Magnesium Flouride(MgF2) lens is a widely used substrate for many applications like in ultraviolet spectrum and infrared spectrum. Magnesium Fluoride is extremely durable when compared to other materials that reach this far down into the UV or out into the IR. Magnesium fluoride is an inorganic chemical compound with a chemical formula of MgF2. It is white or crystalline in appearance with a melting point of 1,261°C, a density of 3.18 g/cc, and vapor pressure of 10-4 Torr at 1,000°C. The main application of magnesium fluoride is in optics, due to its distinctive transparency over a wide range of wavelengths. It is evaporated under a vacuum to form anti-reflective layers. MGF2 is a white crystalline transparent, substance that is used in optics, and space telescopes. Magnesium fluoride is a product when magnesium oxide reacts with hydrogen fluoride such as ammonium bifluoride. At Alpine Research Optics we have a wide range of quality custom optical window fabrication of different specifications.
MgO + (NH4)HF2 → MgF2 + NH3 + H2O
During the reaction, the compound crystallizes as tetragonal birefringent crystals. When working with the MGF2 spectrum, it is advisable to keep as chronic exposure to magnesium fluoride may affect the skeleton, kidneys, central nervous system, respiratory system, eyes and skin, and may cause or aggravate attacks of asthma. It can be cut in different orientations to produce either minimal or maximum birefringence, dependent on the application it is intended for. MgF2 lens is employed in a wide range of applications like in Plano-Concave lenses, Bi-Concave lenses, Meniscus lenses, Plano-Convex, and Bi-Convex lenses. Magnesium Fluoride is a very durable material, from pure research products boulder co that is, resistant to mechanical and thermal shock and used for prisms, windows, and lenses from the vacuum ultraviolet to the infrared region of 7.5 microns.
Features Of Magnesium fluoride Lens
- The C-axis is oriented to minimize birefringence
- Lower-grade magnesium fluoride is inferior to calcium fluoride in the infrared range
- Magnesium fluoride is tough and polishes well but is slightly birefringent and should therefore be cut with the optic axis perpendicular to the plane of the window or lens
- It has a suitable refractive index
- Magnesium fluoride (MgF2) is a proven material for high energy lasers, and particularly for lasers operating in the UV range
- Magnesium Fluoride (MgF2) is colorless and durable crystalline material
- Magnesium fluoride is the hardest of the fluoride materials used in optical components
- Its transmission is inferior compared to calcium fluoride and barium fluoride, therefore its main applications fall into the VUV and UV regions
- It is a polarizing agent in the ultraviolet spectrum
Uses Of MGF2
- Magnesium fluoride exhibits slight birefringence and therefore is often the substrate used in Rochon polarisers
- Due to its birefringence it is also used as the substrate for retarder plates, such as quarter-wave plates
- Magnesium fluoride transmits into the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV), it is durable and creates minimal aberrations
- For excimer applications, magnesium fluoride would be cut in such a way to produce minimal birefringence
- It is often the substrate used for excimer laser mirrors
- MGF2, lenses can be used over the entire range of wavelengths from 0.120 μm (vacuum ultraviolet) to 8.0 μm )
- In Optical engineering where toughness is needed, MGF2 is used
- Magnesium fluoride is transparent over a wide range of wavelengths
