Performance and Types of Fused Silica Optics

Fused silica optics occupy an important position in the field of optics and many high-tech industries due to their excellent physical and chemical properties. These optical components not only have extremely high transparency and optical uniformity, but also maintain excellent light transmittance performance from the ultraviolet to the infrared spectrum. In addition, optical components from fused silica have outstanding thermal stability and chemical resistance, and are widely used in optical instruments, laser technology, optical fiber communications, etc. This article will discuss in detail the characteristics, types, and applications of fused silica optics in different fields.

The Superior Characteristics of Fused Silica Optics

Fused silica is a high-purity, colorless, transparent material made from natural quartz ore or synthetic quartz melted at high temperatures. As an optical component material, fused silica possesses many superior characteristics, making it one of the core components of modern technological equipment. The main advantages of fused silica optics include:

High Transparency and Broad Spectrum Light Transmission

One of the greatest features of fused silica optics is their excellent light transmission performance. Fused silica can maintain high transmittance across a wide spectrum range from ultraviolet to infrared, making it especially suitable for devices requiring high-precision optical performance. Its optical uniformity is less than 8 x 10⁻⁶, meaning that fused silica optics can provide stable and consistent light transmission. This characteristic makes it widely used in spectrum analysis, microscopic imaging, and other high-precision optical fields.

Excellent Thermal Stability

The thermal expansion coefficient of fused silica is extremely low, about 0.58 x 10⁻⁶ /K (0℃ to 200℃), ensuring its dimensional and optical performance stability in high-temperature environments. This characteristic is especially important for the application of optical components in laser technology and high-temperature experimental equipment. Optical components from fused silica can work long-term under extreme temperatures without deformation or performance degradation due to thermal expansion.

Excellent Chemical Resistance and Mechanical Strength

Fused silica optics also have excellent chemical resistance, capable of withstanding corrosion from acids, bases, and other chemicals. This chemical stability ensures that optical components maintain good performance even in complex working environments. Additionally, the density of fused silica is 2.201 g/cm³, possessing strong mechanical impact resistance, which allows it to operate stably in many harsh environments without easily damaging optical systems.

Different Types of Fused Silica Optics

Fused silica optics can be divided into three categories based on their manufacturing process and application fields: JGS1, JGS2, and JGS3. Each material has unique advantages for specific spectral ranges and application needs.

JGS1：Far UV Optical Quartz Glass

JGS1 fused silica optics are mainly used for ultraviolet and visible light band applications with extremely high light transmittance. They are widely used in fluorescence spectroscopy and UV analysis equipment. This material is free from bubbles and impurities, making it an ideal substitute for high-precision optical materials such as Suprasil 1&2 and Corning 7980. Due to the high purity of JGS1 material, it has broad applications in fields requiring precision optical performance, such as high-end imaging and optical inspection.

JGS2：UV Optical Quartz Glass

JGS2 is mainly used for mirror substrates, containing a certain number of tiny bubbles. These bubbles do not significantly affect its performance; especially in ultraviolet and visible light band applications, it still provides high-quality optical performance. JGS2 is commonly used as a replacement for Homosil 1, 2&3 materials and is suitable for applications with less demanding optical purity requirements, such as basic scientific research instruments and optical experimental equipment.

JGS3：IR Optical Quartz Glass

JGS3 fused silica optics are specially designed for the infrared band, with extremely high infrared transmittance. However, due to containing more bubbles, its applications are somewhat limited. Nonetheless, JGS3 remains an excellent substitute for Suprasil 300 and is often used in equipment requiring high infrared transmittance, such as infrared imaging and spectrum analysis instruments.