Meller Optics releases custom sapphire optics to replace softer materials

Custom fabricated sapphire optics that can replace CaF₂ or MgF₂ and other softer optical materials in applications from the UV to IR are available from Meller Optics Inc., Providence, R.I.

These optics can be custom-fabricated as plano-convex, plano-concave, and meniscus lenses, windows, mirrors, and waveplates in sizes from 1/4 to 10 inch dia. and 1/2 mm to 1 inch thick. Featuring Moh 9 hardness which is second only to diamond, sapphire transmits from the UV to IR for applications where CaF₂, MgF₂ , germanium, silicon, and quartz are too soft.

Providing up to 85% transmission uncoated from the UV to IR, Meller Sapphire optics can also be supplied with various types of A/R coatings for enhancing transmission to >99%. In addition to superior hardness, sapphire optics are chemically inert and can have surface finishes to 10-5 scratch-dig while holding flatness to 1/10th wave and parallelism to 2 arc-sec.