Custom Sapphire Dome

Custom Sapphire Dome

Custom Sapphire Dome Manufacturer

Subsea Sapphire Hemispherical Dome | High Pressure & Seawater Resistant | EO/IR Sensor Protection

Felix Glass fabricates custom single-crystal sapphire domes for deep subsea ROV, marine camera, aerospace, airborne gimbal and rugged multi-sensor systems. Sapphire’s Mohs 9 hardness, excellent pressure endurance and seawater stability make it the premium choice for long-lifetime underwater optical housings. AR, DLC and combined AR+DLC coatings are available.

Felix Glass custom sapphire hemispherical dome for subsea ROV, underwater camera and aerospace EO IR systems

Sapphire Hemispherical Dome | Single Crystal Sapphire
OEM Manufacturing | AR / DLC Coating | Subsea Custom Specifications

Material & Grade Overview

Single-crystal sapphire (Al₂O₃) is the gold-standard dome material for deep subsea and high-reliability optical systems. It transmits UV, visible and near/mid-wave infrared up to ~5μm, with unmatched scratch resistance, seawater corrosion resistance and thermal shock stability. Unlike CVD ZnS, sapphire is not susceptible to moisture degradation, making it ideal for continuous underwater deployment. Material substrate does not equal final performance grade. Specify crystal orientation, operating depth, wavelength band and coating for accurate quotation.

Key Specifications & Custom Options

Substrate Material Single Crystal Sapphire (Al₂O₃)
Shape Hemispherical dome, partial dome, plano-convex dome, custom radius & flange
Size Range Dia 10mm‑350mm, custom wall thickness, O-ring groove and flange profile
Surface Quality 20‑10 /40‑20 scratch‑dig, customized per customer drawing
Working Wavelength Band 0.2–5.0μm, UV / Vis / NIR / MWIR broadband transmission
Coating Options Uncoated, UV AR, VIS-NIR AR, MWIR AR, DLC hard coating, AR+DLC combined
Custom Machining Flange machining, O-ring groove, stepped edge, chamfer, pressure matched dome design
Inspection Interferometer, spectrophotometer, hydrostatic pressure test optional, material certificate available

Manufacturing & Inspection Evidence

ZYGO interferometer inspection for sapphire dome

Interferometer Inspection

Precision polishing for sapphire hemispherical dome

Precision Polishing

Finished custom sapphire dome for subsea camera

Finished Sapphire Dome

All sapphire domes are inspected for surface figure, transmission and scratch-dig. Hydrostatic pressure testing is available to validate rated subsea depth.

Typical Application

  • Deep subsea ROV, underwater camera, underwater LiDAR and marine sensor housings
  • Aerospace, airborne gimbal, EO/IR multi-sensor turret payloads
  • Harsh coastal, sandy, corrosive environment optical protection
  • UV, visible and MWIR multi-spectral observation systems

Coating Selection Guide

Wavelength-matched AR coating maximizes light transmission for your camera or sensor. DLC coating delivers superior scratch resistance and moisture barrier for marine and salt-spray environments. AR+DLC combined coating is the top recommendation for subsea sapphire domes, balancing high optical throughput and long service life. Learn more about infrared optical coating technology.

Order & Quotation Requirements (Valid RFQ Checklist)

To generate an accurate quotation within 24 hours, please prepare below information:

  • 2D/3D engineering drawing (PDF / STEP / IGES preferred)
  • C-axis crystal orientation requirement
  • Operating depth / pressure rating, dome radius, wall thickness, flange & O-ring specs
  • Coating specification and target working wavelength
  • Quantity: prototype sample / pilot batch / mass‑production volume
Send Drawing For Quote

FAQ Snippets

Sapphire dome vs ZnS dome for underwater use?

Sapphire is the preferred subsea dome. ZnS absorbs moisture and degrades under seawater exposure. Sapphire is seawater inert, high hardness and pressure-resistant, but it cannot cover 8–14μm LWIR thermal band.

Can sapphire dome work for 8–14μm LWIR thermal imaging?

No. Sapphire transmission cuts off near 5μm. For pure LWIR thermal 8–14μm, CVD ZnS dome is the correct material choice.

Can you custom design sapphire dome to meet a specific depth rating?

Yes. We optimize wall thickness, radius and flange geometry according to your target hydrostatic pressure, and optional pressure test certification is available.

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