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Spherometerexperiment

Fused Silica is part of a family of optical materials (along with quartz and fused quartz) which share properties including a high working temperature, high melting temperature and low expansion coefficient.

Each spherometer is measured and supplied with a chart of readings and their corresponding ROC calculation. Using the spherometer is very easy. Start by placing the device on a reference flat and turn the front ring around the gauge until the needle on the dial indicator is pointing at 0. Lift the spherometer by the base and gently set it down on the surface to be tested. Look at the new reading on the spherometer. If your surface is concave (as in most telescope mirrors) the dial indicator will read to the left of the zero (for example, if the needle is pointing at "78" your reading will be 0.022"). Find the corresponding reading on your spherometer reading chart to find the radius of curvature for this surface. You can also use our handy Spherometer Calculator.

Spherometeris used to measure

Because of its low coefficient of thermal expansion, fused silica is also used in the production of precision mirror substrates, semiconductors and laboratory equipment.

To find out more about fused silica windows from UQG Optics, or any of our optical windows call us on 01223 420329 or email our sales team at info@uqgoptics.com

Fused silica offers extremely efficient wave transmission on the ultraviolet spectrum, so is commonly used in the manufacture of UV windows, UV lenses and optics.

Spherometerleast count

Fused silica was use to fabricate some of the windows on the International Space Station and, because of its high temperature resistance, it was also used on the space shuttles.

Generally for using the material in the UV ultraviolet below 250nm, Fused Silica would be more suitable material for greater transmission in this wavelength.

Digitalspherometer

Many basic properties of fused silica are the same as fused quartz, yet there are some differences that determine which material should be used for certain applications.

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Spherometerformula

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The term “fused silica” is often used interchangeably with the term “fused quartz”. However, fused silica exhibits superior optical and thermal properties which are distinct from fused quartz (and other types of glass) due to its very high level of purity (99.9999%). This is because of its manufacture from one single ingredient.

Spherometermeasures

Silica in its basic form – SiO2 – is the most common constituent of the earth’s crust, estimated at 60% of the material up to the first 10 miles of depth.

Because fused silica is stable for short periods at temperatures of up to 1200 degrees Celsius, it can be used in a variety of applications such as solar cells and batteries where operating temperatures are extreme.

Spherometerphysics

Spherometerdiagram

Small differences in purity can affect the transmission characteristics of the final product, which, for instance are superior in the UV range for fused silica compared to fused quartz.

Because of its strength, fused silica has been used in various extreme conditions such as in deep sea submersible craft and space craft.

In Europe, the highest grades of transparent fused silica glass are made from rock crystal known as geyserite which is found in Iceland, Germany, Sweden and elsewhere.

Posted by Kelvin Biggs, Managing Director  | 25th November 2020  | Optical Products

A spherometer is a tool used to measure spherical curvatures. They work great for measuring the radius of curvature (ROC) of your mirror as you progress through the grinding process, allowing you to determine if your ROC is getting longer or shorter. You can also use one to measure the radius of curvature of an unknown surface. They work by using three balls as feet that find a plane on your mirror's surface and a central probe, provided by a dial indicator, that measures the depth. Using a little bit of math, one can determine the radius of curvature of the mirror based the depth measurement and the radius of the spherometer's feet.

It is a non-crystalline glass form of silicon dioxide which is manufactured by melting crystalline silica such as sand or rock crystal.

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