Magnesium Fluoride Spherical Lenses
Magnesium fluoride spherical lenses are ideal for laser work, especially in the UV range. At Avantier, we produce custom magnesium fluoride lenses in both spherical and aspherical configurations.
Magnesium fluoride spherical lenses
Benefits of Magnesium Fluoride Spherical Lenses
Magnesium fluoride has high transmission for a wide range of wavelengths, between 0.12 to 7µm. It is a durable material with high chemical stability and good mechanical properties, including impact resistance and a high damage threshold from thermal fluctuations and radiation. The melting point is very high (1255 C).
Magnesium fluoride is a naturally birefringent substance, but by controlling the alignment of the lenses C-axis it is possible to minimize birefringence. Cutting it in such a way and mounting it in appropriate alignment to the light source makes it suitable for excimer laser applications.
Magnesium fluoride can be used as a stand-alone optical substrate but may also be applied to other substrates as a thin film coating to enhance optical qualities and durability.
Summary of key properties:
Refractive Index | 1.413 @ 0.22µm |
Reflection Loss | 5.7 % @ 0.22µm |
Density | 3.18 g/cm3 |
Hardness | Knoop 415 |
Youngs Modulus | 138 GPa |
Melting Point | 1255 C |
Specific Heat Capacity | 1003 J Kg m-1 K-1 |
Applications of Magnesium Fluoride Spherical Lenses
Magnesium fluoride spherical lenses are an ideal choice for many applications that require broadband transmission in the deep UV to mid-infrared range. For instance, they are ideal for use at the Hydrogen Lyman-alpha line (Ly-α, at wavelength 121.567 nm). These spherical lenses are also often used with UV radiation sources and UV receivers.
Magnesium fluoride’s resistance to thermal damage also makes it a good choice for use with high powered excimer laser applications, which typically operate in the UV. These lasers generate nanosecond pulses rather than continuous-wave operation, with a pulse energy between 10 mJa and 1J. Magnesium fluoride spherical lenses are used most often with lasers based on argon fluoride, krypton fluoride and xenon chloride, although they can also be used with other types of excimer lasers as well.
Custom Magnesium Fluoride Spherical Lenses at Avantier
At Avantier, we produce custom magnesium fluoride lenses for a wide variety of applications, including excimer lasers, in any focal length desired. If you are unsure about just what lens you need our expert optical designers can walk you through the different optical properties of various substrates and help you determine the ideal lens for your application. Whether you need a magnesium fluoride spherical lens, a MgF2 window, or another optical piece with MgF2 coatings, we can get you what you need.
A focus on providing a premium experience to our customers and producing the exact optical piece needed is what sets Avantier apart. Unlike other optical suppliers, which may encourage you to order a part that almost works from in-stock items, we want to get you the exact lens required by your application. We are proud of our track record of producing premium custom optics at an affordable price and within a reasonable time frame. Please ontact us today to set up an initial consult or to place a custom order.
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