The Ideal Vacuum illuminated HALO View Window System (IHVW) is a popular accessory for chamber systems with ISO ports. The window takes the place of an ISO blank and can be added to a system at any time. The IHVW has a built in LED light ring which lights the chamber and allows a user to more readily inspect processes and perform experiments. LED brightness is manually controlled by onboard (+) and (-) pushbuttons. There are 6 manually adjusted brightness settings, from off to 100% in 20% increments. The last brightness setting is retained if the power supply is unplugged or turned off. A universal 24 VDC power supply (100-240 VAC input) is included, and comes with interchangeable plugs for most countries. To use, plug the output cable into the window’s connector and plug the power supply into house power. The design of the illuminated HALO View window does not allow the pane to be replaced or upgraded in the field.

Our high purity fused silica windows are ground and polished to optical grade on both sides with a total thickness variation (TTV) of <10µm, a surface finish of S/D 40/20, and a surface roughness of Ra < 1 nm. These windows have appreciably improved transmittance, and a wider useful wavelength range than standard glass. Characteristics include extraordinarily low refractive index variations, low birefringence values, and an ultra-low thermal expansion coefficient. Fused silica is used for transmissive optics where a high laser damage threshold is required. Fused silica is used for optics operating in the deep UV, visible, and the near infrared wavelength range.

We also offer HALO View Window assemblies with standard low-iron tempered glass. It has a surface quality and flatness of Q4 per ASTM 1036-06 and 1048-04. This glass exhibits a slight blueish tint. It is the more economical window material we offer and is most commonly used for general, direct observation of roughing or high-vacuum chamber processes and can be used to facilitate optical alignments of chamber components, observe degassing of fluids, or used to help teach in-vacuo processes by direct observation. This economical glass is not suitable for high power laser experiments.

Please see the graph below for the transmissivity curves of tempered glass and fused silica:

Illuminated HALO View windows are available in ISO-100, 160, 200 and 250 flange sizes. These ISO-K flanged windows use either single or double claw clamps along with a centering ring fitted with an O-ring for mounting. Use double claw clamps to mount to other ISO-K flanges. Use single claw clamps to mount to ISO-F flanges with bolt holes (smooth bored or threaded). See the table below for claw clamps and centering rings.

Our ISO viewing windows employ an innovative, zero metal-to-glass contact design that holds the 3/8” thick window pane to a stainless steel mounting flange. This cushioned window mounting system ensures operator safety and is less prone to leakage than other viewport window configurations, even at high-vacuum pressures. Ideal Vacuum ISO-K HALO View non-illuminated windows are delivered fully assembled and use Viton O-rings and Teflon spacers. Bakeout temperatures to 150 °C are permissible.

NOTE: All viewing windows or ports are inherently fragile, should be handled carefully, and always inspected before use. Ideal Vacuum viewing windows are designed and rated for VACUUM ONLY and can be susceptible to thermal shock if exposed to rapid temperature changes (>10° C /min). If directing a laser beam through the window, make sure the laser’s wavelength can be reasonably transmitted through the window’s material. Illuminated HALO Viewports are not field serviceable. Please contact Ideal Vacuum if you need to replace the tempered glass or upgrade it to a fused silica window. Please download and read all the safety warnings in the Illuminated HALO Viewport Window User Manual.