germanium
  • Lattice Germanium
  • Ohara Germanium
  • Photonic Sense Germanium
• Sapphire

  • Gavish Sapphire
  • Ohara Sapphire
• Silica

  • Corning HPFS 7979 (UV & IR Grades)
• Silicon

  • Lattice Materials Silicon (Si)
  • Ohara Silicon
  • Photonic Sense Silicon
  • Precision Optics Silicon (Si)
• Zinc Sulfide

  • Fairfield Crystal Zinc Sulfide
  • Hellma CVD Zinc Sulfide
  • Ohara Zinc Sulfide
• Zinc Selenide

  • Hellma CVD Zinc Selenide

More about IR Materials

Popular Materials

Low Expansion

Low expansion glass-ceramics are characterized by a near-zero coefficient of thermal expansion and excellent resistance to thermal shock. These materials have high purity and chemical stability, with minimal internal stress.

• SCHOTT ZERODUR

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Optical Window Manufacturing Limits

IR Material Applications

Defense

For handheld, ground-based vehicles and aircraft & marine-mounted vehicles:

• Thermal imaging
• Night vision
• Targeting sights
• Camera turrets for VIS & IR imaging
• EO/IR surveillance systems
• Threat warning instruments

Law Enforcement

For handheld, ground-based vehicles and aircraft & marine-mounted vehicles:

• Thermal imaging
• Night vision

Search & Rescue

For handheld, ground-based vehicles and aircraft & marine-mounted vehicles:

• Thermal imaging for firefighting
• Night vision

Commercial/Industrial

• Power line maintenance
• Process control
• Mineral & gas detection
• Agriculture

Benefits of Double-Sided Grinding and Polishing Infrared Windows at Sydor Optics

Production Volume – Quickly

Sydor uses batch-type processing that facilitates economy of scale. This enables us to produce IR windows in the quantity you need, in the most efficient way possible, saving time and money.

Excellent Transmitted Wavefront

Paired with our IR Interferometer, our double-sided grinding and polishing process achieves excellent transmitted wavefront, creating IR windows that meet or exceed specification.

Engineering Value Into Your Precision Flat Optics

We work with optical engineers at the inception of programs to ensure the optics are designed for manufacturability and optical performance in the application’s environment.

If you are starting a new program or need assistance, please contact us.

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