Super Hemisphere Dome

Description

The Super Hemisphere Dome is a high-precision spherical cap optical component with a height exceeding that of a standard hemisphere (h > 0.5R). Under ideal optical conditions, when the object point is located at the center of curvature, the structure can eliminate spherical aberration.

It enables an ultra-wide field of view exceeding 180°, allowing light to enter not only from the front hemisphere but also from lateral and partially rearward angles, while still being efficiently captured by internal sensors.

ECOPTIK is capable of manufacturing super hemisphere domes with a height exceeding 55% of the radius, meeting advanced optical system integration requirements.

Optical Performance

• Spherical Aberration: Eliminated at center-of-curvature condition

• Field of View (FOV): > 180° ultra-wide angle

• Light Incidence: Supports lateral and near-rear incidence angles

• Function: Wide-angle imaging / IR transmission window / EO system front element

Design & Engineering Considerations

1. Aberration Characteristics

• No spherical aberration at central object position

• Practical systems require compensation for:

• Field curvature

• Astigmatism from downstream optics

• Recommended: integrated co-design with full optical system

2. Refractive Index Selection

Refractive index (n) is a key design parameter affecting ray propagation and image position.

Material selection must ensure correct optical path control and system-level imaging alignment.

Typical infrared-grade materials include:

• Sapphire

• ZnS / ZnSe

• Silicon (Si)

Visible and broadband materials include:

• N-BK7 / N-BK10

• K9 (CDGM)

• JGS1 / Fused silica

• Corning 7980

• Borofloat 33

• MgF₂

3. Manufacturing Complexity

Super hemisphere geometry requires high-end optical fabrication capabilities, including:

• Full-aperture spherical profile control

• High-precision polishing across curved surfaces

• Strict thickness uniformity control

• Edge geometry consistency

• Stable coating performance on complex curvature

Specifications

• Material Options:
  K9 (CDGM), Sapphire, Si, MgF₂, N-BK7, N-BK10, Corning 7980, JGS1, Borofloat 33, ZnSe, ZnS, etc.

• Diameter Range: 6 mm – 350 mm

• Thickness Range: 0.5 mm – 30 mm

• Thickness Tolerance:
  ±0.1 mm (standard) / up to ±0.02 mm (precision grade)

• Surface Quality (Scratch/Dig):
  60/40, 40/20, 20/10, 10/5

• Surface Accuracy (Fringe):
  10(5) – 3(0.5)

• Coating:
  Anti-Reflection (AR) coating or customized coatings available upon request

Applications

• Electro-optical systems (EO/IR)

• Infrared imaging and sensing systems

• Aerospace optical assemblies

• Wide-angle surveillance systems

• Scientific and industrial optical instruments

• Outdoor high-dynamic optical devices

Manufacturing Capacity

ECOPTIK annual production capacity: over 300,000 pcs