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Silicon

Silicon in comparison to germanium is both abundant and much less expensive. As the most economic IR material, silicon is used primarily for semiconductor applications. It can be produced in either mono or polycrystalline form by the Czochralski crystal growth method, float zone method or casting. Optical grade silicon has very good transmission from 1.2um to 7um. Silicon, unlike germanium, is acceptable as both p-type and n-type for IR applications.

 
 

                      Figure 1: Refractive index as a function of wavelength

 
 

                        Figure 2: External transmittance curve for Silicon

  Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
2
5 °C (/°K)
2.6X10-6
 
  Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) 163
 
  Melting Point (°C) 1690
 
  Density (g/cm3) 2.33  
  Young's Modulus (GPa) 103.91
 
  Poisson's Ratio 0.28
 
  Shear Modulus (GPa) 79.92
 
  Mohs Hardness 7
 
  Table 1:Silicon Thermal and Mechanical Properties
 
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