For scientists, light is the name given to the wavelengths of visible and invisible electromagnetic radiation. In addition to visible light, it is usually divided into ultraviolet (UV radiation) and infrared (IR radiation). UV light has wavelengths between 10 nm and 400 nm. IR light is a term used to describe light with wavelengths between 700 nm and 1,000,000 nm.
For laser and optical instrumentation applications in the UV and IR wavelength ranges, our products include a wide range of substrates and finished optical components made of lithium fluoride (LiF), magnesium fluoride (MgF2), calcium fluoride (CaF2), barium fluoride (BaF2), sapphire (Al2O3), zinc selenide (ZnSe), copper (Cu), germanium (Ge), and silicon (Si). They make excellent choices for UV and infrared optics.
IR Optics
IR optics can be used to provide us with a variety of functions. Lenses and other optics are required to control IR light and make it useful in these systems. When the wavelength to be transmitted is more than approximately 2500 nm, a variety of materials are employed in IR optics. These substances include sapphire, BaF2, CaF2, gallium phosphide (GaP), Si, Ge, and ZnSe, to name a few. Si is utilized whenever possible because of how inexpensive it is, however BaF2 and Ge are also common materials.
UV Optics
The UV region of the spectrum is frequently used in science, medicine, and industry. UV optics are commonly used in high-energy laser processing, fluorescence microscopy, and as transmitters and receivers for secure line-of-sight communication systems. The fewest materials are currently accessible for the manufacture of optical components in UV optics. These substances include MgF2, CaF2, sapphire, and fused silica, to name a few.
Barium Fluoride Components
BaF2 transmits from UV to IR, from 150 – 200 nm to 11 – 11.5 μm, and can be used as a material to make optical components such as windows, lenses and prisms. The highest quality BaF2 can also be used as the fastest known scintillator material and is used in high energy physics experiments. It reacts to X-rays, gamma rays, and other high-energy particles. It has several scintillation emission bands. The fast one is centered at 220 nm with an attenuation constant of 0.6 ns; the slow scintillation band is centered at 310 nm with an attenuation constant of 620 ns.
BaF2 has good transmittance in the range of 0.2 to 11 μm. It is very sensitive to mechanical and thermal shocks. It can be used for infrared laser applications. BaF2 is less water resistant than calcium fluoride (CaF2), but can still be used in dry air up to 800°C.