Fused Silica for MEMS Devices

Fused Silica for MEMS Devices: Fused Silica, CTE 0.55 x 10^-6 /K. No MOQ, prototypes in 5-10 days, DFM review with every RFQ.

Industry Application July 28, 2026

Fused Silica for MEMS Devices – Fused Silica (CTE 0.55 x 10^-6 /K, 185 nm – 2.5 um). No minimum order; DFM review included with every RFQ.

fused silica for mems devices programs need anodic-bondable wafers with tight TTV. Fused Silica is the fit here because it offers near-zero thermal expansion. Typical parts: cap wafers, TGV substrates, motion-sensor lids.

Specification envelope

Material Fused Silica (JGS1 (UV), JGS2 (standard), JGS3 (IR))
Thermal expansion (CTE) 0.55 x 10^-6 /K
Service temperature 1,100 C continuous
Transmission range 185 nm – 2.5 um
Density 2.20 g/cm3
Knoop hardness 500 kg/mm2
Refractive index 1.458 @ 587 nm
Stock thickness 0.10 – 50 mm
Maximum blank size 450 x 450 mm
RFQ inputs PDF/DXF/STEP drawing, quantity brackets, surface and edge spec

Manufacturing capability

One material, many routes: on Fused Silica we also quote coring, lapping, laser cutting, grinding, and multi-step drawings are the norm rather than the exception.

Design guidance

Before sending the RFQ, check these against your drawing:

  • Material note: its hardness and brittleness demand diamond tooling and controlled feeds.
  • Over-specification is the quiet budget killer: a 20/10 scratch-dig face costs roughly three times an 80/50 face, so grade each surface individually.

The full rules live in our tolerance design guide and holes and edges design guide.

Where these parts end up

Orders for fused silica for mems devices cluster in optical sensors (sensor windows, filter caps, lens covers); aerospace optics (sensor windows, star-tracker flats, radiation-tolerant ports); mems devices (cap wafers, TGV substrates, motion-sensor lids). Background reading on the underlying material science: RP Photonics: fused silica.

The fastest route to a quote is geometry: use the 3D builder below, draw a dimensioned 2D drawing from it, or open the site-wide custom glass machining 3D + 2D builder for fully custom parts.

Engineers scoping this work usually also review material selection guide, fused silica material guide, alkali-free display glass.

Buyer questions, answered

How does Fused Silica behave under heat?

CTE is 0.55 x 10^-6 /K and continuous service reaches 1,100 C continuous, which is what drives its use where near-zero thermal expansion matters.

What do mems devices programs usually order?

Cap wafers, TGV substrates, motion-sensor lids. Typical spec: TTV < 3 um, bow < 20 um, SEMI flats.

Is there a minimum order for fused silica for mems devices?

No. Single prototypes are accepted, and pricing steps down at 10, 100 and 1,000 pieces.

How fast can prototypes ship?

Machined prototypes ship in 5 – 10 working days. Coated or bonded parts add 1 – 2 weeks depending on queue slots.

Specifications on this page were last reviewed by our engineering team in August 2026.

Configure in 3D, draw in 2D

3D Model & 2D Drawing Builder

PRECISION GLASS 3D
3D Precision Glass Configurator Build a visual 3D preview for custom precision glass parts, including wafers, microfluidic chips, coated glass, optical filters, and machined quartz plates. This tool is for visual configuration only. Final dimensions, tolerances, materials, coatings, and manufacturability will be reviewed from your drawing or specification.
3D GLASS PREVIEW Visual Specification

Glass Wafer Builder

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Which fused silica grade should I choose — JGS1, JGS2 or JGS3?

JGS1 offers deep-UV transmission from about 185 nm (best for DUV lithography and UV laser optics). JGS2 transmits well from about 220 nm for standard UV-visible use at lower cost. JGS3 is optimized for visible-to-infrared and high-power laser work. The builder exposes a transmission-band requirement so you can specify the grade by application.

What wafer diameters and thicknesses are supported?

Common diameters are 2, 3, 4 and 6 inch (note 1 inch = 25.0 mm for quartz wafers, so a 4 inch wafer is 100 mm). Typical thicknesses are 200, 500, 700 and 1000 µm, with tighter thickness tolerance and TTV specifiable for polished optical grades.

Can I specify TTV, surface quality and a flat or notch?

Yes. You can set total thickness variation, scratch-dig surface quality (down to 40/20 or 20/10 for optical grade), single- or double-side polish, and a primary flat or notch for orientation.

Need a different product family? Open the full 3D + 2D builder.

Engineering Review

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