ANTGLASS manufactures custom optical windows for instruments, cameras, sensors, lasers and protected optical assemblies. These are precision optical and protective components—not architectural building windows.
A window is simple in appearance but it directly affects transmission, reflection, image quality, sealing and mechanical fit. ANTGLASS converts customer drawings into finished windows with controlled clear apertures, polished optical surfaces, defined edge zones and repeatable mounting geometry.
Product Types and Selection
| Window type | Design focus | Typical materials |
|---|---|---|
| General visible-light window | Clear aperture, parallelism, cosmetic zone | N-BK7, K9, B 270, borosilicate |
| UV or laser window | Low absorption, polished surfaces, coating compatibility | Fused silica, fused quartz, CaF2 |
| Industrial protective window | Thermal shock, chemical exposure, sealing and edge strength | BOROFLOAT 33, PYREX SG3.3, fused silica |
| Infrared window | Spectral band, coating and environmental durability | Germanium, ZnSe, sapphire, chalcogenide glass |
Material Options
For visible-light instruments, SCHOTT N-BK7 optical glass and K9 provide a practical optical-window route. Fused silica glass supports UV, laser, high-temperature and low-expansion applications. SCHOTT BOROFLOAT 33 is widely used for industrial, laboratory and sensor windows that require thermal and chemical stability.
Specifications to Put on the Drawing
- Working wavelength and required transmission
- Clear aperture and edge exclusion zone
- Thickness, flatness, parallelism or wedge
- Surface quality and cosmetic inspection zone
- Coating type, coating side and mask area
- Mounting, sealing, pressure and environmental conditions
ANTGLASS Manufacturing Capabilities
ANTGLASS provides precision cutting, CNC contour machining, drilling, slotting, notching, chamfering, edge grinding, edge polishing, surface grinding, lapping, optical polishing and ultrasonic cleaning. Windows are produced as round, square, rectangular, stepped and custom-shaped components.
Inspection, Cleaning and Packaging
Inspection combines mechanical fit and optical function. Dimensional measurements confirm outline, thickness and feature position. Optical and visual inspection controls the clear aperture, surface defects, edge chips, coating zones and cleanliness. Components are separated and protected so polished or coated surfaces do not contact each other.
Typical Applications
Precision windows are used in optical and sensor glass systems, laboratory instruments, laser equipment, industrial monitoring, imaging assemblies and sealed equipment interfaces.
Optical Window Design and Ordering Guide
Start by defining the wavelength and the true optical aperture. The mechanical outline can often use standard dimensional tolerances while the clear aperture carries the optical surface, flatness and cosmetic requirements. This division keeps the drawing functional and prevents unnecessary optical polishing outside the beam path.
Parallelism and wedge are not interchangeable. Parallel plates are used where beam deviation must be limited, while a controlled wedge can move ghost reflections away from the detector or source. Pressure windows, vacuum viewports and sealed interfaces also require a defined unsupported diameter, mounting method and edge condition.
- Mark the clear aperture, edge exclusion zone and coating mask separately.
- Identify the optical entrance side and coating side.
- State whether flatness applies to one surface, both surfaces or transmitted wavefront.
- Define allowed chips by location instead of one cosmetic limit for the complete edge.
- Include assembly loads, pressure differential, temperature and cleaning chemicals.
For projects that also require filtering or detector protection, compare sensor and machine vision glass windows and optical filter glass components.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an optical window?
An optical window is a transparent plate that protects a sensor, camera, laser or instrument while transmitting the required wavelength. Unlike a lens, its main purpose is not to focus light, although flatness, parallelism, wedge and surface quality may still affect system performance.
Which materials does ANTGLASS use for custom optical windows?
ANTGLASS manufactures optical windows from N-BK7, K9, fused silica, fused quartz, borosilicate glass, colored filter glass, aluminosilicate glass, sapphire and infrared optical materials. Material selection follows the wavelength, temperature, chemical environment, strength and cost requirements.
Can optical windows include holes, slots and custom outlines?
Yes. ANTGLASS produces circular, rectangular and irregular optical windows with holes, slots, notches, steps, chamfers, polished edges and mounting features from customer drawings.
How good is plate glass for an optical window?
Standard plate glass is suitable for simple protective covers, lighting and cost-sensitive visible-light interfaces. Precision imaging, laser, UV, vacuum or low-distortion systems normally use an optical glass, fused silica or a specified technical glass with controlled surface and geometry.
What information is required for an optical window quotation?
Provide the drawing, glass grade or wavelength, thickness, clear aperture, surface quality, flatness or transmitted wavefront, parallelism or wedge, coating, edge condition, quantity and packaging requirement.