Sapphire glass (also known as synthetic sapphire) is a high-performance material used in precision optical applications. Unlike natural sapphire gemstones, synthetic sapphire is widely used in watch glass, optical windows, and infrared applications.
Why Sapphire Glass?
Sapphire and ruby glass have unique material advantages:
Excellent heat resistance
High hardness (resistant to scratches)
Infrared transparency
Strong chemical and electrical stability
Because of these features, sapphire glass is used in:
Watch lenses
Infrared/thermal imaging devices (e.g. night vision cameras)
Military and aerospace optics
High-power laser windows, prisms, and lenses
Observation windows in cryogenic experiments
Measurement Challenges
In production, measuring the thickness and curvature of sapphire lenses is critical.
Common Issues:
Curved surfaces – Need to evaluate if the curvature is within tolerance.
Thickness range – Varies from 5 µm to 3400 µm, especially important at the center point of the lens.
Delicate material – Contact measurement methods may damage the surface or leave contamination.
The Solution: Non-contact Measurement with Hypersen Chromatic Confocal Sensors
Hypersen’s chromatic confocal sensors offer a high-precision, non-contact method for inspecting sapphire glass.
Key Benefits:
High accuracy – Can precisely detect the center thickness
Non-contact measurement – No damage or contamination risk
High speed – Sampling rate up to 7200 Hz
Real-time display – Measurement results shown instantly
Flexible integration – I/O output for in-line quality control
Real Application Example
A watch lens manufacturer uses the Hypersen sensor to:
Measure the center thickness of domed sapphire lenses
Evaluate the curvature to ensure correct shape
Perform automated in-line inspection for real-time pass/fail judgment
