Glasses and optics

What this is

Glasses and optical crystals used in windows, lenses and sensors.

Radiation can darken them and dust can scratch them, so optical performance after exposure is what counts.

Collections

Grades of one kind compared side by side.

• Optical crystals: Optical crystals (sapphire, ruby, calcium fluoride, lithium fluoride, zinc selenide, zinc sulphide, caesium iodide, cadmium selenide): transmission range, hardness and thermal data with sources.

Types

Pick a type to see its materials.

What matters

The measurements we use to compare glasses and optics. Each one has a standard test and a direction: is higher or lower better?

Materials