Our Fused Silica productportfolio:

SQ Fused Silica for optics and laser markets

After the acquisition and implementation of former Schott Lithotec fused silica process, j-fiber now manufactures and markets its own fused silica under the brand SQ to optics and laser markets, as well as for use in technical applications and lithography.

Our SQ fused silica with excellent optical physical properties is extremely pure and particularly suitable
for the demanding applications in the optical and laser industries. We offer SQ fused silica as component or ingot in different quality levels (grades: SQ0, SQ1, QT, as well as in excimer subgrades) along with different surface options. The different quality levels can be adapted to all kinds of individual customer’s needs and complete the application range of optics from NIR to DUV with a very good transmission beyond 185 nm.

Features. Benefits.

• Excellent UV transmittance > 185 nm
• High laser durability
• High refractive index homogeneity: additional 3D option
• High temperature and temperature change stability
• Low stress birefringence
• Very low thermal expansion coefficient
• Very low fluorescence due to high OH and H₂ content
• Inert against most chemical substances

Application.

• Excimer laser optics and beam deliveries
• DUV and DUV optics components
• Standard optics (VIS and NIR)
• UV-rods, preforms and optical fibers
• Laser fusion
• Technical applications: silica vessels, windows
• Micro-/Lithographic applications: stepper lenses, photo mask blanks, wafer, and Litho optics

Grades:

Different material grades are characterized in the functional direction by:

• Very low inclusion / bubble levels
  
• Low levels of refractive index variations and local in-homogeneities especially striae

Excimergrades:

• Excimer grades are available for 193 nm and 248 nm
• Excellent transmission at 193/ 248 nm
• Guaranteed very low fluorescence (qualified by laser induced fluorescence at 193 nm).
• Excellent resistance against high-energy radiation
• Excimer grade also available as 3D material (SQ0-E193 or 248)

Quality assurance

All material tests and selections are subject to comprehensive quality planning and assurance, based on years of experience in fused silica manufacturing.

Our SQ fused silica is being offered with of 100% control of, stress birefringence, striations, striae, bubbles, and inclusions. We utilize statistical control of homogeneity, refractive index, transmittance, laser induced fluorescence, trace-elements and OH-content.

Quality levels

• SQ0: is a 3D-Material and thereby free of striations in any functional direction. It is recommended for high-end resolution requirements in optical elements such as prisms and lenses.
  
• SQ1: exhibits a high homogeneity and has no striations in the functional direction. This grade is the first choice for all applications with one main functional direction. Examples of typical applications are optical elements such as lenses, windows and wafers.
  
• SQT: is not specified concerning homogeneity, striae and striations. This grade is recommended for technical applications. Typical applications are: windows, materials for glass blowing products (e.g. chambers, boats) as well as components for the high-temperature range.

Please contact our technical experts or sales team for further information.