Calcium fluoride is often used in spectroscopic windows and lenses due to its high transmission from 180nm to 8μm. Its low absorption and high damage threshold makes it a popular choice for excimer laser optics. Calcium fluoride’s low index or refraction allows it to be used without an anti-reflective coating. The Knoop hardness of calcium fluoride is 158.3.
- Low Absorption, High Transmission UV Grade Calcium Fluoride
- Ideal for Applications Ranging from 250nm – 7μm
- Low Index of Refraction
Low solubility and wide transmission range makes it useful for many applications, including: mirror substrate for UV laser systems; substrate for manufacturing windows, lenses for UV, IR applications.
Ootee Optics offers calcium fluoride (CaF2) High-Precision Windows either uncoated or with a broadband anti-reflective coating. The uncoated windows provide high transmission from the ultraviolet (180 nm) to the infrared (8 μm). The AR-coated windows feature an antireflection coating on both sides that provides increased transmission within the 1.65 – 3.0 µm specified wavelength range. Given its low absorption coefficient and high damage threshold, uncoated calcium fluoride crystal is a popular choice for use with excimer lasers. CaF2 windows are also commonly used in cryogenically cooled thermal imaging systems.
Calcium fluoride has a low absorption coefficient and high damage threshold, making these windows a good choice for use with free-space lasers. Optical calcium fluoride offers low dispersion (with an Abbe Number of 95) and low fluorescence, as well as excellent water, chemical, and heat resistance. In dry environments, CaF2 can be used up to 1000 °C, but in the presence of moisture, degradation will occur for temperatures exceeding 600 °C. Each window has a randomly oriented crystal axis.