  Vacuum window research continues at Fermilab and this paper will examine cost
effective, consistent designs which can have a huge impact on accelerator
laboratories in terms of safety and cost. Issues such as the design, materials,
analysis, testing and fabrication are addressed, including beam scattering
plots and materials cost-benefit analysis and examining different materials
which can potentially be substitutes for beryllium. A previous research paper
has examined current fabrication and design techniques and also failure modes
at Fermi, and this paper examines previous research in addition to emerging
technologies. Many different paths have been taken by HEP Laboratories
throughout the world with varying success. The history of vacuum window
development is extensive and not well defined, and a matrix of what research
has already been done on materials and joint design for vacuum windows will be
shown. This report finally includes a treatise for vacuum window technology and
a view towards emerging designs and materials and discusses future advances of
research such as fabrication techniques including additive manufacturing and
ultrasonic welding. Further exploration into these would prove beneficial to
developing vacuum windows that are safer and stronger while being more
transparent to the beam.
