Glass Domes: Superior Optical Performance and Protection

Optical domes are hemispheric windows that offer a protective boundarywhile maintaining a clear field of vision between two surroundings. They generally consist of two parallel surfaces. Shanghai Optics makes optical domes in a broad range of substrates suitable for visible, IR, and UV light. These domes range in diameter from 5 mm to more than 200 mm, with custom sizes available upon request.

BK7, or fused silica, is an excellent choice for an optical dome that will only transmit visible light, such as on a camera sensor or in meteorology applications. BK7 has exceptional chemical stability and great transmission in the 300 nm to 2 µm wavelength range.

UV-grade fused silica is offered for transmitting UV light. The fused silica domes are perfect for underwater applications since they can tolerate high pressure. Up to 185 nm in wavelength, about 85% of wavelengths are transmitted through this optical glass.

Shanghai Optics can also make acrylic domes upon request. These domes are still quite robust, although they scatter less light than BK7 or fused silica.

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Germanium Dome Lenses – Diameter: 187.3 mm / Height: 60 mm. Image Credit: Shanghai Optics Inc.

Optical Domes Manufacturing Capability

Source: Shanghai Optics Inc.

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Different Types of Optical Domes

Infrared optical domes are crucial for defense applications, and sapphire is frequently the preferred material. Sapphire is the hardest material found in nature, second only to diamond, and it is impervious to wear and scratches.

It can also endure high pressure and transmit 80% of light in the 2 to 5 micrometerwavelength range. Other materials for infrared domes include zinc selenide, germanium, calcium fluorite, zinc sulfide, and silicon.

Silicon has a primary transmission range of 3-5μm, low density, and strong thermal conductivity. Thus, it is the most cost-effective IR material.

Zinc Selenide domes have a broad wavelength range, from 3 µm to 16 µm. However, ZnSe is softer than other commonly used IR substrates and should not be employed in harsh environments. It, too, has a high index of refraction, but with an AR coating, it can transmit light well. It is an excellent choice for thermally demanding situations.

The Germanium IR domes cover a transmission range of 2-14 μm. They are tough, and while they are not as hard as sapphire, Shanghai Optics provides diamond AR coatings (hard carbon or DLC) to give maximum resilience to adverse conditions.

Polycrystalline Zinc Sulfide domes are hotpressed under vacuum and give multispectral transmission—an average of 70% from 3-5 µm to 8-12 µm. This hotpressed zinc has excellent thermal characteristics, and an AR/AR coating helps boost transmission.The production technique allows users to modify dome form and size and could produce larger domes or domes with different curvature radius.

MgF2 translucent ceramic domes are also hot pressed, with a high transmission ranging from 2 to 7.5mm. Due to their high toughness and flexural strength rating of 20,000 psi, they are commonly utilized in missiles and launch tubes.

Shanghai Optics applies anti-reflection coatings to every dome. By improving light transmission, these coatings can significantly enhance images. The unique coatings can increase longevity in harsh environments where robustness precedes optical transmission.

IR Transmissive Dome Applications:

Security technology anddefense

Half-space observation

Head protection optics

Infrared missle domes

Optical domes with special high-resistant and high-anti-reflective coatings protect active optical systems in security and defense applications.

Shanghai Optics can assist with:

Special adapter interface surface design with the mechanical mount

Manufacturing with tight tolerance

Geometric design with high precision

Coating design (High resistant and high anti-reflective)

Every component is rigorously inspected to ensure conformity with DIN, ISO, and MIL standards.

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