The Application of Sapphire WindowsII

Sapphire windows are widely used in many high-end fields due to their excellent physical, chemical and optical properties (such as high hardness, high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, wide-band light transmittance, etc.). The following are its main terminal application scenarios and specific cases:

I. Military and defense fields

1. Military optoelectronic equipment

- Sapphire windows are used in high-end optoelectronic equipment of the army, navy and air force, such as optoelectronic pods, optoelectronic trackers, infrared warning systems, submarine optoelectronic masts, etc. Its high hardness and high temperature resistance can withstand the test of high-speed flight (such as supersonic missiles) and harsh environments (such as high temperature and high pressure).

- The seeker window of the fourth-generation infrared air-to-air missile needs to withstand high-speed flight above Mach 3. Sapphire windows are the preferred material due to their impact resistance and high light transmittance.

2. Wave-transmitting windows and fairings

- In satellites, missile fairings and military radars, sapphire windows are used to protect internal optical systems while ensuring stable transmission of microwave, infrared and other signals.

2. Consumer electronics and smart wear

1. AR/VR/MR devices

- Sapphire windows are used as lens covers for augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) devices due to their high light transmittance and wear resistance, improving user experience and product life.

2. Smartphones and smart watches

- Sapphire materials are used in the camera covers or screen protection layers of some high-end mobile phones, such as the iPhone's camera cover (early attempts). Sapphire is also often used in the watch faces of smart watches to resist scratches.

3. Industry and precision instruments

1. Laser systems and sensors

- Sapphire windows are used as protective windows for high-power lasers, withstanding the impact of strong laser beams while maintaining high light transmittance. For example, the light-transmitting windows of laser cutting machines and medical laser equipment.

- The protective windows of industrial sensors (such as oil well drilling sensors and chemical processing equipment) can work stably and for a long time in high temperature and corrosive environments.

2. Precision machinery and instruments

- Scanning windows of barcode scanners, yarn guides of textile machinery, watch and clock covers, etc., using their high hardness and wear resistance to extend the life of equipment.

IV. Optical communication and infrared imaging

1. Optical communication equipment

- Sapphire windows are used as signal protection windows in optical fiber communication and laser transmission. Near-infrared coating technology can improve its transmittance in the communication band (such as 1550nm) and reduce signal loss.

2. Infrared imaging and detectors

- Observation windows used for thermal imagers and infrared detectors, especially in military reconnaissance, security monitoring and environmental monitoring, the high infrared transmittance of sapphire (85% in the 3-5μm band) is the key.

V. Aerospace and automotive fields

1. Spacecraft and satellites

- Sapphire windows are used for optical payloads of satellites and wave-transmitting windows of space telescopes, and can withstand extreme temperatures and radiation environments in space.

2. Autonomous driving and vehicle sensors

- The protective window of vehicle infrared sensors (such as LiDAR) can enhance the perception ability at night or in bad weather through near-infrared coating, which can help autonomous driving technology.

VI. Medical and scientific research equipment

1. Medical laser equipment

- The light-transmitting windows of laser scalpels and skin treatment devices need to have both high light transmittance and high temperature resistance. Sapphire is an ideal choice.

2. Scientific research instruments

- The optical window of analytical instruments (such as spectrometers and microscopes). The wide-band light transmittance of sapphire (0.15-5.5μm) supports multi-spectral analysis from ultraviolet to infrared.

VII. Other special scenarios

- Nuclear industry and energy: observation windows of nuclear reactors and monitoring windows of high-temperature furnaces.

- Marine exploration: pressure-resistant windows of deep-sea equipment, which can withstand high pressure and corrosive seawater environments.

Summary

The application of sapphire windows covers almost all fields with strict requirements on material performance, and its technological development (such as near-infrared coating and anti-reflective coating) has further expanded the application scenarios. With the rise of Mini/Micro LED displays, smart wearables and autonomous driving, the market demand for sapphire windows will continue to grow in the future.

#FineWin Wafer has been engaged in the entire industry chain of sapphire crystal growth, processing, polishing, coating, etc. since 2009. Welcome all Friends to consult with us. Jason@finewinwafers.com