UKAEA develops advanced viewport technology for fusion and quantum physics applications

Optical viewports are specially-designed windows that provide optical access to the kind of high-vacuum systems used in atomic research. They enable scientists to directly observe processes and also perform actions such as applying lasers to manipulate atoms.  

The new viewport technology – which is claimed to reduce optical distortion by up to 75 per cent – was developed by the UKAEA’s Special Techniques Group, a division originally set up to address some of the unique manufacturing challenges presented by the development of fusion energy.

The group’s diffusion bonding process allows the precision assembly and high integrity joining of optical materials like fused silica, quartz, sapphire, and diamond to a variety of metals such as stainless steel and titanium.

Funded through the UK Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT) – Knowledge Asset Grant Fund – the new technology builds on the findings of Project Solace, an initiative focused on gathering expert feedback from optical viewport users.