SAPPHCOM

APPLICATIONS OF SYNTHETIC SAPPHIRE

How our customers are using synthetic sapphire.

medical technology

In medical technology, sapphire is primarily used for optical applications, mostly sapphire windows and sapphire lenses. But also mechanical applications have been realized with sapphire already.

Typical applications for sapphire optics in medical technology include:

  • Optical fibers
  • Endoscope lenses
  • Protective windows for endoscopic cameras
  • Coated windows for dermatological lasers
  • UV sterilization of medical and dental instruments

In addition to optical applications, sapphire is also used for mechanical purposes in medical technology:

  • For medical instruments (e.g. scalpels)
  • In the latest hair transplantation techniques, instead of steel blades (Sapphire Tip FUE Technique)
  • In dentistry, for example, transparent brackets made of sapphire instead of steel, plastic, or ceramic

optics & photonics

Due to its high refractive index, broad-band transparency, and chemical and physical stability, sapphire is also used in many other optical applications in nanophotonics and optoelectronic devices in the form of windows and lenses.

  • Substrate material in UV-B and UV-C lamps
  • Substrate material for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), e.g., for gallium nitride (GaN)-based LED structures
  • Substrate material for laser diodes
  • Substrate material for various types of photodetectors, e.g., silicon carbide (SiC) and avalanche photodiodes (APDs)

MEASUREMENT & ANALYSIS TECHNOLOGY

Due to the increasing requirements for process analysis, such as high temperatures in chemically aggressive environments, sapphire is a suitable material in terms of optical and mechanical requirements in measurement and analysis technology.

  • Sapphire optics in spectrometers
  • Sapphire optics in refractometers
  • Sapphire optics in pyrometers
  • Sapphire optics in photometers
  • Calibration standards for length measuring devices like dilatometers, for example

science

In scientific research, special customizations for prototypes and experimental setups are often requested by universities and research institutes.

We have supplied our customers with the following customizations:

    • Precision substrates and optics for measurement setups
    • Sapphire windows for high-pressure applications
    • Sapphire components for vacuum measurement cells
    • Prototyping for research projects at universities

AEROSPACE & AVIATION

Sapphire finds numerous applications in the aerospace industry due to its outstanding mechanical, thermal, and optical properties.

  • Cockpit and sensor windows: Sapphire windows are used in aircraft and spacecraft cockpits as well as in sensors for navigation systems. Sapphire’s high transparency enables clear visibility and reliable sensor functionality.
  • Structural components: Due to its exceptional hardness and strength, technical sapphire is used in structural components such as bearings, bushings, and bearing sleeves. These components must withstand the extreme conditions of space and ensure long-term durability.
  • Heat-conducting components: Sapphire is also used in heat-conducting components such as heat sinks and thermal plates to improve heat dissipation in electronic systems. This is particularly important for cooling electronic components in spacecraft to ensure their proper functioning.
  • Protective covers for sensors and cameras: Sapphire is used as a protective cover for sensors, cameras, and optical instruments in spacecraft. Its high hardness and scratch resistance protect sensitive components from damage by space dust and micrometeoroids.
  • Communication satellites: Sapphire windows are used in high-power lasers and communication systems in communication satellites. The high optical quality of sapphire ensures reliable transmission of laser beams and electromagnetic signals in space.

WATCHMAKING & JEWELRY INDUSTRY

Technical sapphire is used in the watchmaking and jewelry industry due to its hardness, scratch resistance, and transparency.

  • Watch crystals
  • Watch cases
  • Gemstones

For which application are you considering sapphire?

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