Meller Optics, a manufacturer of high-precision custom optical windows, domes and lenses for UAVs, ROVs, AUVs, and robotic systems, has introduced a new line of sapphire windows designed to provide protection for the sensitive optical systems on drones.
These windows are engineered to withstand the harsh environments that drones often operate in, shielding cameras, detectors, and sensors from fast-moving debris, chemicals, and extreme temperatures.
The Meller Sapphire Windows for drones are renowned for their exceptional durability and optical clarity. With a Mohs hardness rating of 9—second only to diamond—these sapphire windows offer a level of toughness that ensures superior protection against abrasions, dirt, and chemical exposure during flight. The material also boasts impressive optical performance, transmitting up to 85% of light from UV to IR when uncoated, and exceeding 99% transmission when treated with anti-reflective coatings.
Key features of Meller Sapphire Windows for drones include:
- Hardness & Durability: Mohs 9 hardness for resistance to fast-moving dirt and chemicals, high heat, and mechanical stress.
- Optical Performance: 85% transmission (UV to IR) uncoated; greater than 99% with A/R coatings.
- Precision Surface Finishes: Available in 60-40 to 40-20 scratch-dig ratings with flatness held to 0.5 fringes of HeNe.
- Dimensional Accuracy: Parallelism ranges from 20 to 2 arc-seconds, ensuring exceptional optical alignment.
- Size & Thickness: Available in diameters from 1/4″ to 10″ and thicknesses from 1/2 mm to 1″ to fit various drone applications.
In addition to its impressive mechanical and optical properties, sapphire is also capable of withstanding extreme environmental conditions. It can endure temperatures as high as 1,000°C and pressures up to 10,000 psi, depending on the specific configuration. This combination of toughness, clarity, and resilience makes Meller Sapphire Windows an ideal solution for protecting critical drone sensors in the most demanding operational environments.
