Optical Domes
Optical Domes
Optical Domes Optical domes are hemispherical-shaped windows that protect optical sensors and cameras while allowing light transmission from multiple angles. Their curved shape eliminates the need for rotating mechanisms when full coverage is required, which is why they are used in applications like missile guidance, underwater cameras, and surveillance systems. When light passes through a dome perpendicular to the surface, there is minimal bending of the light path. The wide variety of materials and sizes available for optical domes permits them to find diverse applications across many areas.
Hemispherical Domes
These domes are half-sphere shaped with uniform curvature. They provide consistent optical properties at all viewing angles and are commonly found in missile systems and 360-degree cameras.
Sapphire Domes
Made from crystalline sapphire material, these domes are very hard and scratch-resistant. They are used in high-speed flight applications and harsh environments where the dome surface must withstand impact and erosion.
Germanium Domes
These domes are transparent in the infrared wavelength range and protect thermal imaging sensors. They are often used in thermal cameras and heat-seeking missile systems.
Fused Silica Domes
Made from high-purity silica glass, these domes transmit light well in ultraviolet wavelengths. They are used in UV imaging systems and laser applications.
Custom Optical Domes
There is a comprehensive selection of optical domes from Star-opticsavailable in many different designs, coatings and substrates to meet your needs. Some of the featured designs include Hemispherical, Conformal, Elliptical, Pressure-Resistant, and Large Aperture Domes as well as Sapphire, Germanium, and Fused Silica materials. We also provide various anti-reflection coatings such as MgF₂, UV-VIS, UV-AR, VIS 0°, VIS-NIR, BBAR and numerous laser line options.
- Material: BK7, Fused Silica, Sapphire, Germanium, ZnSe, or other optical materials
- Diameter: 10mm–500mm
- Wall Thickness: 2mm–30mm
- Surface Quality: 60/40, 40/20, 20/10
- Surface Accuracy: λ/4 to λ/10 @ 632.8nm
- Clear Aperture: >85% of diameter
- Coating: Custom AR coatings per application requirements
