Custom fabricated sapphire optics that can replace CaF2 or MgF2 and other softer optical materials in applications from the UV to IR are available from Meller Optics Inc., Providence, R.I.
These optics can be custom-fabricated as plano-convex, plano-concave, and meniscus lenses, windows, mirrors, and waveplates in sizes from 1/4 to 10 inch dia. and 1/2 mm to 1 inch thick. Featuring Moh 9 hardness which is second only to diamond, sapphire transmits from the UV to IR for applications where CaF2, MgF2 , germanium, silicon, and quartz are too soft.
Providing up to 85% transmission uncoated from the UV to IR, Meller Sapphire optics can also be supplied with various types of A/R coatings for enhancing transmission to >99%. In addition to superior hardness, sapphire optics are chemically inert and can have surface finishes to 10-5 scratch-dig while holding flatness to 1/10th wave and parallelism to 2 arc-sec.