High-performance sapphire lenses, windows, and domes designed to protect drone vision systems operating in extreme conditions are available from Meller Optics.
Engineered for commercial and military UAVs, these optics offer exceptional resistance to environmental hazards such as abrasive particles, high temperatures, and chemical exposure.
Sapphire’s exceptional hardness, rated at Mohs 9—second only to diamond—renders it highly resistant to scratches, abrasion, and environmental hazards such as fast-moving dirt, sand, saltwater, and harsh chemicals. This robustness ensures the longevity and reliability of critical imaging and sensing equipment. Additionally, sapphire’s broad transmission range, from ultraviolet (UV) to infrared (IR), allows for versatile application across various optical systems. Optional multi-spectral anti-reflective coatings can enhance transmission to over 99%, further optimizing performance.
Meller’s sapphire optics are customizable to meet specific requirements. Windows are available in three quality grades—Standard, Superior, and High-Precision—with customizable diameter, thickness, and orientation. Domes can be fabricated up to 100mm in diameter with viewing angles up to 180 degrees, featuring wall thickness variations of less than 25 microns and dimensional tolerances down to ±10 microns. Lenses, offered in both positive and negative configurations, can be tailored for diameter and focal length, with anti-reflection and other thin-film coatings available.
Meller Optics’ in-house capabilities include 5-axis CNC machining, surface grinding, double and single-side polishing, X-ray crystal analysis, interferometric measurement, and surface roughness analysis. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified and complies with ITAR and DFARS regulations, ensuring high-quality production standards.
