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Find out more about our custom caesium iodide
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Knight Optical are experts in providing custom caesium iodide solutions. Whether you’re looking for caesium iodide windows, caesium iodide lenses, or even caesium iodide scintillators, our bespoke service is designed to meet your exact specifications.
Understanding the critical role of caesium iodide in applications ranging from imaging to spectroscopy, we ensure that every piece, whether it’s lens, window, or another form, is crafted to the highest standards.
Caesium iodide (CsI) stands out as a versatile material that varies from UV to the Far IR spectrum, boasting the longest IR transmission among common infrared materials, reaching up to 55µm. This characteristic makes caesium iodide not just a component but an element in various optical applications. Its resilience against mechanical and thermal shocks makes caesium iodide a reliable choice; however, it’s vital to note that caesium iodide can degrade in certain conditions, particularly when exposed to moisture.
Our production capabilities are constantly evolving to match the demands of applications of caesium iodide. We’re always keen to push the boundaries to accommodate new challenges. If your project needs something not mentioned here, our technical sales team is ready to assist, ensuring that your custom caesium iodide components are perfectly aligned with your requirements.
Speak to our experts about your Custom Caesium Iodide needs today
Call +44 (0)1622 859444 Call +1 401 583 7846Make a quick enquiry about Custom Caesium Iodide Now
Dive into the forefront of optical solutions. Got questions about an optical product? Reach out now and let our expertise guide you.
Optical Properties and Metrology Testing
Leveraging our in-house, state-of-the-art metrology laboratory, we guarantee that your caesium iodide components will meet and exceed your expectations. This commitment to quality and precision underlines every product we supply. Discover more about our testing facilities here. Please contact our technical sales team who will guide you through your enquiry.
Below is a brief summary of caesium iodide’s optical properties, a full data sheet is available here.
| Transmission Range | 0.25 to 55µm |
|---|---|
| Refractive Index | 1.73916 @ 10µm |
| Density | 4.51 g/cm3 |
| Melting Point | 621°C |
| Hardness | Knoop 20 with 200g indenter |
| Diameter | < 5mm to 50mm + |
|---|---|
| Form error (@633nm) | < 0.25 waves |
| Centration/parallelism | < 1 arc minute |
| Scratch/dig | < 20/10 |
| Typical coatings | BBAR @ 1.2-3µm |
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is caesium iodide and what are its typical applications?
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Caesium iodide (CsI) is a crystalline material commonly used in the optical and radiation detection industries. Due to its high density and effective atomic number, it is particularly useful as a scintillator for detecting gamma radiation. CsI is also employed in optical components like windows and lenses, especially in infrared and deep ultraviolet applications, due to its wide transmission range and ability to withstand harsh environments.
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How does a caesium iodide scintillator work?
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A caesium iodide scintillator works by converting gamma radiation into visible light. When gamma rays enter the CsI crystal, they interact with the material and cause it to luminesce or “scintillate.” This emitted light is then detected and converted into electrical signals, providing valuable data for radiation detection and measurement. CsI scintillators are known for their high light yield and quick response time, making them effective for various radiation detection applications.
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Can I order custom caesium iodide components for specific requirements?
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Yes, custom caesium iodide components can be ordered to meet specific optical or radiation detection requirements. Customizations can include specific dimensions, thicknesses, and shapes, as well as additional features like anti-reflective coatings. Knight Optical offers bespoke CsI components, ensuring they fit perfectly into your unique systems, whether for industrial, medical, or scientific applications.
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What advantages do caesium iodide windows offer in optical systems?
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Caesium iodide windows offer several advantages in optical systems, including broad transmission range from deep ultraviolet to far-infrared wavelengths, high resistance to mechanical and thermal shock, and good scintillation properties. These attributes make CsI windows ideal for spectroscopy, imaging systems, and scintillation detectors, providing clear, precise, and stable optical performance in a variety of environments.
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What are the benefits of using caesium iodide lenses in infrared applications?
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Caesium iodide lenses are beneficial in infrared applications due to their high refractive index, which allows for superior focusing and imaging performance in the IR spectrum. CsI lenses are also relatively soft and hygroscopic, allowing for precision polishing and coating, which enhances their infrared transmission capabilities. They are particularly suited for thermal imaging, IR spectroscopy, and other IR applications requiring high-quality, transparent optical media.
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Where can I purchase caesium iodide optical components for my project?
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Caesium iodide optical components can be purchased from specialized suppliers like Knight Optical, which provides a range of CsI products, including scintillators, windows, and lenses. They offer high-quality, custom-fabricated CsI components tailored to the requirements of various industries, ensuring optimal performance for specific applications. Their expert team can also provide advice and support to help you select the right CsI solutions for your optical or radiation detection needs.
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We are ready and waiting to answer any queries you may have about caesium iodide.
Considerations
Features
Caesium iodide is a very soft material with a hardness of HK20 and therefore can be difficult to polish.
Degradation
Due to the materials’ degradation when in contact with moisture, it is often coated and stored within a desiccator to minimise any interactions with the atmosphere.
Typical Applications
Scintillator
Caesium Iodide can be doped with Thallium to create CsI(Tl) which creates one of the brightest scintillators, emitting at wavelengths that work well with Silicon photodiodes.
Security Imaging Systems
Arrays of CsI (often doped with Thallium) can be used in security imaging systems including baggage scanners.
FTIR Spectrometers
Caesium Iodide is commonly used in infrared spectroscopic windows due to its exceedingly large transmission band.
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With our in-house state-of-the-art metrology laboratory you can be confident that your optical components will meet your requirements. You can find out more about our testing facilities here.
Operating for over 30 years
Knight Optical has been operating for over 30 years, with our managing director Colin Overton at the helm. Over this time, we have become a global leader in the production and distribution of scientific optical components and bringing quality into focus for all of our products and services that we provide.
Our 2022/2023 Catalogue
Inside Knight Optical’s catalogue you’ll find details of the industries we serve as well as the many other services we can offer. It also showcases hundreds of our most popular products, supported by useful technical information, to help you choose the right part for your application.
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