Sapphire windows for to protect aircraft sensors from water, wind, and particulates introduced by Meller Optics

May 23, 2012
PROVIDENCE, R.I., 23 May 2012. Meller Optics Inc. in Providence, R.I., is introducing custom-fabricated sapphire windows for installation on the outboard of aircraft to protect sensors from water, wind, and high speed particulates.

PROVIDENCE, R.I., 23 May 2012. Meller Optics Inc. in Providence, R.I., is introducing custom-fabricated sapphire windows for installation on the outboard of aircraft to protect sensors from water, wind, and high speed particulates.

Meller sapphire windows feature light transmission from ultraviolet to infrared (270 nanometers to 4.7 microns) and can be made in a variety of mounting configuration, including bevels and mounting surfaces. Clear as glass, these windows have Moh 9 hardness, which is second only to diamond, company officials say.

Produced in sizes as large as 10 inches in diameter, depending on the diameter to thickness aspect ratio, Meller sapphire windows provide flatness to 1/10th wave in the visible and less than 2 arc sec. in./in. parallelism with finishes from 60-40 to 40-20 scratch-dig, depending on size and construction.

Sapphire domes also are offered as front surface protection in military applications. For more information contact Meller Optics online at www.melleroptics.com.

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About the Author

John Keller | Editor

John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.

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