Single-crystal quartz in detail
一、Definition and formation of single crystal quartz
Single-crystal quartz, a material composed of a single crystal of silicon dioxide (SiO₂), is a common and important mineral crystal in nature. Under natural conditions, it is usually formed in a geological environment of high temperature and high pressure, and the magma is gradually arranged regularly in the process of slow cooling, and after a long period of crystallization and growth, it finally forms a single crystal quartz. In a laboratory setting, it can also be synthesized by a variety of artificial methods, such as gas phase transfer method, hydrothermal method, etc., which enable precise control of crystal growth conditions to obtain high-quality, single-crystal quartz that meets specific needs.
二、Characteristics of single crystal quartz
1. Optical characteristics: It has extremely low optical loss and excellent light transmittance, and has good transmittance in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared bands, especially in the ultraviolet band, which can be used to manufacture high-precision optical lenses, prisms and other optical components.
2. Thermal properties: The extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion and its ability to remain dimensionally stable over a wide temperature range make it indispensable in optical and electronic devices that require high temperature stability, such as mirrors for astronomical telescopes.
3. Mechanical characteristics: high hardness, Mohs hardness up to 7, good wear resistance and compressive strength, can maintain structural integrity in complex environments.
4. Electrical characteristics: It has good insulation properties, stable dielectric constant, and excellent electrical properties under high-frequency electric field, and is widely used in electronic components.
三、Application fields of single crystal quartz
1. Optics: In lithography machines, high-end microscopes, lasers and other equipment, optical lenses and windows made of single crystal quartz can ensure high-precision light transmission and focusing, and are the key components to achieve high-resolution imaging and high-energy laser output.
2. Semiconductor fabrication: Due to its thermal stability and dimensional accuracy, in the lithography process of semiconductor chip manufacturing, single crystal quartz is used as a mask substrate to ensure the precise transfer of the chip pattern.
3. Aerospace: In the optical system and electronic equipment of satellites and spacecraft, single crystal quartz can adapt to the extreme environment of space and ensure the stable operation of the equipment by virtue of its excellent comprehensive performance.
4. Communication: In optical fiber communication, single crystal quartz is the core material for the manufacture of optical fibers, and its low-loss optical characteristics ensure the long-distance and high-speed transmission of optical signals.
