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 – 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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Contact: Doug McCarron
VP of Operations
Tekna Seal, LLC
763-574-1613
dmccarron@teknaseal.com
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