UV-grade fused silica optical window 5 inch diameter

Product Description

High-Quality 5″ Diameter UV-grade Fused Silica Optical Window – 8.5 mm Thick, Plano-Plano, Uncoated

For sale: A precision-engineered plano-plano optical window, measuring 5 inches (127 mm) in diameter and 8.5 mm thick. This high-purity fused silica (UV-grade quartz) component is in excellent condition, with polished flat surfaces free of scratches, digs, or inclusions, and a ground/frosted edge for safe handling and reduced stray light.

UV-grade fused silica is the material of choice for demanding optical applications requiring exceptional transmission from the deep ultraviolet through the near-infrared. Its high purity, low thermal expansion, and resistance to radiation and fluorescence make it ideal for laser systems, vacuum viewports, and precision metrology .

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Key Specifications

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Material Advantages – UV-Grade Fused Silica

UV-grade fused silica offers exceptional properties for precision optical applications :

Optical Performance:

• Broadband Transmission: 195–2100 nm, covering deep UV through visible to near-IR

• No Fluorescence: Will not fluoresce under UV light – critical for spectroscopy and fluorescence imaging

• Low Autofluorescence: Extremely low bulk scatter compared to other optical glasses

• Excellent Homogeneity: Uniform refractive index throughout

Physical & Thermal Properties:

• Very Low Thermal Expansion: Maintains figure under temperature changes – ideal for laser systems

• High Thermal Shock Resistance: Can withstand rapid temperature changes

• Radiation Resistant: Suitable for space and high-radiation environments

Laser Applications:

• High Laser Damage Threshold: Extreme purity eliminates microscopic defect sites that could lead to laser damage

• Low Absorption: Minimal heating under high-power beams

Purity:

• Synthetic Material: Flame hydrolysis process ensures highest purity, free from impurities found in natural quartz

• No Orientation Issues: Unlike crystalline quartz, fused silica is isotropic with no temperature instability

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Surface Quality & Flatness

20-10 Scratch-Dig :

• Scratch: 20 (very fine, barely visible under magnification)

• Dig: 10 (tiny imperfections, 0.1mm diameter max)

• This is the highest standard commercial surface quality, suitable for demanding laser and imaging applications

λ/10 Flatness :

• Surface figure accuracy of λ/10 at 632.8 nm

• Near-diffraction-limited performance

• Suitable for interferometry, beam expansion, and precision imaging

Parallelism:

• <30 arc seconds typical for precision windows

• Minimizes beam deviation in transmission

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Thickness Advantage – 8.5mm

This window’s 8.5mm thickness provides:

• Enhanced Mechanical Rigidity: Suitable for pressure/vacuum differential applications

• Reduced Flexure: Maintains flatness under mounting stress

• Robust Handling: Less susceptible to breakage during integration

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Applications

Vacuum Chamber Viewports:

• Ideal for high and ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems

• Scientific instruments, electron microscopes, spectroscopy systems

• Can withstand pressure differentials while maintaining optical integrity

Laser Systems:

• Protective windows in high-power laser setups (research, cutting, welding)

• High laser damage threshold from extreme purity

• Suitable for intracavity applications

Optical Benches & Metrology:

• Substrates or covers in interferometers and imaging setups

• Reference flats for flatness verification

• Barriers against dust, humidity, or contaminants

Environmental Chambers:

• Materials science, biology, or chemistry labs

• Enables clear observation while isolating samples

• UV-grade transmission for photochemistry studies

Custom Optics Projects:

• Beam path enclosures

• Substrates for custom coatings

• Newton’s rings demonstrations for flatness verification

Multiphoton Imaging:

• Low autofluorescence makes it ideal for multiphoton microscopy systems

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Why Uncoated?

The window is uncoated, offering maximum flexibility:

• Versatile Use: Suitable for a broad range of wavelengths without coating restrictions

• Custom Coatings: User can apply custom AR or reflective coatings optimized for specific applications

• High Transmission: Uncoated fused silica still offers >90% transmission across most of its range

• No Coating to Fail: Eliminates risk of coating damage in harsh environments

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Condition

EXCELLENT – LIKE-NEW
SURFACES: Clean, polished, no visible scratches, digs, or inclusions
EDGE: Ground/frosted finish – safe handling, reduced stray light
TRANSMISSION: Verified for clarity
STORED: Protected in lab environment
READY FOR IMMEDIATE INTEGRATION

⚠ HANDLING NOTE: This is a precision optical component. Handle only by edges with clean gloves. Never touch polished surfaces. Store in clean, dry environment when not in use.