Reduced-Cost Grinding and Polishing of Large Sapphire Windows Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Topic No.: N112-105 Topic Title: Reduced-Cost Grinding and Polishing of Large Sapphire Windows Proposal No.: N112-105-1132 Firm: Sinmat Inc 2153 SE Hawthorne Road GTEC Center, Suite 129, Box 2 Gainesville, Florida 32641-7533 Contact: Deepika Singh Phone: (352) 334-7237 Web Site: www.sinmat.com Abstract: Sinmat Inc., in collaboration with Exotic Electro-Optics, Inc. proposes to investigate grinding and polishing of large sapphire windows using slurries based on unique nanoporous silica particles. Due to light transparency and high mechanical hardness and inertness, sapphire window materials find immense application in reconnaissance, navigation, surveillance, and thermal imaging systems used in submarines, tanks, missiles, helicopters, fighter jets and electro-optical targeting systems. Sinmat proposes to develop a chemical mechanical polishing process that will deliver low-cost, high-throughput fabrication of sapphire windows. The optical fabrication and performance testing of these windows will be carried out by Exotic Electro-Optics, Inc., a subsidiary of II-VI, Inc. Benefits: The proposed effort will lead to large scale, affordable, volume production of defect and damage-free, sapphire windows. These windows will be used in cutting-edge applications such as state-of-the-art infrared optics, coatings and assemblies for aerospace, defense, and commercial markets. The availability of cheaper submarines, tanks, missiles, helicopters, and fighter jets will lead to immense cost savings for the US Department of Defense, while at the same time provide enhanced National Security. Return