The Aerospace Corporation

Daniel H Platus

Richard P Welle

Paul M Adams

A sapphire window is laser edge tested using a CO.sub.2 laser spot illuminating along a path following the periphery of the optical surface of the window so as to diffuse heat towards the edges which may crack and fail if defective with subsurface defects which are likely to cause stress fractures when stressed.

Method for thermally testing with a laser the edge of a sapphire window

A sapphire window is laser edge annealed using a CO.sub.2 laser spot illuminating along a path following the edge of the window so as to heat the edges to remove or reduce sub surface defects which can cause stress fractures.

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Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, United States of America

Daniel H Platus