Custom Optical Domes for Your System
Optical dome windows provide a curved protective interface between an optical system and its surrounding environment. Their performance depends on the material, inner and outer surface geometry, thickness, coating, and position within the optical assembly.
Band Optics supports drawing-based customization of hemispherical components and dome windows. Specify your required diameter, curvature, height, thickness, clear aperture, and mounting dimensions, together with the optical performance and inspection requirements.
Key options include:
Seven optical material choices.
Custom dimensions and drawing-defined tolerances.
Surface figure options from λ to λ/10 at 632.8 nm, subject to evaluation.
Surface quality options of 80-50 and 60-40 scratch-dig.
AR, BBAR, HR, DLC, and other custom optical coatings.
Technical Specifications
Parameter |
Capability / Options |
Product Types |
Hemispherical optical components and dome windows |
Materials |
Sapphire, silicon, SCHOTT N-BK7, ZnSe, ZnS, CaF₂, MgF₂ |
Diameter Range |
3–180 mm |
Thickness Range |
1–20 mm; thickness definition and measurement locations depend on component geometry |
Dimensional Tolerance |
±0.05 mm, subject to the specified dimension and geometry |
Surface Figure Options |
λ, λ/4, λ/6, λ/8, λ/10 at 632.8 nm |
Surface Quality |
80-50 / 60-40 scratch-dig |
Parallelism |
Down to 1 arcsec for applicable features, subject to engineering evaluation |
Coating Options |
AR, BBAR, HR, DLC, and other custom optical coatings |
Spectral Options Across the Product Family |
UV, visible, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR, depending on material and coating |
Specifications describe the overall capability range. Available combinations depend on material, dimensions, geometry, and inspection requirements. Surface figure evaluation method and aperture must be agreed; surface figure does not represent transmitted wavefront performance. Parallelism is not a general specification for concentric dome surfaces.
Optical Material Options
Material |
Corresponding Product |
SCHOTT N-BK7 |
N-BK7 Glass Domes |
Sapphire |
Sapphire Optical Domes |
Silicon |
Silicon Optical Domes |
Zinc Selenide — ZnSe |
Zinc Selenide Optical Domes |
Zinc Sulfide — ZnS |
Zinc Sulfide Optical Domes |
Calcium Fluoride — CaF₂ |
Calcium Fluoride Optical Domes |
Magnesium Fluoride — MgF₂ |
Magnesium Fluoride Optical Domes |
Material selection starts with your exact operating wavelength, followed by transmission requirements, environmental conditions, and mechanical constraints. Material grade, thickness, and coating must be considered together.
For ZnS and MgF₂ components, specify the required material grade or form where applicable. The spectral coverage of the product family does not mean that every material is suitable for every listed wavelength region.
Optical Coating Options
Coatings can be specified for selected surfaces according to the operating band, incidence angles, and required optical function.
Coating |
Specification Considerations |
Antireflection — AR |
Define the target wavelength range, incidence angles, and reflection or transmission requirements |
Broadband Antireflection — BBAR |
Specify performance across the required operating band |
High Reflection — HR |
For designs requiring reflective functionality on designated surfaces |
Diamond-Like Carbon — DLC |
Evaluated for protective requirements, substrate compatibility, and optical performance |
Custom Optical Coatings |
Submit the target spectrum, coated surfaces, and environmental requirements for review |
Coating availability and achievable performance depend on the substrate, geometry, and application.
Drawing-Based Customization
Your drawing provides the basis for evaluating the component’s manufacturing and inspection requirements. For dome windows, specify the relationship between the inner and outer surfaces, together with any critical mounting features.
Customization requirements may include:
Inner and outer radii of curvature.
Dome diameter, height, and clear aperture.
Wall thickness and thickness uniformity.
Concentricity and critical datums.
Surface figure and surface quality.
Coated surfaces and coating performance.
Inspection methods and acceptance criteria.
Explore our Custom Optical Service for drawing-based optical manufacturing support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one optical dome cover UV through LWIR?
The listed spectral options describe the product family. Each component requires a material and coating combination selected for its specific operating band.
λ/10 at 632.8 nm is an option for technical evaluation. Feasibility depends on the material, geometry, measurement aperture, and inspection requirements.
Can optical domes be manufactured to our drawings?
Custom dimensions, optical tolerances, and coatings can be evaluated against your drawings and application requirements.
Provide your drawing, material preference or operating wavelength, dimensions, optical tolerances, coating requirements, quantity, and inspection criteria. Include operating conditions and any pressure, temperature, or environmental qualification requirements.
Discuss Your Optical Dome Requirements
Send your drawing and application details to Band Optics for material, geometry, coating, and specification review.
Request a Custom Optical Dome Quote
