Optical Glass for Laser Systems – Optical Glass (CTE 7.1 x 10^-6 /K, 350 nm – 2.0 um). No minimum order; DFM review included with every RFQ.
What optical glass for laser systems actually buys from a glass shop: windows, beam splitters, debris shields. The requirement underneath is high damage-threshold optics with certified surfaces. Optical Glass is the fit here because it offers certified refractive index and dispersion.
The numbers
| Material | Optical Glass (N-BK7, H-K9L and filter glass sets) |
|---|---|
| Thermal expansion (CTE) | 7.1 x 10^-6 /K |
| Service temperature | 400 C (Tg 557 C) |
| Transmission range | 350 nm – 2.0 um |
| Density | 2.51 g/cm3 |
| Knoop hardness | 610 kg/mm2 |
| Refractive index | 1.5168 @ 587 nm |
| Stock thickness | 0.30 – 50 mm |
| Maximum blank size | 300 mm diameter |
| RFQ inputs | PDF/DXF/STEP drawing, quantity brackets, surface and edge spec |
Specification advice
Three items decide most of the cost and lead time on this work:
- Material note: index-certified blanks must be oriented and serialized through the shop to keep melt traceability.
- 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.
For the complete framework, see the tolerance design guide and the holes and edges design guide.
What the process holds
Beyond this page, Optical Glass routinely runs through coring, etching, dicing, polishing in our shop – most real parts combine two or three of these steps.
Who orders this
Orders for optical glass for laser systems cluster in optical sensors (sensor windows, filter caps, lens covers); machine vision (camera windows, ring-light diffusers, calibration plates); laser systems (windows, beam splitters, debris shields). Background reading on the underlying material science: RP Photonics: optical glass.
Dimensions still moving? Configure this part live in the 3D + 2D builder below, or open the full custom glass machining 3D + 2D builder to start from a blank canvas.
For adjacent specifications, see beam splitter glass, laser glass cutting, glass sandblasting.
Common questions
Is there a minimum order for optical glass for laser systems?
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.
What files do you need for a quote?
A dimensioned PDF plus DXF or STEP geometry. If only a sketch exists, our drawing review service formalizes it before quoting.
Do parts ship with inspection data?
Dimensional reports, surface certificates and material certs per melt are available; specify the level on the RFQ.
Specifications on this page were last reviewed by our engineering team in September 2026.