Comprehensive analysis of the transmission characteristics of Schott Zerodur microcrystalline glass

Schott Zerodur microcrystalline glass

Schott Zerodur is a unique material known for its excellent thermal stability, making it the cornerstone of high-precision applications such as astronomical telescopes and semiconductor manufacturing. Its optical properties, especially its transmittance, are crucial. Understanding these characteristics not only broadens our understanding of this excellent material, but also opens up new avenues for its application in the field where transparency plays a crucial role.

The structure and composition of Zerodur

The microcrystalline structure of Zerodur is the key to its extraordinary performance. This structure is composed of embedded microcrystalline phases (usually β The glass matrix composition of quartz provides materials with near zero thermal expansion and significant dimensional stability. The controllable crystallization process in the manufacturing process makes the material highly uniform, minimizes internal stress, and further enhances its stability and mechanical strength.

The optical properties of Zerodur

Although Zerodur is mainly known for its thermal and mechanical properties, its optical properties, including transmittance, are also worth noting. Transmittance refers to the amount of light that can pass through a material, and it is a key parameter for optical and photonics applications.

Ultraviolet to near-infrared transmittance

Zerodur exhibits transmittance over a wide spectral range from ultraviolet (UV) to visible spectrum and then to near-infrared (NIR). However, its transmittance is not uniform at these wavelengths. Within the ultraviolet range, Zerodur has a relatively low transmittance. This is due to the relative absorption of ultraviolet rays by the glass matrix and microcrystals, which is a common feature of many glass ceramic materials

In the visible light range, Zerodur exhibits better transmittance. The microcrystalline structure of this material does indeed scatter some light, which slightly reduces its overall transmittance compared to pure optical glass. However, it still allows a significant portion of visible light to pass through, making it suitable for certain optical applications where thermal stability is crucial.

In the near-infrared range, the transmittance characteristics of Zerodur continue to improve. Long wavelength near-infrared light is less affected by the microstructure of the material, resulting in higher transmittance. This characteristic is particularly useful in applications involving infrared optics and photonics, where maintaining structural integrity under different thermal conditions is crucial.

Factors affecting transmittance

There are several factors that can affect the transmittance of Zerodur, including its thickness, surface quality, and the presence of impurities or inclusions. Zerodur's thicker samples naturally exhibit lower transmittance due to an increase in the path length of light, resulting in higher absorption and scattering losses. Therefore, optimizing the thickness of Zerodur components is crucial for applications that require high transmittance.

Surface quality also plays an important role. A polished surface with minimal roughness can reduce scattering loss and improve transmittance. Schott uses advanced polishing techniques to achieve the high surface quality required for optical applications.

Impurities and inclusions in Zerodur can also affect its transmittance. Although Schott maintains strict quality control during the manufacturing process to minimize these impurities, even trace amounts of impurities can affect the optical properties of the material. Therefore, maintaining high purity is crucial to ensure consistent transmittance characteristics

Zerodur's application based on transmission characteristics

Given Zerodur's unique thermal stability and transmittance characteristics, it is used in various advanced optical applications. Understanding its transmittance characteristics can help us understand its versatility and the reasons why it is chosen for specific purposes.

Astronomical telescope

Zerodur is perhaps most famous for its application in astronomical telescopes. The low thermal expansion of this material is crucial for maintaining the precise shape of the telescope reflector and ensuring clear and accurate images. Although Zerodur's main function in telescopes is structure, its transmittance characteristics also contribute to overall optical performance. For example, in some telescope designs, Zerodur can be used as an optical element that is important for thermal stability and light transmission

Improving transmittance: progress and technology

In order to further improve the transparency performance of Zerodur, researchers and manufacturers have adopted several advanced technologies. This includes coating, doping, and advanced manufacturing processes.

Advanced manufacturing industry

The advancement of manufacturing processes also helps to improve transmittance. Technologies such as precision casting and controllable crystallization help to minimize internal defects and inclusions, resulting in higher purity and better optical performance. In addition, innovations in surface polishing and precision machining have further improved the material's transmittance by reducing surface roughness and scattering losses.

Schott Zerodur microcrystalline glass is an excellent material with unique thermal stability and optical properties. Its transmission characteristics from ultraviolet to near-infrared make it suitable for various advanced applications where structural integrity and transparency are crucial. By understanding the factors that affect its transmittance and adopting techniques to improve its optical performance, we can fully utilize Zerodur's potential in fields such as astronomy, semiconductor manufacturing, and high-precision optics. Jundro continuously explores and innovates the processing technology of zerodur, aiming to provide more customers with excellent zerodur microcrystalline glass products