Abstract: A system for heat treating sapphire components to increase strength while maintaining the optical finish and/or transparency of the component. The system may include a fixture positioned in a furnace and configured to suspend an array or group of sapphire components. The fixture may include notches or other features to assist in locating and positioning the sapphire components. Shield elements or enclosures may also be interspersed with the sapphire components and may help produce a more uniform heat distribution and protect the sapphire components from emissions or deposits. Some aspects are directed to a sleeve tool and fixture jig that can be used to assemble the sapphire components onto the fixture in a way that reduces the risk of marring or otherwise damaging the sapphire components.

Abstract: A system for heat treating sapphire components to increase strength while maintaining the optical finish and/or transparency of the component. The system may include a fixture positioned in a furnace and configured to suspend an array or group of sapphire components. The fixture may include notches or other features to assist in locating and positioning the sapphire components. Shield elements or enclosures may also be interspersed with the sapphire components and may help produce a more uniform heat distribution and protect the sapphire components from emissions or deposits. Some aspects are directed to a sleeve tool and fixture jig that can be used to assemble the sapphire components onto the fixture in a way that reduces the risk of marring or otherwise damaging the sapphire components.

Abstract: A system and processes for heat treating sapphire components to improve strength while maintaining the optical finish and/or transparency of the component. The processes may include an annealing process that uses an inert gas to reduce potential contaminants and the presence of reactive gasses. The process may also include a multi-stage heating process that may reduce thermally induced stress within the sapphire component which may produce slip lines or other optical defects. The process may also include a series of wet ultrasonic cleaning operations that reduce potential contaminants which may cause optical defects in an annealed sapphire component. An example system, fixtures, and shields are also described, which may improve the quality of the heat-treating process.