Optical Domes: Design, Applications, and Custom Solutions

Optical domes, also known as dome windows, are sophisticated optical components engineered for superior performance in imaging systems. These high-precision elements are vital for applications demanding clarity and durability, and their unique design allows them to excel in challenging environments.

Optical domes are specialized protection windows with a distinct dome shape, designed to enhance light transmission and optical performance. Unlike flat optical ports, domes feature a curved surface that minimizes distortion and maximizes field of view. Made from resilient materials such as sapphire, fused silica, and BK7 glass, these components safeguard sensitive optical instruments while delivering exceptional clarity.

Optical Dome

Design Principles

To achieve optimal performance, the design of optical domes must address several critical factors:

• Material Choice: Selecting materials with the right optical and mechanical properties is essential. The material must offer high optical clarity, appropriate refractive index, and durability.
• Anti-Reflective Coatings: Coatings applied to optical domes reduce reflection losses and enhance light transmission, contributing to improved optical performance.
• Curvature Design: The curvature of the dome affects its optical characteristics, including field of view and image distortion. Accurate design is crucial for balancing these factors to meet application-specific needs.
• Mounting and Sealing: Proper techniques for mounting and sealing are vital to protect the enclosed optical system from contamination and damage, ensuring its reliability.
• Environmental Resilience: Domes often operate in extreme conditions, such as underwater or in aerospace applications. The design must account for factors like pressure resistance, temperature stability, and abrasion resistance.

Optical Dome Design

Optical Dome Design with Zemax

Key Applications

1. Surveillance and Security: Security cameras and surveillance systems use optical domes to defend against vandalism and environmental conditions, ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of these systems.
2. Underwater Imaging Systems: In underwater environments, light refraction can distort images. Optical domes address this by smoothing the transition between water and air, reducing distortion and preserving image quality.
3. Wide-View Cameras and Detectors: Optical domes protect camera lenses and detectors, shielding them from damage and reducing surface reflections. Their curved design improves optical efficiency, particularly for wide-angle applications.
4. Scientific Instruments: Telescopes, spectrographs, and other scientific devices benefit from optical domes, which help maintain precision and clarity in various observational and measurement tasks.
5. Aerospace and Defense: Used in aircraft, drones, and missiles, optical domes ensure clear and reliable performance for surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting systems, all while providing robust protection for onboard sensors and cameras.

A CCTV camera with motion detection in a warehouse

Custom Optical Domes Solutions

Shanghai Optics specializes in creating custom optical domes to meet diverse requirements. Our offerings include UV fused silica, BK7, germanium, ZnSe, sapphire, and IR domes. Rather than providing a fixed catalog, we work closely with clients to tailor solutions, recommending the best substrates, coatings, and designs for their specific needs.

Contact Shanghai Optics today! We’d be more than happy to discuss your projects and how to best bring them to fruition.