Optical Diffusers
Unparalleled Quality
Optical diffusers that can take you to Mars and back
Firebird Optics is the proud US distributor of IQS GmBH, the German manufacturer of the world’s highest quality optical diffusers.
Made from patented Diffusil® material, Firebird and IQS are already supplying sectors as diverse as NASA, various solar panel producers and water treatment facilities. Our optics are already exploring the solar system and are integrated into the Perseverance probe currently on the surface of Mars.
Diffusil® is Space Approved
The “Scannable Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals” is nicknamed “SHERLOC”
This scientific instrument is mounted on the robotic arm of the rover “Perseverance” and will use spectrometers, a laser and a camera to search for organic substances and minerals on Mars.
SHERLOC is designed to find possible signs of earlier microbial life on Mars. The optical calibration targets are made from our Diffusil®-UV material and can be found mounted on the rover’s arm.
In extensive tests at NASA, Diffusil®-UV has proven to be long-term stable even under the rough conditions of space.
More information: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/
Diffusil-grade optical diffusers have the following advantages:
Ultra-homogenous distribution of gas bubbles in the material, which makes for unparalleled reproducibility.
Monomodal bubble size distribution (approximate diameter 4µm).
No water / OH-groups in the material (no absorption bands in the NIR-wavelengths range).
Ultra high purity (fused silica).
Tunable opacity (scattering behavior, transmission, reflection).
Other competing diffuser materials are unable to offer the same advantages of IQS Diffusil®:
PTFE is an organic, cost-effective material for diffusers and was the industry standard for decades. Its critical weakness is that it breaks down with UV radiation. Also, it is not tunable or mechanically stable as it is a plastic. Diffusil® offers UV-resistance, can be tuned and is mechanically stable.
Sandblasted glass- cost-effective but the disadvantages are that the surface quality is rough and collects dirt, which leads to light-scattering and unreliable results. Diffusil® provides unparalleled surface quality and minimal light scattering.
Laminated soda-lime glass with an opaque layer- these are higher-quality diffusers and offer good scattering properties. The downside is that they are not tunable like Diffusil and they are not able to be used in UV applications as these are made from standard glass.
Other opaque quartz/glass fused silica suppliers:
Standard opaque quartz glass (no fused silica)- not great for diffusers as the opacity differs strongly from batch to batch. Purity is lacking, which causes issues in the UV range.
Opaque fused silica- this is the only close competition to the Diffusil® material. These are good but they contain OH, which causes absorption bands in the NIR range. These types of materials are nearly triple the cost of Diffusil® and carry long leadtimes of 12-18 weeks. Diffusil® lacks the OH bands and can be delivered in approximately 6 weeks.
Firebird Optics can provide you with the perfect diffuser for your needs. Make sure to specify the dimensions, polishing specs and sanding/grit and we can get back to you with a quote.
Please read on for additional information:
Firebird Optics Diffusil® Diffuser Product Information
Fibebird Optics Diffusil® Technical Information
Drop us an e-mail at info@firebirdoptics.com and let’s build your project together.
