Unique Optical Properties - Zenith Polymer® / Spectralon®

Diffuse Reflecting Materials (PTFE)

SphereOptics is the supplier of diffuse reflecting material Zenith Polymer. Manufactured in Germany, Zenith Polymer is a PTFE-based material that delivers the highest diffuse (Lambertian) reflectance in the spectral range 250 nm to 2500 nm. The material is resistant to harsh environments and exposures and its unique optical properties, when produced under strict clean conditions, makes it the ideal lambertian reflection material for standards, targets and laser cavities.

SphereOptics is also the distributor for Labsphere´s Spectralon diffuse reflection material, which is manufactured in the USA. Spectralon has very similar optical properties as Zenith Polymer and both materials, Zenith Polymer and Spectralon, feature the highest diffuse reflectance available on the market.

Products based on Zenith Polymer and Spectralon are reflectance standards (Zenith Polymer with metric dimensions; Spectralon with inch dimensions), full material reflectance targets, wavelength standards, integration spheres and OEM reflector parts.
Unique products available using Zenith Polymer are Zenith Lite reflectance targets, white and grey diffuser material and reflection foils. Additional products based on Spectralon, are colour and fluorescence standards.
SphereOptics offers NIST and PTB traceable calibrations for both materials. Further services include cleaning, attaching double-sided tap and stamping is provided by SphereOptics.

Applications of these Materials are:

• LiDAR
• “White referencing” of sensors, cameras and spectrometers
• Integration sphere for detectors, lighting and NIR & IR analytical devices
• Cosine diffuser for detectors
• Reflectance targets and Lambertian sources for remote sensing applications
• Diffuser for space applications
• Material for vacuum applications
• Reflectance targets for high power laser beam characterization
• Pump chamber reflectors for solid state laser cavities

Mechanical / Chemical properties

• After sintering, material is easy to machine
• Operation & storage temperature range: – 50 °C to 250 °C
• Operation & storage humidity range: 5 % to 95 %, water absorption bands might become visible
• Standard pore sizes: ~ 6 μm
• Surface roughness: 3 – 25 μm
• Density: 1.3 g/cm3 to 1.5 g/cm³ (depending on the product)
• Non-polar, insulator
• Hydrophobic
• Chemically inert, exception: reacts with organic Lithium and Sodium compounds

Optical Properties

• Effective spectral range: 250 nm – 2500 nm
• Reflectance: > 99 % from 350 nm – 1500 nm, > 95 % from 1500 nm – 2500 nm
• Absorbance: < 20% above 2700 nm
• Atmospheric UV resistance
• Nearly ideal lambertian, diffuse reflectance
• Nearly ideal diffuse transmittance
• Uniform BRDF over all angles
• No absorption bands in the range of 250 – 2500 nm
• Laser damage threshold: 7 J/cm²  pulsed Laser, 10 W/cm² cw Laser
• Vacuum compatible to 10-7 mbar