Custom Silicon Optical Components

Alfa Chemistry uses monocrystalline silicon (Si) to customize infrared optics, one of the hardest optical materials for transmission in the infrared region. Its low density makes it ideal for weight-sensitive optical systems. All of our custom Si optics are rigorously tested by skilled experts at cutting-edge metrology facilities, giving our customers the peace of mind that their needs will be met. Contact us soon for your customer service!

Our Services

Alfa Chemistry offers high-quality customization of Si components, including windows, lenses and prisms, to customer's custom specifications. We can offer both coated and uncoated bespoke solutions, such as diamond-like carbon coatings and broadband anti-reflective coatings operating at 3 to 5 µm. Since silicon has a transmittance of roughly 50% between 1-6 µm and above 50 µm, AR coatings are advised for higher transmittance, while DLC coatings can be used to increase the longevity of exposed surfaces. The table below lists the average manufacturing requirements for us. Please get in touch with our technical sales team if your needs don't fit the aforementioned description.

Si Windows

Si Prisms

Si Ground Blanks

Applications:

• Thermal Imaging: Thermal imaging applications that require NIR and MWIR often use Si windows and lenses.
• Laser Mirrors: Si is the perfect substrate for reflectors used in devices like CO₂ laser cutters because of its high heat capacity.
• FTIR Spectroscopy: Infrared filters that are built into FTIR spectrometers frequently employ Si as their substrate.
• Infrared Detectors: Because Si optics have a transmission range of 1 to 6 µm, they are frequently utilized for NIR and MWIR detectors.

Fig 1. Optical absorption of Ag þ implanted sapphire crystal. (Kozakiewicz A, et al. 2012)

Silicon's Optical Properties

Si has many advantages, including low dispersion, low density, excellent thermal stability and high thermal conductivity. Si is a perfect material for IR or FTIR applications since it has a refractive index that is almost 3.4 throughout the whole range. Si is frequently used to make infrared windows, IR lens substrates, and filter substrates. Si materials transmit infrared light well in the near- and mid-infrared bands.

Si also has very good chemical and mechanical inertness. The optical grade Si typically has a resistance of 10 to 40 Ohm*cm. To boost its resistivity, optical grade Si is frequently doped with boron (p-type) or phosphorus (n-type).

Below is a quick description of Si's optical characteristics. For more information on the properties of Si materials please click here.

If you need technical advice, please contact our technical team to learn more about our high-quality services.