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Your Position: Home - Lenses - What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of CaF2 Single Crystal Window

What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of CaF2 Single Crystal Window

Author: Evelyn w

Mar. 24, 2025

Single Crystals Calcium Fluoride(CaF2) - UM OPTICS

Calcium fluoride single crystal refers to the regular and periodic arrangement of the particles inside the crystal in three dimensions. Calcium fluoride single crystal has better consistency and uniformity and can be freely oriented as well as directional. It is suitable for imaging and high power laser products that require high precision, etc. 

RuiQi Optics are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

Our company can supply many specifications of single crystal calcium fluoride blanks and finished products.The shape of the blank contains round, rectangular, drilled, windows, lenses, galvanometers, special shaped etc.

Calcium fluoride(CaF2) crystals are widely used as window, lens, prism, beam splitter and substrate materials from vacuum UV to mid-infrared wavelengths because of their high transmittance and very high laser damage threshold in the deep UV region. High purity calcium fluoride single crystals are good window materials for excimer lasers in the vacuum UV band, and single crystals or hot forged single crystals are window materials for carbon monoxide and chemical lasers.The good optical properties of calcium fluoride crystals in the vacuum band are unmatched by other materials.Calcium fluoride single crystal materials for this band also have the advantages of radiation resistance, high ozone resistance, fluorine corrosion resistance, and low cost.

Coating refers to coating a transparent electrolyte film or metal film on the surface of the substrate material by physical or chemical methods. The purpose is to change the reflection and transmission characteristics of the material surface to reduce or increase the reflection, beam splitting, color separation, light filtering, polarization and other requirements.We can provide various optical coatings such as anti-reflective films, high-reflective films, spectral films, and metallic films. Broadband anti-reflective films are available for UV, visible, NIR and mid-infrared wavelengths.

VIR Grade

'Typical Size'φ80mm×180mm'φ100mm×180mm

'Maximum size'φ400mm×60mm

'Application Wavelength'400nm - 7.6μm

'Crystal Structure'Monocrystalline,Sub-structure,Polycrystalline

'Internal transmittance'>99.0%'10mm thick sample'

'Average stress birefringence'PV 1~30nm/cm@633nm

'Optical uniformity:PV 3 - 50ppm@633nm

'25-125mW green light test without naked eye visible light column, bubbles, 

     scattered particles, etc.

UR Grade

'Typical Size'φ80mm×180mm'φ100mm×180mm

'Maximum size'φ400mm×60mm

'Application Wavelength'200nm - 400nm

'Crystal Structure'Single crystal allows substructure

'Internal transmittance'>99.0%'10mm thick sample'

'Average stress birefringence'PV 1~30nm/cm@633nm

'Optical uniformity:PV 3 - 20ppm@633nm

'No absorption peak at 205nm, absorption peak near 306nm±5nm'0.2%

'25-125mW green light test without naked eye visible light column, bubbles, 

     scattered particles, etc.

VUV Grade

'Application Wavelength'130nm - 200nm

'Crystal Structure'Monocrystalline

'Transmittance' >50% @ 130nm'>80% @ 160nm'>85% @ 200nm

                                     '10mm thick sample'

'Average stress birefringence'PV 1~20nm/cm@633nm

'Optical uniformity:PV 1 - 15ppm@633nm

'25-125mW green light test without naked eye visible light column, bubbles, 

     scattered particles, etc.

IC Tool Grade'ICT Grade

'Application Wavelength'157nm'193nm'248nm'355nm

'Crystal Structure'Monocrystalline

'Internal transmittance' >99.8% @ 355nm'>99.8% @ 248nm'

     >99.7% @193nm'>99.4% @ 157nm,'10mm thick sample'

     No absorption at 205nm and 306nm

'Average stress birefringence'PV 2~10nm/cm@633nm

'Optical uniformity:PV 3 - 20ppm@633nm

'25-125mW green light test without naked eye visible light column, bubbles, 

     scattered particles, etc.

IC Laser Grade'ICL Grade

'Typical metrics are consistent with IC tool Grades

'Laser tolerance: There is no standard available for consultation

'Laser damage threshold: ~7J/cm2 @ 193nm 

Raman Grade

'Application Wavelength'130nm-7.6μm

'Crystal Structure'Monocrystalline

'Internal transmittance' >50% @ 130nm'>80% @ 160nm'

     >85% @ 200nm'10mm thick sample'No absorption at 205nm and 306nm

'Average stress birefringence'PV 2~30nm/cm@633nm

'25-125mW green light test without naked eye visible light column, bubbles, 

     scattered particles, etc.

'Non-fluorescent crystals

Transmittance test

'Inspection equipment

UV-Visible Spectrophotometer

'Samples'

  No scattering calcium fluoride crystals, diameter not less than 20mm, thickness not less than 3mm,through the polished surface finish to 80/50

'Grade

IR Grade

'The transmittance of 400nm and above is higher than 93%, and the transmittance curve of 200nm~400nm may have absorption at 205nm or 306 peak.

Monocrystalline

Are you interested in learning more about CaF2 Single Crystal Window? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

'There are no visible grain boundaries or wicker-like stripes on the crystal surface when examined under naked eye daylight. 

Sub-crystal

'When examined under naked-eye daylight, there are willow stripes on the surface of the crystal with an area < 1/6 (end diameter), and the willow stripes are not visible after polishing . 

Polycrystalline

'When examined under naked-eye daylight, there are penetrating crystal boundary lines on the surface of the crystal, and the difference in the degree of light and darkness between the two sides of the crystal boundary lines is obvious. 

'N-BK7

    N-BK7 is the most commonly used optical glass for processing high quality optical components,, with excellent transmittance from visible to near-infrared wavelengths(350-nm), and has a wide range of applications in telescopes, lasers and other fields. N-BK7 is generally chosen when the additional benefits of UV fused silica (very good transmittance and low coefficient of thermal expansion in the UV band) are not required.

'UV fused silica

     UV fused silica has a high transmission from the UV to NIR  (185-nm).  In addition, UV fused silica has better uniformity and lower coefficient of thermal expansion than H-K9L (N-BK7), making it particularly suitable for high power laser and imaging applications.

'Calcium fluoride

    Due to its high transmittance and low refractive index within a wavelength of 180nm-8um, calcium fluoride is often used as windows and lenses in spectrometers and thermal imaging systems. In addition, it has good applications in excimer lasers because of its high laser damage threshold.

'Barium fluoride

    Barium fluoride have high transmittance from the 200nm-11um and they are resistant to stronger high-energy radiation. At the same time, barium fluoride has excellent scintillation properties and can be made into various infrared and ultraviolet optical components. However, the disadvantage of barium fluoride is that it is less resistant to water. When exposed to water, the performance degrades significantly at 500', but it can be used for applications up to 800' in a dry environment. At the same time, barium fluoride has excellent scintillation properties and can be made into various infrared and ultraviolet optical components.It should be noted that when handling barium fluoride material, gloves must be worn at all times and hands must be washed thoroughly after handling.

'Magnesium fluoride 

    Magnesium fluoride is ideal for applications in the wavelength range of 200nm-6um. Compared to other materials, magnesium fluoride is particularly durable in the deep UV and far IR wavelength ranges. Magnesium fluoride is a powerful material for resistance to chemical corrosion, laser damage, mechanical shock and thermal shock. It is harder than calcium fluoride crystals, but relatively soft compared to fused silica, and has a slight hydrolysis. It has a Nucleus hardness of 415 and a refractive index of 1.38.

'Zinc selenide 

    Zinc selenide has high transmittance in the 600nm-16um and is commonly used in thermal imaging, infrared imaging, and medical systems. Also, due to its low absorption, zinc selenide is particularly suitable for use in high-power CO2 lasers. It should be noted that zinc selenide is a relatively soft material (Nucleus hardness 120) and is easily scratched, so it is not recommended for use in harsh environments. Extra care should be taken when holding, and cleaning, pinching or wiping with even force, and it is best to wear gloves or rubber finger covers to prevent tarnishing. Cannot be held with tweezers or other tools.

'Silicon 

    Silicon is suitable for use in the NIR band from 1.2-8um.Because of its low 

    density, silicon is particularly suitable in applications where weight

    requirements are sensitive, especially in the 3-5um . Silicon has a Nucleus 

    hardness of , which is harder than germanium and not as fragile as 

    germanium.It is not suitable for transmission applications in CO2 lasers 

    because of its strong absorption band at 9um.

'Germanium 

    Germanium is suitable for use in the near-infrared band of 2-16um and is well 

    suited for infrared lasers. Due to its high refractive index, minimal surface 

    curvature and low chromatic aberration, germanium does not usually require 

    correction in low power imaging systems. However, germanium is more 

    severely affected by temperature, and the transmittance decreases with

    increasing temperature; therefore, it can only be applied below 100°C. The 

    density of germanium (5.33 g/cm³) is taken into account when designing 

    systems with strict weight requirements. Germanium lenses feature a

    precision diamond lathe turned surface, a feature that makes them well suited

    for a variety of infrared applications, including thermal imaging systems, 

    infrared beam splitters, telemetry, and in the forward-looking infrared (FLIR)

    field.

'CVD ZnS 

    CVD ZnS is the only infrared optical material, other than diamond, that covers visible to long-wave infrared (LWIR), full wavelength and even microwave wavelengths, and is currently the most important LWIR window material. It can be used as windows and lenses for high-resolution thermal imaging systems, as well as for advanced military applications such as "tri-optical" windows and near-infrared laser/dual-color infrared composite windows.

Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) Windows - Firebird Optics

Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) Basics:

Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) is a material that has been widely used in the field of optics due to its unique optical properties. One of the key applications of Calcium Fluoride is in the manufacture of optical windows. These windows are transparent to ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light, making them ideal for use in a variety of optical systems.

Calcium Fluoride has a high transmission range, which makes it ideal for use in a variety of applications that require a broad spectral transmission range. It is commonly used in applications where high transmission and low absorption are required, such as in spectroscopy, laser systems, and imaging systems.

One of the biggest advantages of Calcium Fluoride windows is their ability to transmit ultraviolet light, which is not possible with traditional glass windows. This makes them ideal for use in applications where ultraviolet light needs to be transmitted, such as in UV spectroscopy and UV imaging.

Calcium Fluoride windows are highly durable and can withstand harsh environmental conditions, making them ideal for use in industrial and scientific applications. They are also highly resistant to thermal shock, making them ideal for use in high-temperature applications.

The production process of Calcium Fluoride windows requires special equipment and techniques to ensure that the windows are of high quality and have the correct optical properties. The windows can be manufactured using a variety of techniques, including polishing, diamond turning, and grinding.

Calcium Fluoride windows are essential components in a variety of optical systems, offering a range of benefits over traditional materials such as glass. Their high transmission range, durability, and resistance to thermal shock make them ideal for use in a variety of applications, including spectroscopy, laser systems, and imaging systems. As the demand for high-quality optical components continues to grow, Calcium Fluoride windows will continue to play a critical role in the development of new optical systems.

Material Characteristics:

Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) is a material with the following specifications:

  • Chemical Composition: Calcium Fluoride is a binary compound composed of calcium (Ca) and fluorine (F2) with the chemical formula CaF2.

  • Optical Properties: CaF2 has a high refractive index and a low absorption coefficient, making it ideal for use in optical systems. It has a high transmission range, transmitting ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light.

  • Physical Properties: CaF2 is a crystalline material with a cubic crystal structure. It has a high hardness and is highly resistant to thermal shock. The material has a high thermal expansion coefficient, which must be taken into consideration when designing optical systems.

  • Melting Point: The melting point of CaF2 is °C.

  • Density: The density of CaF2 is 3.18 g/cm3.

  • Optical Bandgap: The optical bandgap of CaF2 is 10.6 eV.

  • Dispersion: The material has a low dispersion, making it ideal for use in imaging systems.

  • Surface Finish: The surface finish of CaF2 windows can be polished, diamond turned, or ground, depending on the specific requirements of the application.

Calcium Fluoride is a material with unique optical and physical properties that make it ideal for use in a variety of optical systems. Its high transmission range, low absorption coefficient, and high refractive index make it a popular choice for applications in spectroscopy, laser systems, and imaging systems.

Benefits of Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) Windows:

  1. High Transmission Range: CaF2 windows have a high transmission range, making them ideal for use in applications that require broad spectral transmission, such as spectroscopy and laser systems.

  2. Transmits UV Light: CaF2 windows are transparent to ultraviolet light, which is not possible with traditional glass windows, making them ideal for use in UV spectroscopy and imaging applications.

  3. Durability: CaF2 windows are highly durable and can withstand harsh environmental conditions, making them ideal for use in industrial and scientific applications.

  4. Thermal Stability: CaF2 windows are highly resistant to thermal shock, making them ideal for use in high-temperature applications.

  5. High Refractive Index: CaF2 has a high refractive index, making it ideal for use in high-resolution imaging systems.

Drawbacks of Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) Windows:

  1. Cost: CaF2 windows can be more expensive than traditional optical glass or fused silica windows due to the special equipment and techniques required to manufacture them.

  2. Scratch sensitivity: CaF2 windows are more susceptible to scratches and other surface damage compared to traditional glass or quartz windows.

  3. Absorption: CaF2 windows have a high absorption rate, making them unsuitable for applications where low absorption is required.

  4. Manufacturing Complexity: The production process of CaF2 windows requires special equipment and techniques, making them more difficult to manufacture compared to traditional glass or quartz windows.

Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) windows offer several advantages over traditional glass or quartz windows, including high transmission range, durability, and thermal stability. However, they also have some disadvantages, such as cost, scratch sensitivity, and high absorption rate. The choice of whether to use CaF2 windows or not will depend on the specific requirements of the application and the trade-off between the advantages and disadvantages.

For more MgF2 Single Crystal Windowinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

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