Magnesium fluoride (MgF2) is a crucial material used in optics, particularly known for its excellent transmission properties from the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) to the infrared (IR) spectrum. It is an optical crystal that offers a combination of unique optical and mechanical properties, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Properties of Magnesium Fluoride:
- Optical Clarity: MgF2 transmits well over a broad range of wavelengths. It is particularly efficient in the VUV region, making it highly valuable for applications requiring deep ultraviolet light transmission.
- Birefringence: This crystal exhibits birefringence, which allows it to split a beam of light into two rays, making it useful in polarizing optics.
- Hardness and Durability: It is relatively hard and resistant to mechanical and thermal shock, which is beneficial for environments requiring robust materials.
- Chemical Stability: MgF2 is resistant to chemical attack by most substances except for hydrochloric acid and water over time, which aids in its durability in harsh environments.
Applications:
- UV Optics: Due to its transparency in the UV spectrum, MgF2 is ideal for lenses, windows, and prisms in photolithography systems and telescopes that operate under UV light.
- Laser Optics: It is used in laser components, particularly where high energy UV lasers are involved, due to its ability to withstand intense light without degrading.
- Astronomical Optics: MgF2 is used in astronomical telescopes for its UV transmission and low light scattering, enhancing the clarity and quality of celestial imaging.
- Protective Coatings: It is often applied as a coating on other optical materials to enhance their transmission and durability, especially in anti-reflective coatings.
The production of high-quality magnesium fluoride crystals is essential for ensuring the performance of optical systems, especially those operating in sensitive spectral ranges. This makes MgF2 a highly valued material in advanced optical engineering and design.
Shapeoptics is Able to Offer
- Various optics for IR & VUV application, using our MgF2 crystal materials
- MgF2 VUV Windows for ArF Excimer Laser
- Good quality MgF2 crystal blank materials
- OEM service for good quality MgF2 crystals
Capabilities
- Maximum Diameter 170mm
- Clear Aperture 85%
- Surface Flatness /4 @633nm
- Surface Quality 20/10
The Transmittance Curve of MgF2 Crystal (under 3mm thickness)
Wavelength (nm)
Transmittance (%)
MgF2 Crystal Properties
Optical Properties
| Transmittance Range / m | 0.11～ 7.5 |
| Transmittance | > 90%@0.193 ~ 6m |
| Refractive Index | no=1.37608; ne=1.38771 (@ 0.7m) |
| Reflection Loss | 5.2% @0.6 m (both surfaces) |
| Residual Radiation Peak / nm | 20 |
| Absorption Coefficient / cm-1 | 0.04 @ 2.7m |
| dn/dT / ℃ | 2.3 x 10-6 // c-axis; 1.7 x 10-6 ⊥ c-axis |
Physical Properties
| Density / g.cm-3 | 3.18 |
| Melting Point / ℃ | 1255 |
| Thermal Conductivity / W.m-1K-1 | 0.3 @300K |
| Thermal Expansion / ℃-1 | 13.7 x 10-6 // c-axis; 8.9 x 10-6 ⊥ c-axis |
| Knoop Hardness / Kg.mm-2 | 415 with 100g indenter |
| Specific Heat Capacity / J.Kg-1K-1 | 1003 |
| Dielectric Constant | 1.87@1MHz // c-axis; 1.45@1MHz ⊥ c-axis |
| Youngs Modulus (E) / GPa | 138.5 |
| Shear Modulus (G) / GPa | 54.66 |
| Bulk Modulus (K) / GPa | 101.32 |
| Elastic Coefficient | C11=164; C12=53; C44=33.7; C13=63; C66=96 |
| Apparent Elastic Limit / MPa | 49.6 (7200 psi) |
| Poisson Ratio | 0.276 |
Chemical Properties
| Solubility / g | 0.0002 @20℃ |
| Molecular Weight | 62.32 |
| Cystal Structure | Tetragonal System |
| Cleavage Plane | (110) |
Top of Form
Magnesium Fluoride crystal is used as a lens, prism and window for wavelength from 110nm to 7.5m. It is the most suitable material as window for ArF Excimer Laser, For the reason of its good transmit- tance at 193nm, It is also effective as an optical polarizing element in the ultraviolet region. Farther more MgF2 crystal appropriate as a vacuum evaporation coating materials.
Shapeoptics offers a comprehensive range of materials and advanced equipment for custom and OEM optical components, leveraging over 20 years of expertise in manufacturing lenses, prisms, windows, and more. We utilize high-quality materials like UV and IR grade fused silica, Germanium, and ZnSe, among others. Our state-of-the-art techniques and equipment minimize waste and optimize delivery times. Our in-house capabilities include standard and custom coatings across the UV-NIR spectrum, ensuring high quality and compliance with all industry standards. For precision and reliability in optics, contact Shapeoptics for your next project.
