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Optical Windows and Surface Specifications

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Optical Windows and Surface Specifications

Optical windows are devices made of glass or plastic that can be used to protect lenses, sensors, lighting systems, and the like from environmental hazards like dust, debris, and forceful impacts. There are a lot of factors that need to be considered when choosing optical windows for any application. If you’re about to purchase optical windows, here are some surface specifications that absolutely need to be taken into account. 


Surface Quality

Surface quality is one of the surface specifications that must be looked into before purchasing optical windows. An optical window’s surface quality is an evaluation of its surface imperfections (typically results of manufacturing mishaps or handling accidents). Such imperfections can minutely affect throughput and scattered light, though most of the time the resulting effects on system performance are negligible. However, it is still important to evaluate the surface quality of optical windows, because some surfaces are quite sensitive to even the smallest defects. 


Surface Flatness

In addition to surface quality, it is important to consider surface flatness when choosing optical windows for your application. Surface flatness is a measurement that describes the deviation of the optical window from a surface that is perfectly flat. Surface flatness is measured using a tool called an optical flat. Some applications require a higher degree of surface flatness from their components than others, so it is crucial to ensure that an optical window fits the given criteria for your application before you choose it. 


Optical windows play important roles in all kinds of industries, so it is a good idea to know a little bit about how they work and what they do. If you find yourself in charge of acquiring optical windows for some system or other, looking at surface specifications is a good place to start. 



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