Critical parameters for grinding large sapphire window panels

Joseph R. Bashe; Gene Dempsey; Ikerionwu A. Akwani; Keith T. Jacoby; Douglas L. Hibbard

doi:10.1117/12.720129

2 May 2007 Critical parameters for grinding large sapphire window panels

Joseph R. Bashe, Gene Dempsey, Ikerionwu A. Akwani, Keith T. Jacoby, Douglas L. Hibbard

Proceedings Volume 6545, Window and Dome Technologies and Materials X; 654517 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.720129
Event: Defense and Security Symposium, 2007, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Advances in optical manufacturing and testing technologies for sapphire material are required to support the increasing use of large-aperture sapphire panels as windscreens for various electro-optical system applications. Single surface grinding is a crucial process step in both the figuring and finishing of optical components. Improper grinding can make subsequent polishing operations more difficult and time consuming. Poor grinding can also lead to the introduction of surface stress and sub-surface damage which can affect critical opto-mechanical performance characteristics such as strength and durability. Initial efforts have been completed at Exotic Electro-Optics under the funding of the Office of Naval Research and the Air Force Research Laboratory to investigate a number of process enhancements in the grinding of a-plane sapphire panels. The information gained from this study will ultimately provide a better understanding of the overall manufacturing process leading to optimized process time and cost. EEO has completed two sets of twelve-run Plackett-Burman designs of experiment (DOE) to study the effects of fundamental grinding parameters on sapphire panel surfaces. The relative importance of specific process parameters on window characteristics including surface roughness, stress, sub-surface damage are reported.

Citation Download Citation

Joseph R. Bashe, Gene Dempsey, Ikerionwu A. Akwani, Keith T. Jacoby, and Douglas L. Hibbard "Critical parameters for grinding large sapphire window panels", Proc. SPIE 6545, Window and Dome Technologies and Materials X, 654517 (2 May 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.720129

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