Request a quote Aerospace Optical Windows
Custom optical windows for airborne imaging, sensing, and laser instrument housings.
Product Overview
Aircraft optical windows are transmissive elements shaped to fit the optical aperture of an airborne instrument housing.
They allow light to enter or leave the instrument while providing a physical barrier over its optics.
Material, outline, thickness, surface figure, transmitted wavefront requirements, and coatings can be specified to suit the instrument and its defined operating conditions.
Applications
- Aerial Survey Cameras: A housing window provides optical access for terrain and mapping images while covering the camera optics.
- Airborne Multispectral Imagers: A window selected for the required wavelength bands transmits scene radiation to the imaging channels.
- Airborne LiDAR Instruments: A window selected for the laser wavelength transmits outgoing pulses and returning light through the instrument housing.
Typical Specifications
| Parameter | Standard Grade | Precision Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | N-BK7, Quartz, CaF₂, MgF₂, ZnSe, ZnS, and other optical glass upon request | N-BK7, Quartz, CaF₂, MgF₂, ZnSe, ZnS, and other optical glass upon request |
| Dimensions | Ø3–300 mm or side length 3–300 mm | Ø3–300 mm or side length 3–300 mm |
| Diameter Tolerance | +0 / −0.10 mm | +0 / −0.02 mm |
| Length and Width Tolerance | ±0.10 mm | ±0.02 mm |
| Thickness Tolerance | ±0.10 mm | ±0.02 mm |
| Parallelism | ≤3′ | ≤2″ |
| Surface Figure (P–V) | ≤λ/4 @ 632.8 nm | ≤λ/10 @ 632.8 nm |
| Surface Quality (Scratch–Dig) | 40–20 | 20–10 |
| Surface Roughness (Ra) | ≤1.0 nm | ≤0.3 nm |
| Clear Aperture | ≥85% of overall dimensions | ≥90% of overall dimensions |
| Coating | AR / HR, etc., to customer requirements | AR / HR, etc., to customer requirements |
Other specifications, materials, and coatings are available upon request.