Hermetically Sealed Optical Window Technology by Tekna Seal and FloMet
Hermetically sealed optical window technology delivers revolutionary results - developed through a new combination of Metal Injection Molded materials coupled with superior glass to metal sealing process.
Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) March 10, 2005 -- http://www.teknaseal.com – Tekna Seal LLC, a custom
manufacturer of glass to metal seals and ceramic to metal seals, and FloMet LLC
today announce a new joint capability to make hermetically sealed optical
windows using glass designed specifically for optical applications. The
significance of this new process is that for the first time manufacturers of
optical systems can now create hermetically sealed packages using the highest
quality optical glass. The new process eliminates the compromise between the
reliability of the seal or degrading the image quality due to thermal expansion
mismatches between the bonded materials.
Tekna Seal’s oxide-free glass
sealing process delivers improved optical windows that are used to protect
cameras, photo detectors and imaging semiconductors such as CCD, CMOS and
optical MEMS devices used in applications such as high definition television
-HDTV. The helium leak rates of the hermetically sealed optical windows are well
below current industry standards. Low leak rates are obtained using the Tekna
Seal oxide-free process and provide the best protection available from
contamination such as hydrocarbons or moisture thus extending the life of such
optical window devices.
Until now, optical designers were faced with the
choice between using substandard glass or tolerating stresses induced by the
coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between the glasses and metals
available. FloMet has leveraged its ability to create custom Metal Injection
Molded (MIM) feedstocks designed with a specific CTE matching the glass selected
for desired optical properties. This capability, in conjunction with Tekna
Seal’s oxide-free glass sealing process, allows for a wider range of glass
materials to be sealed as compared to conventional glass to metal sealing
processes.
“While controlled expansion alloys have been commercially
available for more than 100 years, the key benefits of using MIM controlled
expansion alloys are that they can be tailored to accurate and repeatable CTE
specs and made in smaller batch sizes unlike conventional wrought alloys. This
allows us to be flexible and responsive to the development of new material
combinations for optical windows,” said Arlan Clayton, president of Tekna Seal
and FloMet.
The direct glass-to-MIM seals provided by Tekna Seal and
FloMet have considerable cost advantages as well as significantly lower helium
leak rates when compared to conventional hermetic sealing methods. The windows
are optically configured after the sealing process which, in combination with
CTE matched MIM alloys, provides the absolute lowest stress joint in a true
hermetically sealed window.
To find out more about Hermetically Sealed
Optical Window Technology please visit http://www.teknaseal.com/optical_windows.html or contact Tekna
Seal at 763-574-1613
About Tekna Seal LLC
Tekna Seal, located in
Minneapolis, is a custom manufacturer of glass to metal and ceramic to metal
seals used for vacuum tight electrical feedthroughs used in sensors, battery
terminals, and electronic packages. A proprietary hermetic sealing process
provides seals with lower leak rates than industry standards, and a wider range
of material choices that can be sealed. http://www.teknaseal.com
About FloMet LLC
FloMet,
headquartered in DeLand, FL, is a custom manufacturer of precision specialty
alloy components utilizing their proprietary metal injection molding technology.
Major markets served are orthodontal appliances, disposable medical devices,
soft magnetic parts, fuel cell components, and hermetic package system hardware.
www.flomet.us
The
information contained within this document has been disclosed in a pending
patent filed by Tekna Seal LLC with the U.S. Patent Office.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/3/prweb216594.htm