Single-Crystal Wafers & Substrates
Single-Crystal Quartz Substrates
Single-crystal quartz blanks and polished optical substrates for waveplates, birefringent prisms, and polarization optics.
- Germany-based supplier and manufacturing partner
- Manufacturing to customer specifications
- Optical inspection and measurement against specified requirements
- From single components and prototypes to repeat supply
Product overview
Single-crystal quartz (α-quartz, SiO₂) is a positive uniaxial crystal with birefringent and optically active properties. Unlike fused silica, it has a defined crystal structure and distinct ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices.
These properties make properly oriented quartz blanks and polished substrates suitable starting materials for manufacturing waveplates, birefringent prisms, optical rotators, and other polarization components.
Key advantages
- Intrinsic birefringence and optical activity
- Broad optical transmission from the UV through the near-infrared
- Good mechanical hardness and chemical stability
Properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Optical character
- Positive uniaxial; birefringent
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 2.65 g/cm³
- Transparency range
- 0.15–4 µm, depending on material grade and sample conditions
- Thermal conductivity
- 10.7 W/(m·K) parallel to the c-axis; 6.2 W/(m·K) perpendicular to the c-axis (at 323 K)
- Thermal expansion coefficient
- 7.1 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ parallel to the c-axis and 13.2 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ perpendicular to the c-axis (0–25 °C)
- Young's modulus
- 97.2 GPa parallel to the c-axis and 76.5 GPa perpendicular to the c-axis
- Solubility in water
- Insoluble
Refractive Index
| Wavelength (µm) | Ordinary Index (nₒ) | Extraordinary Index (nₑ) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5893 | 1.54424 | 1.55335 |
| 0.9914 | 1.53514 | 1.54392 |
| 1.3958 | 1.52977 | 1.53832 |
| 1.6815 | 1.52583 | 1.53422 |
| 2.0531 | 1.52005 | 1.52823 |
Typical applications
- Laser polarization control and wavelength tuning
- Birefringent filters and optical rotators
- Polarization-sensitive spectroscopy and optical metrology
- UV, visible, and near-infrared optical instrumentation
- Optical coating substrates and selected thin-film research
View related products
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For VUV/UV optics, spectroscopy, and thin-film research, with options for custom crystal orientations, dimensions, and polished surfaces.
Optical Prisms
For beam steering, image rotation, dispersion, and beam splitting, with options for custom geometries, materials, and optical coatings.
Optical Windows
Flat, wedged, tubular, and Brewster window configurations, including chip-free, unchamfered edge options.
RFQ PREPARATION
What to send for a quote
Please send your drawing or technical specification together with the following information.
- Required crystal grade or operating wavelength range
- Crystal orientation or cut and required orientation tolerance
- Dimensions, thickness, and dimensional tolerances
- Surface finish, surface quality, parallelism, and machining allowance
- Required quantity