Optical Materials

Introduction

This document provides data on materials that are used for optical components (mirrors, lenses, and windows) in different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Mirrors

X-rays
Ultraviolet     aluminum
Visible         aluminum
Near infrared   gold
infrared        copper, gold

Lenses

X-rays
Ultraviolet     fused silica (synthetic quartz), sapphire
Visible         glass, sapphire
Near infrared   glass, sapphire
infrared        CaF2, ZnSe

Windows

X-rays          beryllium
Ultraviolet     fused silica, sapphire
Visible         glass, sapphire
Near infrared   glass, sapphire
infrared        NaCl, BaF2, CaF2, ZnSe

Refractive index of some optical materials