Fused Silica Window Quartz Optical Window For Astronomy

A fused silica window, also known as a quartz optical window, is a commonly used visual component owing to its combination of valuable properties. Fused silica is a versatile and capable UV-visible optical material that overcomes many limitations of conventional optical glasses for applications requiring high purity, laser damage resistance, chemical durability, or thermal stability. When properly manufactured and applied, fused silica optical components can deliver visual performance and reliability in demanding conditions where most other materials would not suffice. For these reasons, fused silica offers an essential solution for state-of-the-art optical systems.

 

We produce high-quality fused silica windows ideal for the most demanding applications requiring ultraviolet transparency, high laser damage threshold, or precision optics. Our optical windows provide unmatched UV transmission as short as 170nm. It also offers high laser damage resistance that can withstand continuous-wave power densities over five kw/cm2 without failure or degradation in beam quality. It allows use with high-energy laser sources where most other materials would suffer catastrophic damage. Furthermore, we enhance performance through advanced flame hydrolysis techniques for maximum homogeneity, computer-controlled polishing for angstrom-level surface finish, 3D scanning laser microscopy, dimensional metrology with interferometry for precise specifications, etc. Please get in touch with us today to discuss how our fused silica optical components can enhance your system performance!

 

Features

- High UV transparency

- High laser damage threshold

- Exceptional surface quality

- Homogeneous and isotropic

- Dimensional stability

 

Parameters

Product name	Fused Silica Window/ Quartz Optical Window
UV transmission	170nm to 2000nm+
Laser damage threshold	≥5-10 kW/cm2 CW
Surface quality	λ/10 P-V @ 632.8 nm or better
Briefringence	<10 nm/cm
Dimensional stability	<5 ppm/°C

 

Spectrum Transmission Curve

 

Application

The main applications of fused silica optics stem from its unique combination of UV transparency, thermal/mechanical stability, chemical durability, and ability to be polished to exact tolerances. These properties allow fused silica optical windows and components to serve in precision optical systems, under high energy/power densities, in hazardous or extreme environments, and for demanding instrumentation where most other materials would not suffice. When properly fabricated, fused silica provides cost-effective solutions for state-of-the-art uses not viable with any other commercially available material.

- UV optics

- High-power laser optics

- Precision optics

- Thermal imaging

- Semiconductor lithography

- Space optics

- Industrial/scientific

- Cryogenic optics

 

Which optical window is a better option for optical communication

For optical communication systems, there are a few optical window materials to consider:

• Fused silica - Fused silica window/ quartz optical window is an excellent choice for optical communication windows and components. Some reasons it works well include:

› Wide transmission range - Fused silica transmits wavelengths from around 170 nm to 2 μm, covering the standard optical communication bands around 850 nm, 1310 nm, and 1550 nm. It enables the transmission of both multimode and single-mode optical signals.

› Low loss - When adequately manufactured, fused silica can achieve attenuation as low as 0.2 dB/km, enabling high-efficiency transmission over long link distances.

› Reliability - Fused silica is optically and mechanically stable with little change in properties over time, even in harsh environments. It provides long-term reliability for optical links and networks.

› Precision - Fused silica can be polished to tight surface tolerances suitable for collimation and coupling of single-mode fibers where low loss and high precision are critical.

› Cost - Although more expensive than some other materials, fused silica represents good value for the performance level and provides cost savings over link lifespans due to fewer replacements and system downtimes.

 

• Borosilicate glasses - Borosilicate glasses like BK7 and Borofloat 33 also work well for optical communication windows and some components. They offer:

› Moderate transmission range - Typically 400 nm to 2 μm, covering typical optical communication bands.

› Acceptable loss - Around 0.5-1 dB/km or less for high-quality borosilicate glasses, suitable for many multimode optical links and some single-mode connections.

› Reliability - Borosilicate glasses demonstrate good optical and mechanical stability for reliable performance over time.

› Lower cost - Borosilicate glasses are more economical than fused silica, providing a cost-effective solution where the wider transmission range and lower loss of fused silica are not required.

 

• Sapphire - Sapphire (Al2O3) is sometimes used for IR optical communication components like collimation lenses, windows, and domes. Its benefits include:

› Extensive IR transmission - Sapphire transmits wavelengths from 0.2 μm out to 5 μm, covering short-wave and mid-wave IR bands. Valid for free space or atmospheric IR optical links.

› Extreme durability - Sapphire has exceptional hardness, strength, and chemical durability in harsh conditions where most other materials would not survive.

› High-temperature stability - Sapphire retains good optical properties over a wide range of hot temperatures that would damage or distort many other window materials.

However, sapphire has some downsides, like high cost, lower visible range transmission, and difficulty cutting and polishing. It is best suited to specific IR applications whose strengths outweigh these factors.

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