Quartz Slides and Coverslips

Many applications require microscopy slides and coverslips that have absolute UV transparency and high temperature resistances. The quartz microscope slides and coverslips are of highest quality fused quartz glass to meet all of the following requirements.

• The window of highest transparency to UV is between 0.15µ to 5µ.
• Typical flatness measured 2 to 4” bands per inch.
• Soften point is about 1250°C (2282°F).
• Standard microscope slide thickness is 1 mm.
• Standard coverslip thickness is 0.2 mm.

Quartz microscope slides and coverslips are made of GE124 electrically fused quartz.

Typical Trace Element Composition (ppm by weight)

Optical transmission properties provide a means for distinguishing among various types of vitreous silica as the degree of transparency reflects material purity and the method of manufacture.

UV Cutoff

The transmission curve illustrates that GE124 fused quartz has a UV cutoff (1 mm thickness) at < 200nm and a small absorption at 245nm.

High IR Transmission

The IR edge falls between 4.5 and 5.0 micrometers for a 1 mm thick sample.

GE 214/124 electrically fused quartz is a very efficient material for the transmission of infrared radiation. Its infrared transmission extends out to about 4µm with little absorption in the 'water band' at 2.73µm. This makes Momentive Performance Materials's electrically fused quartz different than flame fused quartz (often referred to as 'wet' quartz). This difference is seen in the transmission for the IR range. The IR Transmission figure illustrates this difference.

Conversion to other thicknesses can be accomplished with the following formula:

T = (1-R)2 e -at

Where:
T = percent transmission expressed as a decimal.
R = surface reflection loss for one surface.
e = base of natural logarithms
a = absorption coefficient, cm-1
t = thickness, cm

Index of Refraction for Fused Quartz

Graphs compliments of supplier.