Viewport design and manufacture | UKAEA Fusion Energy

Flange: 100CF
Metal: Stainless steel 316L
Optic: Fused silica
Aperture: 73mm

Overview

Our viewports feature a proprietary aluminium interlayer diffusion bonding technique that is used as the joining medium between the optic and its mount. The relatively thick, compliant aluminium joint isolates the delicate optical component from the stresses of manufacture and of subsequent operation at high temperatures. This innovative technology gives our viewports a unique advantage for their combination of high operating temperature, low distortion, low outgassing, and low leak rate.

These advantages have been used by our customers and collaborators in many applications outside fusion, such as space and oil wells based on the high operating temperature, and spectroscopy and atomic traps based on the low leak rate and distortion.

We can combine our diffusion-bonded optics with our vacuum brazing and EB welding processes to design and manufacture fully customisable viewport solutions for nearly any geometry, material, wavelength, and environment.

Use our viewport design request form as a guide for any viewport enquiry. Our versatile team is happy to work with any level of detail from a basic sketch to a detailed specification.

Download our viewport design request form (docx, 1MB)

Over the years, we’ve curated a collection of viewport designs that share common features and are frequently requested, especially in the field of atom trap research. Utilising these established designs can lead to substantial cost savings and shorter lead times.

Explore our catalogue to see if these designs align with your requirements.