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Lithium Fluoride (LiF) is commonly used for optical components in wide spectrum band from the vacuum ultraviolet to the infrared, since Lithium Fluoride (LiF) is transparent over the entire range of wavelengths (from 0.104 µm to 7.0 µm).
Lithium Fluoride (LiF) refractive index is the lowest of all common infrared materials. Lithium Fluoride (LiF) possesses the highest UV transmission of any material, it transmits in the vacuum ultraviolet range at the hydrogen Lyman-alpha line (121nm). Lithium Fluoride (LiF) optical parts of infrared devices work without protective coverings.
When heated to 400 °C, Lithium Fluoride (LiF) gets corroded by water, but in dry environment Lithium Fluoride (LiF) can be used up to 600 °C. Lithium Fluoride (LiF) is sensitive to thermal shock. Irradiation produces color centers. Lithium Fluoride (LiF) is slightly plastic, that's why it can be bent into radius plates. Lithium Fluoride (LiF) can be cleaved. Due to its wide band gap Lithium Fluoride also has a very high electrical resistance. Lithium Fluoride (LiF) is soluble in HDF and other acids, it can be cleaned with alcohol.
Lithium Fluoride (LiF) is used for production of windows, prisms, lenses and other optical items in the range from the vacuum ultraviolet to the infrared or as active laser element, passive Q-switch. Lithium Fluoride (LiF) crystals with reflecting surface of (100) are used as standards or monochromators in X-ray field.
We use for our optics high quality Lithium Fluoride (LiF) crystals growth on the Czochralsky and Bridgman Methods and supply high transparency and low loss optical windows, prisms, lenses, and other optical Lithium Fluoride (LiF) components. Lithium Fluoride (LiF) is sold in two qualities (monodomain and polydomain) and in two grades - IR- and UV-grade.
Impex supply following Lithium Fluoride (LiF) optics:
LiF blanks
LiF windows
LiF lenses
LiF prisms