Spinel domes with integrated electromagnetic interference protection

Magnesium aluminate spinel is a durable electro-optical material with high visible through mid-IR transmission. Technology Assessment and Transfer (TA and T) reports on their efforts to integrate electromagnetic interference protection into spinel domes through the use of metallic grids. TA and T is developing an approach to embed noble metal EMI grids in spinel domes by encapsulating the grid with a germanate glass that has matching refractive index and coefficient of thermal expansion to spinel. Achievements to date and an outlook on this method as a viable manufacturing route are presented.