Durable metal coatings allow for hermetically sealed optics
Reynard Corporation, a leading global supplier of optical components and custom thin film coatings specializes in manufacturing high performance metalized windows. Metalized windows are produced by depositing a pre-determined pattern of metal on the surface of the optic utilizing a thin film coating process. Typical metals include gold (Au), Copper (Cu), and Nickel (Ni) as they provide good conduction and low corrosion characteristics. Other metals can also be used, if requested.
San Clemente, CA – Reynard Corporation, a leading global supplier of optical components and custom thin film coatings specializes in manufacturing high performance metalized windows.
Metalized Windows: Metalized windows are produced by depositing a pre-determined pattern of metal on the surface of the optic utilizing a thin film coating process. Typical metals include gold (Au), Copper (Cu), and Nickel (Ni) as they provide good conduction and low corrosion characteristics. Other metals can also be used, if requested. The metal pattern applied can be configured for various requirements:
- Continuous ring – Provides a surface for hermetically sealing the optic to a metal surface
- Bus bars – Allow for a conduction path between two or more sections of the optic
- Solder pads – Landing pads for wire bonding or multiple segregated connections
- Grids/Conductive planes – Heated windows or EMI protection
The metalized pattern is typically combined with a thin film filter or anti-reflection (AR) coating. For example, a high-transmission window is created by enhancing the substrate with an AR coating on both surfaces. A continuous ring is then added to the outside edge, allowing the window to be hermetically sealed to a metal surface. This configuration can then be used to protect a detector from atmospheric or environmental conditions, such as use in a cryogenic Dewar application.
“Sealed metalized windows eliminate contamination and provide an environmental barrier for the detector in cryogenic applications which will ultimately extend the life of the sensor system,” says Forrest Reynard, CEO of Reynard Corporation.
Metalized windows are produced completely within the Reynard Corporation manufacturing facility from printed specifications. All Ultraviolet, Visible, and Infrared materials can be used as a base substrate for the window to meet customer system requirements.
Applications include cryogenic Dewar windows, hermetically sealed detectors, medical endoscopes, heated windows, and special configurations.