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Knight Optical offers a wide range of high-quality sodium chloride optics, including sodium chloride lenses and windows, specifically to meet diverse application needs.
Sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as rock salt, is renowned for its excellent optical properties, notably its broad transmission range from 200nm to 15µm and a refractive index of sodium chloride that ensures high clarity and minimal optical distortion.
At Knight Optical, we understand the critical nature of optical performance, which is why our sodium chloride lenses and other optical components are created to provide optimal refractive index consistency. Whether you’re looking for standard or custom solutions, our dedicated team is here to assist with your specific requirements, ensuring your optical components like sodium chloride ground blanks and windows meet the precise sodium chloride refractive index specifications needed for your projects.
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Optical Properties of Sodium Chloride
For those in need of coated optics, we offer a range of coatings, including broadband antireflective (BBAR) coatings, to improve the performance of our sodium chloride optics. Our commitment to quality and customer service ensures that whether you require a single sodium chloride lens or a comprehensive set of optics, Knight Optical is your trusted partner in precision optics.
Our sodium chloride optical components are designed for precision and reliability, with each piece thoroughly tested in our cutting-edge metrology lab to ensure they meet the high standards expected by our clients. The NaCl refractive index plays a crucial role in the performance of our optics, making them ideal for a variety of applications, from scientific research to medical instruments.
If your specific requirements are not listed, please contact our technical sales team, who will guide you through your enquiry, ensuring your optical components perfectly match the sodium chloride refractive index and other specifications needed for your application.
Below is a brief summary of sodium chloride’s optical properties, a full data sheet is available here.
| Transmission Range | 0.2 to 16µm |
|---|---|
| Refractive Index | 1.49065 @ 10.6µm |
| Density | 2.17 g/cm3 |
| Melting Point | 801°C |
| Hardness | Knoop 18.2 in <100> with 200g indenter |
| Operating Temperature | < 400°C in dry environment |
| Diameter | < 5mm to 200mm |
|---|---|
| Form error (@633nm) | < 0.25 waves |
| Centration/parallelism | < 1 arc minute |
| Scratch/dig | < 80/50 |
| Typical coatings | BBAR @ 1-16µm, DLC @ 1-16µm |
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the refractive index of Sodium Chloride (NaCl)?
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The refractive index of Sodium Chloride varies with the wavelength of light used. However, it is generally around 1.5 for visible light. This property makes NaCl optics suitable for various applications where light bending is required.
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Why are Sodium Chloride optics used in infrared applications?
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Sodium Chloride optics are popular in infrared applications due to NaCl’s high transmission rates in the IR spectrum, making them ideal for IR spectroscopy and thermal imaging systems.
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How does the optical performance of Sodium Chloride compare to other materials?
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Sodium Chloride offers excellent transparency in the infrared range, which is superior for specific applications compared to materials with lower IR transmission. However, it is softer and more hygroscopic, requiring careful handling and storage conditions.
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Can Sodium Chloride lenses withstand high temperatures?
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Sodium Chloride lenses can operate at higher temperatures than some other optical materials but are susceptible to moisture and should be protected from exposure to humid environments to prevent degradation.
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What are the common applications of Sodium Chloride optics?
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Common applications include thermal imaging, IR spectroscopy, and other IR applications where high transmission in the infrared range is crucial. NaCl optics are chosen for their performance in these specific wavelengths.
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How do you care for and clean Sodium Chloride optics?
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Due to its hygroscopic nature, Sodium Chloride optics should be stored in a dry, controlled environment and should be cleaned with care, avoiding any solvents that might dissolve or damage the surface.
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Additional Information
Crystalline growth
Sodium chloride is grown via the Kyropoulos method and, under humidity-controlled conditions, can be highly polished.
Cost
It is a relatively low cost material.
Shock resistance
NaCl is relatively resistant to mechanical and thermal shock.
Considerations
Hygroscopic
Sodium chloride is hygroscopic, so requires protection from atmospheric conditions due to moisture degradation. A hydrophilic coating can help protect it from ‘fogging’ up when in contact with moisture.
Careful handling
It requires very careful handling as, with a hardness of HK18.2, it is extremely soft.
Water
Do not clean NaCl optics with water.
Coatings
BBAR
We can offer broadband antirelective (BBAR) coatings for your sodium chloride.
Typical Applications
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
NaCl optics, including cell windows, are used in FTIR spectrometers, due to its wide transmission range into the infrared region. They can be used to hold non-polar liquid samples, which will not degrade the material.
High-powered laser systems
Sodium chloride windows can be used in high-powered laser systems, such as CO2 lasers due to its low absorption. They are often used to protect other laser optics such as zinc selenide or YAG focussing lenses.
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Knight Optical has been operating for over 30 years, with our managing director Colin Overton at the helm. Over this time, we have become a global leader in the production and distribution of scientific optical components and bringing quality into focus for all of our products and services that we provide.
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