Quantitative Analysis of ALON and Spinel Dome Blanks

Multimode seekers are receiving significant attention as a way to provide more capability in the same package. In some cases, both optical and millimeter wave seekers are being combined in a way that requires a common aperture. The requirements for such a system place a tremendous burden on the design and production of the dome. The optical requirements on such domes drive the associated tolerances to a degree that makes these domes very difficult and expensive to produce. The additional requirement to perform inspection polish and characterize ALON and spinel dome blanks prior to final fabrication is further increasing the cost of producing these domes. Surmet has already developed, and utilizes in production a method of screening spinel lens blanks prior to final fabrication. For this Phase I effort, Surmet proposes to improve upon and extend this method to nearly full hemispherical ALON and spinel dome blanks.