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SAPPHIRE TECHNOLOGY

A crystal platform
for demanding systems.

Synthetic sapphire is single-crystal aluminium oxide engineered for optical, electronic, thermal and structural applications.

THE MATERIAL

Performance through crystal control

Sapphire’s combination of hardness, optical transmission, thermal stability, electrical insulation and chemical resistance supports applications where ordinary glass, polymers or metals may be unsuitable.

Cored sapphire ingot and sliced blank
Cored sapphire ingot and sliced blank
Sapphire ingot and crystal pieces
Sapphire ingot and crystal pieces

Photographed at the AEIM factory.

Optical

Transparent components and windows for selected wavelength and operating requirements.

Mechanical

Hard, wear-resistant surfaces for protective and precision applications.

Thermal

Material stability for elevated-temperature and thermally demanding environments.

Electrical

Insulating substrates for semiconductor and electronic applications.

Chemical

Resistance suited to selected process, sensing and analytical environments.

CRYSTAL ORIENTATION

Configured for the application

C-plane, A-plane, R-plane and M-plane orientations, together with off-axis requirements, may be assessed against the intended device, optical or mechanical function. Final orientation, geometry, tolerances and surface specification are established through technical review.

CRYSTAL GROWTH

Two growth platforms

AEIM grows single-crystal sapphire in-house by two processes, selected according to the form the finished product requires.

Diagram of Czochralski crystal growth: a seed crystal drawn from the melt forms a cylindrical boule
Czochralski (CZ)A seed crystal is drawn slowly from the alumina melt while rotating, forming a cylindrical boule for ingots and wafers.
Diagram of Edge-defined Film-fed Growth: crystal pulled through a shaping die into near-net forms
Edge-defined Film-fed Growth (EFG)The crystal is pulled through a shaping die, producing near-net forms such as ribbons, sheets, tubes and rods.

GROWTH & SURFACE

From boule to qualified surface

Crystal-growth selection and the subsequent sequence of coring, slicing, grinding, lapping, polishing, cleaning and inspection determine the geometry and surface condition of the finished product. An epitaxy-ready surface is prepared to an agreed cleanliness, flatness and finish specification; it is not a substitute for customer qualification.