CF Flanged Sapphire Viewports

All viewports are fragile and should be handled and mounted with extreme caution. Never scratch the viewing area-a weakened viewport may implode (or explode under wrong conditions). Make sure the "glass" chosen has a reasonable transmission at the wavelengths of interest.

For safety, we strongly recommend that no viewport is exposed to a temperature ramp of greater than 2-3°C per minute, and that no viewport be exposed to direct thermal radiation. To limit thermal gradients when heating viewports, we recommend the viewing area and the flange be covered with many layers of aluminum foil to act as a reflective shield.

CAUTION: Although sapphire has a reasonable thermal conductivity, for safety, we strongly recommend that no viewport is exposed to a temperature ramp of greater than 2-3°C per minute, and that no viewport be exposed to direct thermal radiation. To limit thermal gradients when heating viewports, we recommend the viewing area and the flange be covered with many layers of aluminum foil to act as a reflective shield.