What are the application scenarios of quartz optical glass processing?

Quartz optical glass (usually referred to as high-purity Shi Ying glass and Shi Ying optical materials) plays an irreplaceable role in many high-end industrial fields due to its excellent light transmittance, thermal stability, corrosion resistance and low expansion coefficient. Its application scenarios can be systematically combed from the following dimensions.

I. Semiconductor and Integrated Circuit Manufacturing

This is the field with the largest glass consumption and the highest precision requirement in Shi Ying. The objective lens, mask substrate, lens and prism in mask aligner mostly use synthetic Shi Ying glass with low thermal expansion and high uniformity to ensure the refractive accuracy and thermal stability of extreme ultraviolet and deep ultraviolet light paths. Quartz tubes, Shi Ying boats and Shi Ying supports used in etching, thin film deposition and diffusion processes can withstand temperature cycles of thousands of degrees Celsius and corrosive atmosphere for a long time, and the internal hole smoothness, wall thickness uniformity and dimensional tolerance should be ensured during processing. With the increase of wafer size and miniaturization of manufacturing process, the purity (metal impurity content), bubble grade and machining accuracy of Shi Ying glass are almost demanding.

Second, laser and photoelectric technology

Melted Shi Ying glass is widely used in the resonator lens, output mirror, beam expander, fiber coupling lens and optical window of laser processing head in high-power lasers. It can withstand high peak power laser irradiation without obvious thermal distortion and color center, with high transmittance and low absorption rate. Shi Ying glass is also widely used as cladding and supporting structure in the manufacturing process of solid laser crystals and optical fiber preforms. In addition, the protective window used to protect optical components in laser welding, cutting and marking equipment also depends on the high damage threshold characteristics of Shi Ying glass.

Third, optical instruments and imaging systems

In high-precision optical instruments such as microscopes, telescopes, astronomical observation equipment, spectrometers and interferometers, Shi Ying glass is used to make high-precision lenses, reflector substrates, beam splitting elements and protective windows. Its low refractive index temperature coefficient ensures the imaging stability in a wide temperature range, and its chemical stability enables it to maintain its surface smoothness in harsh environment and long-term service. Shi Ying glass is also widely used as the core optical components in aerospace remote sensing cameras, military sights and precision measuring equipment. It is required that the surface roughness after processing should reach nanometer level, and the surface shape accuracy should reach submicron or even better.

Fourth, optical fiber communication and sensing

The core rod and cladding tube of optical fiber preform are made of high purity Shi Ying glass, and communication optical fiber and special optical fiber are made by melt drawing. Fiber optic gyroscopes, fiber grating sensors and high temperature fiber optic sensors rely on the high temperature and radiation resistance of Shi Ying glass and are used in extreme environments such as underground, aerospace and nuclear power. It is necessary to strictly control the geometric size and end surface quality to ensure the transmission loss and sensing sensitivity of light.

V. Ultraviolet and infrared optics and special light sources

Shi Ying glass has very low absorption and high transmittance in ultraviolet band, so it is widely used in ultraviolet light splitting, ultraviolet curing and semiconductor lithography. Shi Ying mercury lamp, ultraviolet germicidal lamp, xenon lamp and other special light sources are all made of Shi Ying glass. At the same time, some specially doped Shi Ying materials can be used in infrared windows and filters for thermal imaging, gas detection and other scenes.

Six, aerospace, military and scientific research

Satellite optical load, laser ranging system, space telescope window and so on require materials to remain stable in vacuum and temperature changes. Shi Ying glass is the first choice for its low thermal expansion and high strength. Precision-processed Shi Ying glass is also widely used in synchrotron radiation devices, beam windows in particle accelerators, vacuum isolation windows, observation windows and seals in the nuclear industry. Shi Ying glass is also the main analytical instrument accessories in scientific research laboratories, such as cuvettes, evaporation crucibles and reaction vessels.

Seven, medical devices and industrial corrosion environment

In the medical field, because of its biocompatibility and chemical corrosion resistance, Shi Ying glass is used to make surgical optical components, endoscope image transmission optical fiber, dental curing lamp and optical components of some analysis and testing equipment. In the high-temperature and corrosion-resistant environment of chemical industry, photovoltaic industry, metallurgy industry, etc., the sight glass, liquid level gauge window, reactor lining and observation window made of Shi Ying glass can work stably for a long time under the conditions of acid and alkali erosion and high temperature. The light guide and diffusion process in photovoltaic industry also rely on large-size Shi Ying products.

To sum up, the processing and application of quartz optical glass spans many high-value fields such as semiconductor, laser, optical communication, precision instruments, aerospace military industry, medical treatment and industrial corrosion resistance. Different scenes have different emphasis on material purity, thermal properties, optical accuracy and mechanical strength, so it is necessary to match the corresponding material selection, grinding and polishing process and testing standards according to the specific application, which is also the fundamental driving force for the continuous development of Shi Ying optical processing industry in the direction of high precision, large size and customization.