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ZnSe (Zinc Selenide)
ZnSe is used widely for IR components, windows and lenses, and for spectroscopic ATR prisms. Zinc Selenide is one of the materials of choice for CO2 laser optics operating at 10.6 microns.
ZnS (Zinc Sulphide Multispectral, CVD)
ZnS Multispectral (water-clear) is used for IR windows and lenses in the thermal band (8 to 14 μm) where maximum transmission and lowest absorption is required. Also selected for use where visible alignment is an advantage.
TiO2 (Rutile)
Titanium dioxide crystals, chemically formulated as TiO2, belong to the tetragonal system and exhibit high refractive index, excellent thermal stability and chemical inertness, a wide optical transmittance range, high mechanical hardness, and a low defect density. They are suitable for applications in optics, electronics, and functional thin film growth.
Si (Silicon)
Silicon is used as an optical window primarily in the 3 to 5 micron band and as a substrate for production of optical filters. Large blocks of Silicon with polished faces are also employed as neutron targets in Physics experiments.
SiO2 (Quartz Crystal)
Optically, Crystalline Quartz is used extensively as a wave retardation medium. The birefringent properties of Quartz are of use in quarter-wave plates and in polarisers. Quartz should not be processed or used at temperatures greater than 490 °C. Crystalline quartz is also used for electronic filters and resonators. However, Crystran Ltd. does not deal in material for this application.
MgO (Magnesium Oxide)
Magnesium Oxide can be used for high temperature windows and substrates. HTSC substrates.
MgF2 (Magnesium Fluoride)
Magnesium Fluoride transmits well into the VUV region to the hydrogen Lyman-alpha line (121nm) and beyond. Magnesium Fluoride is used mostly for UV optics and is excellent for Excimer laser applications.
LiF (Lithium Fluoride)
Lithium fluoride is the material with the most extreme UV transmission of all and is used for special UV optics. Lithium fluoride transmits well into the VUV region at the hydrogen Lyman-alpha line (121nm) and beyond. Lithium fluoride is also used for X-ray monochromator plates where its lattice spacing makes it the most useful analysis crystal.
Ge (Germanium)
Germanium is a high index material that is used to manufacture Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) prisms for spectroscopy. Its refractive index is such that Germanium makes an effective natural 50% beamsplitter without the need for coatings. Germanium is also used extensively as a substrate for production of optical filters. Germanium covers the whole of the 8-14 micron thermal band and is used in lens systems for thermal imaging. Germanium can be AR coated with Diamond producing an extremely tough front optic.
CaF2 (Calcium Fluoride)
Calcium Fluoride has widespread IR application as spectroscopic CaF2 windows, CaF2 prisms and CaF2 lenses. Especially pure grades of Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) find useful application in the UV and as UV Excimer laser windows. Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) is available doped with Europium as a gamma-ray scintillator.