Surmet Engineering Better Material Solutions

Surmet's newly developed SUPERSPINEL™ is a robust solution providing higher MWIR transmission than Sapphire.

SUPERSPINEL™ is made through solid-state sinter and HIP processes, similar to Surmet's ALON®. These processes yield a high strength product without the grain boundary weaknesses known to occur in LiF hot-pressed spinel. Surmet's robust, vertically-integrated process (from SUPERSPINEL™ powders synthesized in-house to precision optical finishing) provides excellent optical quality with no inclusions.

Surmet’s SUPERSPINEL™ is a highly durable polycrystalline ceramic with optical transparency from the near ultraviolet through the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) spectrum. Surmet is developing this material in the form of blanks and finished optics components using its own proprietary processes. Target applications include Infrared optics such as domes, lenses, sensor windows, reconnaissance windows, etc.

Surmet’s SUPERSPINEL™ Optical Ceramic

• Optically transparent from near-ultraviolet through mid-wave infrared frequencies with mid-IR transmittance comparable to that of sapphire
• Can be produced in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and thicknesses
• Fabricated using proven ceramic processing techniques
• Ideal material for precision optical components

Comparison of Transmission

SUPERSPINEL™ transmits out further into the MWIR than both the ALON® Optical Ceramic and Sapphire.