BaF₂ (Barium Fluoride) Single Crystal

Advantages:

• Broad optical transmission range: 0.15–12 μm.
• Excellent scintillation properties: fast scintillation component peaked at 195 and 220 nm with sub-nanosecond decay time, suitable for ultrafast timing applications.
• Radiation-hard material: high resistance to γ-rays, protons, and neutrons compared with many other scintillators.
• Non-hygroscopic, chemically stable, and mechanically robust under normal handling conditions.
• Cubic crystal structure (CaF₂-type, Fm3m) with good optical homogeneity.

Typical Specifications:

• Crystal structure: Cubic (CaF₂-type), space group Fm3m
• Transmission range: 0.15–12 μm
• Refractive index: n = 1.45 @ 5 μm (approx.)
• Melting point: 1386°C
• Density: 4.89 g/cm³
• Knoop hardness: ~82 (with 500 g indenter)
• Thermal expansion coefficient: 18.1 × 10⁻⁶/°C @ 273 K
• Thermal conductivity: 11.72 W/(m·K) @ 286 K
• Absorption coefficient: 3.2 × 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ @ 6 μm
• Fast scintillation decay time: sub-nanosecond (component peaked at 195–220 nm)
• Slow scintillation component: peaked at ~310 nm with decay time of ~600 ns
• Young’s modulus: 53.07 GPa
• Poisson’s ratio: 0.343

Main Applications:

• Thermal imaging and IR optics: Windows, lenses, and prisms for the 8–14 μm passive IR band.
• VUV/UV optics: Components for 157 nm lithography and excimer laser systems (e.g., 157 nm, 193 nm, 248 nm).
• Scintillation detectors: Fast-timing radiation detectors for high-energy physics (HEP) experiments, TOF-PET, and gigahertz hard X-ray imaging.
• Spectroscopic instruments: Windows, prisms, and optical elements for UV/VIS/IR spectroscopy.
• Laser systems: Laser windows and optics for excimer and other laser sources.
• Space-borne and astronomical instrumentation: Optical components for telescopes and spectrographs.