Optical constants of BaF2 (Barium fluoride)
Zheng et al. 2023: n 0.22–1.7 µm; 368 °C
Wavelength:
µm
(0.22–1.7)
Complex refractive index (n+ik)
n
k
LogX
LogY
eV
Derived optical constants
Dispersion formula
$$n^2-1=\frac{0.64336λ^2}{λ^2-0.057789^2}+\frac{0.49118λ^2}{λ^2-0.10595^2}+\frac{3.8261λ^2}{λ^2-46.386^2}$$Conditions & Spec sheet
n_is_absolute: false wavelength_is_vacuum: false temperature: 367.9 °C
Comments
367.9 °C. The supplementary materials of the original publication contain coefficients of the Sellmeier formula for multiple temperatures in the range of 21 °C to 368 °C.
References
Q. Zheng, X. Wang, D. Thompson. Temperature-dependent optical properties of monocrystalline CaF2, BaF2, and MgF2, Opt. Mater. Express 13, 2380–2391 (2023) (See Supplementary materials)
Data
INFO
Barium fluoride, BaF2
BaF2, or barium fluoride, is a crystal that offers a wide transmission range, spanning from the ultraviolet into the mid-infrared regions. This material is commonly used in specialized optical applications such as scintillators in high-energy physics experiments, and as windows and lenses in infrared spectroscopy systems. It possesses a relatively low refractive index and high resistance to radiation damage, which makes it especially useful in extreme conditions. Additionally, BaF2 has fast scintillation response times, making it advantageous in fast-timing applications. One drawback, however, is that the crystal is hygroscopic, making it sensitive to moisture and requiring proper storage and handling to maintain its optical properties. It also has a lower resistance to thermal and mechanical shock compared to other fluoride crystals, which can be a consideration depending on the intended application. Despite these limitations, BaF2 remains a highly valuable material for specialized optical and photonic applications, owing to its broad transmission range and resilience to high-energy radiation.Other names
- Barium difluoride
- Barium(II) fluoride