What types of custom optical windows does Band Optics manufacture?

Band Optics manufactures flat, wedged, protective and infrared windows in round, rectangular and customer-defined formats. Material, thickness, surface tolerances, edge features and coating are reviewed for each project.

Can you manufacture optical windows directly from our drawing?

Yes. Provide the controlled drawing or specification with material, dimensions, thickness, flatness, transmitted wavefront, parallelism or wedge, clear aperture, surface quality, coating and quantity.

What is the difference between surface flatness and transmitted wavefront?

Flatness describes deviation of an individual polished surface. Transmitted wavefront measures the combined optical effect of both surfaces, thickness variation and material homogeneity through the finished window.

What is the difference between a parallel and wedged window?

A parallel window limits the angle between its surfaces, while a wedged window intentionally introduces a defined angle to separate reflections or reduce etalon effects. The wedge direction and datum must be specified.

Which materials are available for custom windows?

Options include optical glass, fused silica, sapphire, CaF2, MgF2, silicon, ZnSe, ZnS and selected technical glasses. Final selection depends on wavelength, environment, dimensions, finish and coating compatibility.

Can optical windows receive AR, DLC or ITO coatings?

AR, broadband, laser, infrared protective and selected conductive coatings can be evaluated. The substrate, wavelength, AOI, polarization, exposure side and environmental requirements must be defined.

Can Band Optics manufacture thin or large optical windows?

The handbook presents flat-optics category references up to approximately 650 650 mm and 0.2100 mm thickness, but these limits do not apply equally to every material, geometry and tolerance. Required dimensions must be reviewed with the complete specification.

How are custom optical windows inspected?

Inspection can include dimensions, thickness, TTV, flatness, transmitted wavefront, parallelism or wedge, surface quality, roughness and spectral coating measurements using the method agreed during drawing review.

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Custom Optical Windows for OEM Optical Systems

Flat, Wedged, Protective and Infrared Windows Manufactured to Customer Specifications

Band Optics manufactures custom optical windows for imaging, laser, sensing, infrared and analytical systems. Components can be produced from customer drawings or application requirements, with material, size, thickness, flatness, parallelism or wedge, surface quality and coating reviewed as one controlled specification.

Our window capabilities cover standard circular and rectangular formats as well as customer-defined outlines, thin substrates, infrared materials and coated protective components. Prototype and repeat OEM projects can include lapping, precision polishing, CNC edge processing, optical coating and dimensional, interferometric or spectral inspection according to the approved drawing.

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Optical Component Manufacturing Since 2008

3,500 m² Optical Production Workshop

Lapping, Polishing, Coating and Metrology Capabilities

Prototype and Repeat OEM Production Support

Optical Window Manufacturing for Engineers and OEM Buyers

Optical windows protect sensors, detectors, lasers and optical assemblies while transmitting the required wavelength range with controlled effect on the beam or image. Band Optics manufactures custom windows from customer drawings and system requirements, supporting early prototypes for fit and optical verification as well as repeat production for established OEM programs.

Available configurations include flat, wedged, protective and infrared windows in round, rectangular and customer-defined outlines. Material, length and width or diameter, thickness, flatness, transmitted wavefront, parallelism, wedge, clear aperture, surface quality, edge geometry and coating are reviewed together because each requirement affects manufacturing, mounting and inspection.

Windows are used in machine-vision cameras, laser systems, thermal imagers, sensors, analytical instruments and industrial enclosures. Engineering and production support can coordinate double-sided lapping, precision polishing, CNC shaping, thin-part handling, AR or functional coatings and optical inspection so that the finished component matches both the optical path and mechanical interface.

Custom Optical Window Types

Select a window type according to the required beam behavior, operating wavelength, environmental barrier and mounting interface. Each category can be customized by material, dimensions, thickness, surface tolerances, edge features and coating.

Flat optical windows protect components or separate environments while minimizing unintended optical power. Flatness, transmitted wavefront, parallelism and coating are specified according to the imaging, sensing or laser path.

Flat Windows
Wedged windows use a controlled angle between the two optical surfaces to separate reflections, reduce etalon effects or redirect unwanted ghost beams. Wedge magnitude, direction and datum orientation must be defined.

Wedged Windows
Protective windows shield detectors, cameras, displays and optical assemblies from dust, handling, abrasion or environmental exposure. Material hardness, thickness, edge design, coating and mounting conditions are evaluated together.

Protective Windows
Infrared windows use wavelength-appropriate materials such as silicon, ZnSe, ZnS, CaF2 or MgF2 for thermal imaging, sensing, spectroscopy and infrared laser systems. Transmission, thermal behavior and protective coating requirements vary by material.

Infrared Windows

Applications of Custom Optical Windows

Optical windows are specified according to the spectral band, beam or imaging sensitivity, mechanical envelope and environmental exposure of the finished system. A window that functions as a simple barrier in one instrument may require tight wavefront, wedge or coating control in another.

04-applications-01-precision-imaging-systems

Precision windows protect camera sensors and imaging assemblies while controlling transmitted wavefront, ghost reflections and surface defects that could reduce image contrast.

Imaging and Machine Vision

04-applications-03-laser-focusing-beam-delivery

Laser windows isolate sources, processing chambers or beam paths. Substrate, surface quality, flatness, coating, angle of incidence and complete laser conditions must be defined together.

Laser Systems

04-applications-02-infrared-imaging-detection

Infrared windows protect thermal detectors and imaging modules while transmitting the selected IR band. Material absorption, temperature behavior, coating and environmental durability influence performance.

Infrared Imaging and Detection

Windows provide optical access to photodetectors, spectrometers, gas cells and laboratory instruments while maintaining the required wavelength range and enclosure interface.

Sensors and Analytical Instruments

Flat, coated and custom-shaped windows support inspection, process monitoring and enclosed optical paths where cleanliness, mechanical fit and repeatable transmission are required.

Semiconductor and Industrial Equipment

Protective windows separate sensitive optics from dust, particles, cleaning exposure or mechanical contact. The design must connect optical requirements with thickness, mounting stress and edge protection.

Environmental and Equipment Protection

Precision Optical Window Manufacturing Capabilities

The manufacturing route is selected according to substrate, dimensions, thickness, flatness, parallelism or wedge, surface finish, edge geometry, coating and quantity. Thin windows, large plates, infrared materials and laser windows require different fixtures, handling and inspection strategies.

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Double-Sided Lapping

Double-sided lapping controls thickness, parallelism and material removal across flat substrates before final polishing.

Precision Flat Polishing

Polishing refines surface flatness, finish and clear aperture using tools and process conditions matched to material, size, thickness and production volume.

Parallelism and Wedge Control

Surface-to-surface angle is controlled according to whether the window must remain parallel or provide a defined wedge for reflection separation.

CNC Shaping and Edge Features

CNC processing can establish circular, rectangular or customer-defined outlines, bevels, steps, holes and mounting features when supported by the drawing and material.

Thin and Large-Format Window Processing

Handling, support, cleaning and inspection methods are adapted for thin or large substrates to reduce deformation and edge damage during manufacturing.

Optical Coating Integration

AR, broadband, laser, infrared protective and selected functional coatings are coordinated with substrate, aperture, AOI, polarization and environmental exposure.

Custom Optical Window Specifications

The table below presents Band Optics manufacturing and customization capabilities for Optical Windows. Values are capability references for customer-facing evaluation, not a list of fields the customer must complete.

BAND OPTICS TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES
Capability Item	Band Optics Manufacturing Range	Capability Item	Band Optics Manufacturing Range
Window Types	Flat, wedged, protective and infrared optical windows	TTV / Bow / Warp	Measurement and control available for thin, large or mechanically sensitive windows
Available Materials	Optical glass, fused silica, sapphire, CaF2, MgF2, silicon, ZnSe, ZnS and selected technical glasses	Surface Quality	Documented examples include 20-10 and 10-5 scratch-dig
Maximum Category Size	Up to approximately 650 × 650 mm	Surface Roughness	Documented flat-optics example Rq <0.3 nm
Thickness Range	Approximately 0.2-100 mm	Clear Aperture	Approximately 85%-100% in documented examples
Surface Flatness	Documented examples include PV < λ/20 and RMS < λ/100	Edge Features	Safety bevels, protective chamfers, radii, steps, holes, flats and mounting lands
Transmitted Wavefront	Custom transmitted-wavefront control with interferometric inspection	Coating Capability	Uncoated, AR, BBAR, V-coating and selected DLC, ITO or functional coatings
Parallelism	Documented example below 1 arcsecond	Inspection Capability	Dimensions, flatness, wavefront, parallelism/wedge, TTV, bow, warp, roughness and spectral coating tests
Wedged Windows	Custom wedge magnitude, direction and datum orientation	Production Support	Prototype, pilot and repeat OEM production

CAPABILITY NOTE:

Available combinations depend on material, geometry, dimensions, precision, coating and inspection requirements. Final specifications are confirmed through engineering review.

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Optical Materials for Custom Windows

Window material affects transmission, refractive index, absorption, thermal expansion, hardness, density, chemical resistance, attainable finish and coating compatibility. Selection should reflect the complete operating environment rather than wavelength range alone.

N-BK7 and Optical Glass

N-BK7 and equivalent optical glasses support visible and near-infrared windows requiring balanced transmission, polishability, availability and cost.

Fused Silica

Fused silica is considered for ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared and laser applications requiring low thermal expansion and good optical homogeneity.

Sapphire

Sapphire provides high hardness and environmental durability for protective windows, with optical orientation, thickness, surface finish and coating evaluated for the application.

Calcium Fluoride

CaF2 offers ultraviolet and infrared transmission with low dispersion, while its mechanical and thermal characteristics require appropriate processing and mounting.

Magnesium Fluoride

MgF2 supports selected ultraviolet and infrared windows and must be reviewed for crystal orientation, geometry, finish and coating.

Silicon

Silicon is used for selected near- and mid-infrared windows; absorption, temperature and coating performance depend on wavelength and material grade.

Zinc Selenide and Zinc Sulfide

ZnSe and ZnS support infrared transmission for thermal imaging, sensing and laser systems. Grade, thickness, environment and protective coating requirements should be defined.

Technical and Protective Glasses

B270, BOROFLOAT, Gorilla Glass and other approved glass types can be evaluated for displays, sensors and protective interfaces according to transmission, strength, surface and coating requirements.

Optical Coatings for Custom Optical Windows

Coating requirements must be matched to substrate, spectral range, transmission target, angle of incidence, polarization, surface orientation and environmental exposure. For wedged windows, the drawing should identify which surface receives each coating and how the wedge is oriented in the assembly.

Anti-Reflective Coatings

Single-layer or multilayer AR coatings reduce reflection across a defined wavelength range for imaging, sensing and general optical access.

Broadband AR Coatings

Broadband designs improve transmission across wider UV, visible, NIR or selected infrared bands when the substrate and AOI range support the coating.

Laser V-Coatings

V-coatings provide low reflection near a specified laser wavelength. Wavelength, AOI, polarization and complete laser operating conditions should be supplied.

Infrared BBAR Coatings

Infrared broadband AR coatings can be evaluated for compatible IR substrates and defined spectral bands, with environmental requirements included in the specification.

DLC Protective Coatings

Diamond-like carbon coatings can provide a durable exterior surface for selected infrared windows. Substrate, spectral band, exposure side and durability test must be agreed.

ITO and Functional Coatings

Conductive ITO or other functional coatings can be considered where electrical, transmission and environmental requirements are defined together.

Custom Optical Window Manufacturing Process

The process route is released after the drawing, material, dimensions, optical tolerances, edge features, coating and inspection plan have been reviewed together. The exact sequence varies by substrate, thickness and geometry.

Drawing and Specification Review

Engineering checks material, outline, thickness, flatness, wavefront, parallelism or wedge, surface quality, coating, quantity and acceptance criteria.

Material and Blank Preparation

The approved substrate is cut or prepared with allowance for finished dimensions, edge processing and handling.

Double-Sided Lapping or Fine Grinding

Material removal establishes thickness, parallelism and preliminary flatness while controlling subsurface condition.

Precision Polishing

Both optical surfaces are polished to achieve the required flatness, finish, clear aperture and transmitted performance.

Intermediate Measurement and Correction

Thickness, TTV, flatness, parallelism or wedge are measured and the process is corrected before final edge completion.

CNC Shaping and Edge Processing

Diameter or outline, bevels, steps, holes and mounting features are completed according to the approved datums.

Cleaning and Optical Coating

Qualified windows are cleaned, masked and coated according to the approved spectral, orientation and environmental requirements.

Final Inspection and Documentation

Dimensions, surface quality, flatness, wavefront, parallelism or wedge and coating performance are verified before release.

Optical Window Inspection and Quality Control

Inspection is planned around the drawing-controlled function of the window. Surface, transmitted and mechanical measurements are kept distinct so results can be compared with the correct acceptance requirement.

Dimensional Inspection

Length and width or diameter, thickness, bevels, holes, steps and other mechanical features are checked against the approved drawing.

Interferometric Flatness Testing

Polished surfaces are evaluated using a suitable interferometric reference, test wavelength, aperture and supported condition.

Transmitted Wavefront Measurement

The assembled effect of both surfaces and substrate is measured through the window using the agreed configuration and removed terms.

Parallelism and Wedge Measurement

The angle between surfaces is verified relative to the specified datum and wedge orientation.

TTV, Bow and Warp Inspection

Total thickness variation, bow and warp can be evaluated where required for thin, large or mechanically sensitive windows.

Surface Quality and Roughness

Scratches, digs, pits, coating defects, contamination and micro-roughness are inspected according to the stated standard, aperture and measurement bandwidth.

Spectral Coating Verification

Transmission or reflection is measured across the defined wavelength and AOI conditions using the agreed reporting method.

Environmental Verification

Environmental tests can be planned when the method, procedure, sample condition and pass criteria are specified; equipment availability alone is not a certification claim.

Custom Optical Window Manufacturing by Band Optics

Band Optics supports made-to-print window projects from initial technical review through material preparation, flat polishing, edge processing, coating, inspection and repeat OEM manufacturing. The emphasis is on connecting the window's optical function with its mechanical interface and measurable acceptance criteria.

Manufacturing from Customer Drawings

Dimensions, datums, surfaces, materials, coatings and inspection requirements are processed according to the approved customer specification.

Integrated Flat-Optics Processes

Lapping, polishing, CNC shaping, edge finishing, cleaning and coating can be coordinated within one controlled project.

Broad Material and Coating Coordination

Optical glasses, crystals, infrared materials and protective substrates are evaluated with wavelength, environment and coating compatibility.

Prototype and Repeat Production

Prototype builds establish fixtures, process parameters and inspection methods that can support pilot and recurring OEM orders.

Inspection Planning

Dimensional, flatness, wavefront, TTV, surface-quality and spectral measurements are aligned with the drawing before production release.

Related Custom Optical Components

Custom windows can be supplied alongside other made-to-print optics used in the same imaging, laser, sensing or analytical system. Coordinating substrate, coating, aperture and mechanical datums across related components can simplify system integration.

Custom Optical Lenses

Spherical, cylindrical, achromatic and ball lenses focus, collimate, shape or couple light within the protected optical path.

Aspheres & Freeforms

Aspheric and freeform surfaces provide additional aberration correction, beam shaping and packaging control in compact systems.

Optical Prisms

Imaging, dispersing, steering and homogenizing prisms control beam direction, image orientation, spectral separation or illumination distribution.

Optical Filters

Bandpass, longpass, shortpass, notch and neutral-density filters control the spectral content or intensity reaching a detector.

Optical Domes

Visible and infrared domes protect wide-field sensors where curved geometry, wall thickness and environmental exposure must be controlled.

10-related-components-07-optical-assemblies

Custom Optical Assemblies

Mounted optics and multi-element modules combine windows with lenses, filters and mechanical interfaces under defined alignment and functional inspection requirements.

Custom Optical Windows FAQs

Q What types of custom optical windows does Band Optics manufacture?

A Band Optics manufactures flat, wedged, protective and infrared windows in round, rectangular and customer-defined formats. Material, thickness, surface tolerances, edge features and coating are reviewed for each project.
Q Can you manufacture optical windows directly from our drawing?

A Yes. Provide the controlled drawing or specification with material, dimensions, thickness, flatness, transmitted wavefront, parallelism or wedge, clear aperture, surface quality, coating and quantity.
Q What is the difference between surface flatness and transmitted wavefront?

A Flatness describes deviation of an individual polished surface. Transmitted wavefront measures the combined optical effect of both surfaces, thickness variation and material homogeneity through the finished window.
Q What is the difference between a parallel and wedged window?

A A parallel window limits the angle between its surfaces, while a wedged window intentionally introduces a defined angle to separate reflections or reduce etalon effects. The wedge direction and datum must be specified.
Q Which materials are available for custom windows?

A Options include optical glass, fused silica, sapphire, CaF2, MgF2, silicon, ZnSe, ZnS and selected technical glasses. Final selection depends on wavelength, environment, dimensions, finish and coating compatibility.
Q Can optical windows receive AR, DLC or ITO coatings?

A AR, broadband, laser, infrared protective and selected conductive coatings can be evaluated. The substrate, wavelength, AOI, polarization, exposure side and environmental requirements must be defined.
Q Can Band Optics manufacture thin or large optical windows?

A The handbook presents flat-optics category references up to approximately 650 × 650 mm and 0.2–100 mm thickness, but these limits do not apply equally to every material, geometry and tolerance. Required dimensions must be reviewed with the complete specification.
Q How are custom optical windows inspected?

A Inspection can include dimensions, thickness, TTV, flatness, transmitted wavefront, parallelism or wedge, surface quality, roughness and spectral coating measurements using the method agreed during drawing review.

Submit Your Optical Window Requirements

Tell us what optical windows you need and how we can contact you.

INFORMATION TO INCLUDE:

window type, material, dimensions, thickness, quantity, wavelength, flatness or transmitted wavefront, parallelism or wedge, surface quality, coating and inspection documentation.

If a drawing, prescription or test requirement is available, mention it in the requirements. Band Optics will follow up by email to obtain the file and confirm manufacturability.

We have a highly skilled team that continues to design innovative new products as well as create cost-effective solutions to meet specifications, timelines and budgets.

CONTACT INFO

Tel: +86-159-5177-5819

Email: sales@nj-optics.com

Address: Industrial Park, No. 52 Tianyuan East Ave. Nanjing City, 211100, China

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