Optical Windows
Optical windows are transparent components made of materials like glass or crystal that are used to protect and control the flow of light in optical systems. IR windows and optics for use in FTIR Spectroscopy and CO2 lasers. This includes discs, rectangular plates and various other geometries.
In various fields, optical windows serve many purposes. They act as protective barriers, shielding sensitive optical components from environmental factors such as dust, moisture, and contaminants. Additionally, they enable the transmission of light while minimizing distortion, reflection, and absorption, thus maintaining the integrity of the optical system.
Optical windows are employed in a wide range of applications, including scientific research, industrial manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and telecommunications. They are utilized in optical instruments like cameras, microscopes, telescopes, lasers, and sensors. By providing a stable optical interface, optical windows facilitate accurate measurements, imaging, and analysis of light, enabling advancements in numerous fields.
Optical windows come in many shapes and sizes but a major factor is their material. The types of materials that an optical window is constructed from dictate the wavelengths (measured in nm) that they can view. In IR It is extremely important that selecting the right material is done to avoid many a headache and a waste of money and time.
If you are having choice fatigue and are getting overwhelmed by all the options please check out our optical window guide.
Optical Glass (N-BK7) Windows
Optical Glass (N-BK7) Windows
Optical Glass or N-BK7 is the main choice for use in the VIS (400-700nm) range. This is ideal for protecting more expensive optical components and display systems. With excellent chemical and stain resistance, high index of refraction and high transmission this makes the N-BK7 a robust contender at a low price.
Care must be taken as this material is temperature sensitive and not suitable for environments with extreme temperatures. A more robust, standard option in similar applications would be fused silica.
Firebird provides a number of stock options for Optical Glass but can provide customize and coated varieties suited to your exact specifications.
Optical Glass (N-BK7) Specs:
Wavelength range: 340-2,500nm | Coating: Uncoated |
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Diameter tolerance: ±0.1mm | Surface Quality: 60/40 |
Thickness tolerance: ±0.2mm | Paralellism: <3 arc minute |
Clear Aperture: 90% | Density: 2.51g/cm3 | Melting point: 557ºC | Young's Modulus: (GPa): 82 | Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: 7.1 x 10-6/°C | Knoop Hardness: 610kg/mm2 |
Finding the right optical window can be an exercise in choice fatigue. Let us help!