Information

Barium Fluoride BaF2 products are well suited for spectral components. Barium Fluoride BaF2 products are generally suitable for applications in the passive IR band (8~14μm) and are often used as thermal imaging windows. For the same thickness, the transmission range of specific calcium fluoride extends further into the IR by about 1 mm. Mainly used for IR applications, and it is noted that windows with IR polishing may have limited transmission performance in VUV made from low-purity BaF2 crystals.

Barium Fluoride BaF2 products are grown by vacuum Stockbarger technology. Unlike CaF2, BaF2 does not exist in a natural state and all materials must be chemically synthesized, making BaF2 relatively expensive to produce. Barium Fluoride BaF2 products crack easily and are very sensitive to thermal shock. It's polished well enough to be etched. Not all crystals are made from the highest grade chemicals; for IR grade optics, lower specifications are sufficient and reduce cost, however transmission in UV and VUV is limited. The highest purity Barium Fluoride BaF2 products VUV materials can be considered fast scintillation grades.