The UKAEA’s Special Techniques Group has developed new optical viewport technology that claims to reduce optical distortion by up to 75 percent. This group, originally established to address unique manufacturing challenges related to fusion energy development, has now expanded its focus to include a range of industries and applications.
Their diffusion bonding process allows for precise assembly and secure joining of optical materials like fused silica, quartz, sapphire, and diamond to various metals such as stainless steel and titanium. This technology has been funded through the UK Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT) – Knowledge Asset Grant Fund, which enabled the team to collaborate with Frazer Nash Consultancy on developing new modeling tools and evaluating multiple viewport design options.
Users of optical viewports emphasized the importance of optical flatness in reducing distortion of measurements and appreciated the group’s custom engineering capabilities for creating viewport shapes that fit specific instruments like microscopes and magnets. In response to this feedback, the Group developed a new technology that significantly reduces optical distortion compared to the baseline design.
Tim Bestwick, Deputy CEO for the UKAEA, highlighted that the challenges of fusion research have pushed the Special Techniques Group to develop optical viewports that can operate under extreme conditions with minimal optical distortion. The team has successfully utilized these viewports in fusion experiments and plans to design ultra-low distortion optical viewports for the next generation of quantum computers and sensors. These new designs will be available for various sectors and global markets, including aerospace, beam-line science, and high-power laser applications.
Overall, this new technology is a significant advancement in addressing manufacturing challenges effectively across various industries and applications.
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