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Unlocking Potential: Why Sapphire Windows are Perfect for Gimbaled Systems

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Unlocking Potential: Why Sapphire Windows are Perfect for Gimbaled Systems

Meller Optics Sapphire Windows feature Moh 9 hardness, can withstand pressures to 10,000 psi, and are available in sizes from 0.25" to 10.00" diameter


Sapphire windows from Meller Optics

Meller Optics, Inc. offers custom-engineered sapphire windows that are perfectly suited for gimbaled systems exposed to challenging environments, including fast-moving dirt, sand, saltwater, and various particulates.

These sapphire windows boast a Mohs hardness rating of 9, making them nearly as hard as diamonds, and can endure pressures of up to 10,000 psi, depending on their thickness. Tailored to meet specific customer requirements, they come in diameters ranging from 0.25 inches to 10 inches, wiht customizable wall thicknesses. Options for design include stepped edges, elliptical shaping, and provisions for mounting such as holes, slots, and wedges.

With a flatness tolerance of 1/10th wave in the visible spectrum and parallelism of less than 2 arc seconds per inch, Meller Sapphire Windows are available with surface finishes ranging from 60-40 to 40-20 scratch-dig, depending on the configuration. Besides sapphire, Meller also provides materials like germanium and zinc selenide for applications in the mid to far infrared spectrum.

Specializing in custom-fabricated precision optics, Meller Optics serves OEMs in the drone, unmanned systems, and robotics sectors. The company produces durable lenses and optical components from sapphire, along with high-strength optical ceramics such as Spinel and Alon.

Key Applications

Durable Lenses & Optics for Drones & UAVs

The precision sapphire optics from Meller Optics are exceptionally suited for front surface applications in both commercial and military drone and UAV systems.

These optics provide visual and thermal imaging sensors, gimbals, and other payloads with robust protection against severe environmental conditions, including exposure to chemicals, erosion, dirt, sand, and extreme temperature and pressure variations.

Custom Optical Windows, Lenses & Domes for Underwater Vehicles

Meller Optics’ resilient lenses, windows, and domes are perfect for underwater cameras and sensors, offering the durability required by unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) operating in demanding deep-sea environments. Capable of withstanding high-pressure conditions up to 10,000 psi and fast-moving particles, these components are also highly resistant to algae due to their exceptionally smooth surfaces.

Explore our range of imaging lenses for cameras > >

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