The choice of substrate material affects not only the useful transmission wavelength range, but also such factors as pressure handling capability and thermal conductivity of the optical window.
Typical materials include N-BK7, fused silica (UV-grade, optical grade or IR-grade) and sapphire windows.
We will gladly provide windows from other materials such as CaF2, BaF2, MgF2, Ge, Si, ZnSe, etc.
Windows can be manufactured in almost any shape: round, rectangular, elliptical, or any other shape including cut-outs and drill holes. Holes may also be drilled at an angle to the surface normal.
Anti-reflection (AR) coatings are generally applied to both surfaces of a window to prevent back reflections, interference effects, ghost images and light loss.
In addition to simple flat windows, we also provide custom enclosure windows (“laser light houses”).