CaF2 Plano-Convex Lenses

A Plano-Convex (PCX) lens is an optical lens characterized by one plane face, one convex face, and a positive focal length. These lenses are used for collecting, focusing collimated light, collimating light from a point source, or reducing the focal length of a lens group. Compared to biconvex lenses, plano-convex lenses have two non-identical sides, making them ideal for infinite absolute conjugate ratios (objective distance: image distance). However, plano-convex lenses still effectively reduce spherical aberrations when the absolute conjugate ratio is greater than 5:1. For conjugate ratios below 5:1, using plano-convex lenses in pairs or opting for a biconvex lens is recommended.

Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) is an excellent optical material due to its high natural transmission from UV to MWIR wavelengths (180-8000nm) with low levels of fluorescence. This makes it widely used in infrared and ultraviolet optical systems. The prominent Laser-Induced Damage Threshold (LIDT) of CaF2 makes it suitable for high-energy detectors and excimer lasers. Additionally, Calcium Fluoride is more mechanically durable and chemically stable than other fluoride counterparts, with a hardness twice that of BaF2. It is not prone to deliquescence and can withstand thermal shock.

Specifications:

Lens Form	Plano-convex Lens
Material	CaF2
Diameters(mm)	12.7-25.4mm (Standard), or Custom
Working Wavelength Range	180-8000nm
Coating	Standard Uncoated, or Custom BBAR/V-coating/MgF2
Surface Quality (S/D)	80/50
Irregularity@632.8nm	λ/4-λ
Centering Error	<2 arc min
Clear Aperture	>80%
Protective Chamfer	0.2mmx45°

 

Features:

1.Wide Transmission Range:

• Ultraviolet to Infrared: CaF2 lenses offer a very wide transmission range, typically from 150 nm in the ultraviolet (UV) to 8 µm in the infrared (IR), making them suitable for a broad spectrum of optical systems.

2.High Optical Performance:

• Low Fluorescence: CaF2 exhibits minimal fluorescence, which is crucial for applications requiring high sensitivity and low background noise, such as UV spectroscopy and imaging.
• Excellent UV Transmittance: The material’s excellent ultraviolet transmittance makes it ideal for UV applications, including UV lithography, laser optics, and UV spectroscopy.

3.High Laser Durability:

• High Damage Threshold: CaF2 has a high laser damage threshold, allowing it to withstand intense laser radiation without significant degradation, making it suitable for use in excimer laser optics and other high-power laser systems.

4.Chemical Inertness and Hardness:

• Chemical Stability: CaF2 is chemically inert, making it resistant to corrosion and degradation from various chemicals and environments.
• High Hardness: Compared to similar materials like barium fluoride and magnesium fluoride, CaF2 has superior hardness, which contributes to its durability and scratch resistance.

5.Customizable and Versatile:

• Multiple Coatings: CaF2 plano-convex lenses can be coated with anti-reflection (AR) coatings optimized for specific wavelength ranges, enhancing their transmission performance and suitability for various applications.
• Custom Sizes and Specifications: Lenses are available in various diameters, focal lengths, and center thicknesses, allowing for customization to meet specific optical system requirements.

6.Wide Range of Applications

• Imaging and Beam Collimation: Due to their positive focal length, CaF2 plano-convex lenses are well-suited for imaging and beam collimation applications, such as telescopes, collimators, and condenser systems.
• Scientific Research and Industrial Applications: Their wide transmission range and high optical performance make them valuable for use in spectroscopic instruments, laser systems, and other optical devices employed in scientific research, industrial manufacturing, and medical diagnosis.

Applications:

• Detectors: Enhancing light collection and focusing.
• Imaging Instruments: Improving image quality and reducing aberrations.
• Lasers: Focusing and collimating laser beams.
• Fiber Lasers: Efficient light coupling and transmission.

Kingwin Optics offers stocked and custom CaF2 Plano-Convex Lenses. In addition to these, you can browse and shop for off-the-shelf N-BK7 Plano-Convex Lenses, off-the-shelf UVFS Plano-Convex Lenses, and custom Plano-Convex lenses made from a wide assortment of optical materials including sapphire, ruby, flint glass, BaF2, Ge, Si, and more. Kingwin Optics is a proficient supplier and manufacturer of optical lens components. The calcium fluoride used to fabricate optical lenses exhibits high purity to ensure minimized OH content, which is harmful to IR transmission. Kingwin Optics also employs a stringent inspection procedure to ensure that the actual parameters of the lenses comply with the published specifications.