Barium Fluoride - BaF2

Barium fluoride (BaF2) is a crystalline compound with a cubic crystal structure. It has a high optical transmittance in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Some of the key optical properties of barium fluoride include:

1. High refractive index: Barium fluoride has a relatively high refractive index of 1.48, making it a useful material for optical components such as lenses and prisms.

2. Low dispersion: Barium fluoride has a low dispersion, meaning that it is able to transmit light of different wavelengths without significant color separation or distortion.

3. High transmittance: Barium fluoride has a high transmittance across a wide range of wavelengths, making it useful for applications in spectroscopy and imaging.

4. Low absorption: Barium fluoride has a low absorption coefficient, which means that it is able to transmit light with minimal loss. This property makes it useful for optical components in high-power laser systems.

5. High thermal stability: Barium fluoride has a high thermal stability, allowing it to be used in high-temperature applications without significant degradation of its optical properties.

Overall, the combination of high transmittance, low absorption, and low dispersion makes barium fluoride a useful material for a variety of optical applications, including lenses, prisms, windows, and mirrors.