N-BK7
N-BK7 is a Schott designation for the most common Borosilicate Crown glass used for a wide variety of visible applications. The basic data here is given for N-BK7. Full optical design data on N-BK7 and other glasses can be found by following the web links at the bottom of this page.
JGS1
JGS1 is a synthetic UV-grade quartz glass suitable for optical applications equivalent to Corning 7980. JGS1 has high transmission across the UV to the NIR spectrum (180-2500nm), and is particularly advantageous for application in the UV range. However, like most UV grade Fused Silica, JGS1 contains relatively higher OH compositions than the IR grade Fused Silica, which leads to higher absorption in the IR band.
Corning HPFS 7980, 7979
Datasheets of Corning HPFS 7980,7979.
BOROFLOAT33
BOROFLOAT33 is a SCHOTT designation of borosilicate glass made by a unique microfloat technology. Its excellent thermal, mechanical, chemical and optical properties yielded versatility and stature in multitudes of applications.
SCHOTT ZERODUR
SCHOTT ZERODUR is a lithium aluminum silicon oxide glass-ceramic of zero porosity. Glass Ceramics are manufactured from controlled crystallization and nucleation of glass substrates, resulting in its mixed inherent properties of both glass and ceramic. Among them, SCHOTT ZERODURis iconic for its near-zero coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE), which is a result of its counterbalancing microscopic system and the glass matrix.
Corning Eagle XG
Corning Eagle XG is a synthetic Alkaline Earth Boro-aluminosilicate glass designed for Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and other electro-optical applications. Eagle XG glass features low density, 92% transmission in the visible spectrum, an extremely smooth surface, and impressive strength to allow thinner and larger dimensions. The glass also has the advantage of a high resistance to weathering (the erosion induced by gases and vapors in the atmosphere). The data sheets and properties of Corning Eagle XG are shown below.
Optical Substrate Material Selection Guide
The selection of optical substrate material is a vital step to determine the best appropriate optics for your individual applications. The characteristics(optical transmission, refractive index, hardness, etc.) of representative optical materials such as N-BK7, UV Fused Silica, Zerodur Glass, Chalcogenide Glass, BaF2, CaF2, MgF2, Germanium, Zinc Selenide, ZnS, Sapphire, Silicon, alpha-bbo, calcite, YVO4, and F2 glass are introduced and compared in this article from Shalom.
Optical Basics: The Nature of Light and Optical Elements
This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of essential Optical Basics, ranging from the nature of light (including wavelength, the electromagnetic spectrum, phase and amplitude, the wave-particle duality of light, to reflection, refraction, birefringence, and interference) to the operation principle of optical elements.
Understanding Optical Specifications-Geometric Specifications
A guide that helps understand the glossaries of optical specifications including thickness diameter tolerance, angle tolerance, center error, radius of curvature, clear aperture, parallelism, etc.
Understanding Optical Specifications: Surface Specifications
This article offers a simple but thorough explanation of surface specifications, which is an essential subset of optical specifications and which include Surface Quality, Surface Flatness, Surface Roughness, Power, Irregularity, and Fracture/Chip. This knowledge will help you navigate the complexities of optics terms and enhance your grasp of optics concepts.