Fused silica / quartz

Fused silica - synthetic quartz for precision optics. Mirrors, lenses and windows.

Fused silica/quartz

Fused silica (quartz glass) is a synthetic material with outstanding optical properties. It is characterised by high light transmission, thermal stability and chemical resistance.

Fused silica, UV quartz and IR quartz are synthetic materials made from high-purity silicon dioxide. They are characterised by a range of outstanding properties that predestine them for a variety of applications.

This range of applications extends across countless industries. Their outstanding properties make them indispensable materials in various industries, from optics and electronics to medicine and aerospace.

Properties

Wide transmission range: Fused silica enables light transmission across the entire spectrum from ultraviolet (UV) to infrared (IR).
High homogeneity: The homogeneous structure of the material ensures distortion-free light refraction and imaging performance.
High hardness and scratch resistance: Fused silica is extremely scratch-resistant and robust, making it ideal for applications in harsh environments.
High thermal stability: The material retains its shape and dimensions even at extreme temperatures, which makes it ideal for use in high-power lasers.
Chemical resistance: Fused silica is resistant to a wide range of chemicals, acids and alkalis.

Applications

Lenses: Fused silica lenses are used in various optical systems, e.g. in microscopes, lenses and lasers.
Windows: Fused silica windows are used in areas where high light transmission, thermal stability and chemical resistance are required, e.g. in the semiconductor industry, medical technology and aerospace.
Filters: Fused silica filters are used to block or transmit certain wavelengths of light, e.g. in infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence analysis.

IR quartz

IR quartz is a special form of fused silica that is optimised for infrared applications. It is characterised by high transmission in the infrared range and low absorption of visible light.

Infrasil 301, 302 (Heraeus)7979, 7980, 8655 (Ohara)
Suprasil 3301, 3302 (Heraeus)
7979, 7980, 8655 (Ohara)

Material Properties

High IR transmission: IR quartz enables the efficient transmission of infrared radiation.
Low stray light: The material minimises stray light and thus ensures sharp images and precise measurements.
High thermal stability: IR quartz retains its shape and dimensions even at high temperatures, which makes it ideal for use in infrared lasers and sensors.
Chemical resistance: IR quartz is resistant to a wide range of chemicals, acids and alkalis.

Applications

Infrared lenses: IR quartz lenses are used in infrared systems such as thermal imaging cameras, night vision devices and spectrometers.
Infrared windows: IR quartz windows are used in areas where high infrared transmission and thermal stability are required, e.g. in process control, infrared drying and gas analysis.
Infrared filters: IR quartz filters are used to block or transmit certain infrared wavelengths, e.g. in infrared spectroscopy and infrared thermography.

UV quartz

UV quartz is a special form of fused silica that is optimised for use in the ultraviolet (UV) range. It is characterised by high transmission in the UV range and low absorption of visible light.

Suprasil 311, Suprasil 312 (Heraeus)
7979, 7980, 8655 (Ohara)
NIFS-V, NIFS-A, NISF-U, NIFS-S, NIFS-I (Nikon)

Properties of UV Quartz

High UV transmission: UV quartz enables the efficient transmission of UV radiation.
Low stray light: The material minimises stray light and thus ensures sharp images and precise measurements in the UV range.
High thermal stability: UV quartz retains its shape and dimensions even at high temperatures, which makes it ideal for use in UV lasers and sensors.
Chemical resistance: UV quartz is resistant to a wide range of chemicals, acids and alkalis.

Applications

UV optics: UV quartz lenses, prisms and mirrors are used in various UV optics systems, e.g. in spectrometers, lithography machines and sterilisation devices.
UV sensors: UV quartz detectors are used to measure UV radiation in various applications, e.g. in environmental monitoring, industrial process control and medical diagnostics.
UV lighting: UV quartz lamps are used to generate UV light in various applications, e.g. in water disinfection, air purification and plastic curing.