Quartz for Optical Application

Benefits of Fused Quartz Granule

Range of transmission: Through various manufacturing processes, producers of fused quartz granule have enabled it to achieve amazingly high throughput over a wide range of the spectrum. A standard grade ultraviolet fused quartz granule will transmit >90% from 200nm to 2 microns with only slight deviation at the 1.4 micron wavelength. Switch to an ir grade fused quartz granule, which removes the oh absorption bands, and you’ll achieve >90% from 250nm to 3.5 microns. Still other fused quartz granule varieties have low metallic impurities which allow for transmission in the high-power semiconductor, extreme uv regions of 248nm and 193nm. As most optical glasses “turn on” at 350nm and begin to “tail-off” near the 2 micron range, fused quartz granule is simply a superior, more versatile optical material.

Low coefficient of thermal expansion: A hallmark of fused quartz granule is its thermal stability. Whereas other optical materials will lose their surface accuracy when subjected to large changes in temperature, fused quartz granule is known for its ability to resist thermal shock and expansion. This important property makes it a perfect choice for mirror substrates when considering the application of either a metal or dielectric coating. The low cte also helps maintain the precision of an optics transmitted wavefront distortion over a range of temperatures.

Minimal/no fluorescence: In the design of every optical system, the signal-to-noise ratio is an important factor. When exposed to high intensity radiation such as uv light, many materials will absorb the energy and re-emit it, thereby fluorescing. This effect introduces unwanted noise into the system which degrades the overall signal and reduces the effectiveness of the instrument. Fused quartz granule provides extremely low, and in many cases, no fluorescence in the presence of such radiation. This specific characteristic has earned fused quartz granule the reputation as the material of choice for laser applications.

High chemical resistance: Fused quartz granule is chemically inert and will not react with a wide array compounds, including most acids in very high concentrations, with the exception of hydrofluoric acid. Such durability is useful when fused quartz granule is employed as a window in harsh environments or when used as a laboratory tool in contact with caustic chemicals. This resistance also protects the integrity of an optic’s surface polish assisting both the flatness and transmitted wavefront distortion.

Applications Of Fused Quartz Granule

Benefits of UV Quartz Plate

Very Low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion:UV quartz plate exhibit an extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), typically around 0.55 x 10^-6 /°C. This property ensures minimal dimensional changes with temperature variations, enabling them to withstand rapid temperature fluctuations without cracking or warping.

High-Temperature Resistance:Quartz plates possess exceptional thermal resistance, withstanding temperatures up to 1500°C. This attribute makes them ideal for applications involving high-temperature processes, such as semiconductor fabrication, glassblowing, and chemical reactions.

Optical Clarity:UV quartz plate are characterized by their high optical clarity, allowing for exceptional light transmission. They exhibit minimal absorption and scattering of light, making them suitable for various optical applications, including lenses, prisms, and windows.

High Chemical Purity:UV quartz plate are composed of ultra-pure silica (SiO2), resulting in high chemical purity. They are resistant to most acids, bases, and organic solvents, making them ideal for applications in harsh chemical environments.

Excellent Electrical Insulation Qualities:UV quartz plate are excellent electrical insulators, possessing high resistivity and low dielectric loss. This property makes them suitable for electrical applications, such as insulators, capacitors, and high-voltage components.

More efficiency: Reflectors can fine-tune the ultraviolet light so it consistently covers a target area and increases the intensity to the proper level without increasing power demand. Because reflectors allow for adjustments, they more efficiently use energy without wasting it on off-target surfaces or requiring more energy for a stronger beam of light.

Better and more uniform coverage: High-quality coatings and print projects require consistency at every stage of production, including the curing period. Manufacturers can guarantee a more consistent output with reflectors, which concentrate and position the UV light properly. Protective UV quartz plate also affect uniformity, as they prevent debris and ink from interfering with the lamp's internal workings or obscuring the light beam.

Longer-lasting materials: UV quartz plate primarily protect the internal components of UV lamps from contamination that can gum up the parts, cause additional wear, or otherwise interfere with operations. This increases the lifespan of each lamp. It also increases the cost-effectiveness of the UV light curing processes, as manufacturers don't have to replace their lamps as often.

Do You Know The Precautions For The Use Of UV quartz plate?

The use of UV quartz plate should follow certain precautions since quartz glass are relatively expensive materials, attention should be paid to:

All kinds of UV quartz plate have a maximum operating temperature, which should not be exceeded during use, otherwise it will crystallize or soften and deform.

Quartz glass is an acidic material. Strictly avoid contact with alkaline substances (such as water glass, asbestos, potassium-sodium compounds, etc.) when used at high temperature, otherwise its anti-crystallization performance will be greatly reduced.

UV quartz plate are allowed to be used continuously at high temperature, which is good for prolonging the life of quartz glass and improving the temperature resistance. On the contrary, the intermittent use of UV quartz plate at high temperature has a limited number of uses.

Although the quartz glass material has extremely high thermal stability, it can withstand severe temperature changes. However, in actual use, due to the difference in residual strain and product shape, the thermal stability has a certain difference, and attention should be paid when using it.

Quartz glass that needs to be used at high temperature must be wiped clean before use. It can be soaked with 10% hydrofluoric acid or lotion, then cleaned with high-purity water or treated with alcohol. Thin-line gloves should be worn during operation, and it is not allowed to directly touch the quartz glass with hands.

Any solution containing substances that corrode glass should not be stored in quartz glass instruments for a long time. And glassware cannot be heated on a flame or electric stove or baked in a drying oven.