Borofloat 33 Float Glass Wafers Great Roughness Specs

Why Use Borofloat 33 Glass Wafers?

Borofloat 33 (BF33) is often chosen by researchers for its durability and resistance to thermal shock. BF33 including silica has very low coefficients of thermal expansion. BF33 has a much higher melting point, over 1500 degrees fahrenheit, than other glass. BF33's is often used in research lab equipment, as well as optical and lighting applications.

Borfloat 33 will break, but it will not shatter. Thus it's easier to handle when there is an accident.

Borfloat 33 hypoallergenic and doesn't contain any lead.

When you need the following properties BF33 is the right choice!

• Outstanding Thermal Resistance
• Exceptional High-Transparency
• High Chemical Durability
• Excellent Mechanical Strength

Custom Borofloat 33 Specification

UniversityWafer, Inc. can customize your wafer specs. 500 micron thickness for 100mm borofloat 33 wafers. Below a client needed BF33 wafers for bonding with the silicon wafer, and the particle size is required to meet the SEMI standard. We provided 400 micron thick glass.

The below glass wafer spec was used for bonding with the silicon wafer, and the particle size is required to meet the SEMI standard.

4 inch glass wafer (BF33) "SCHOTT"
Diameter: 100 mm±0.1,
Thickness: 400±20 μm
Surface Roughness: <1.5nm (Ra)
TTV: <10 μm,
Surface quality 60/40,
Warpage<20 μm,
Chamfered edges, Flat edges

What Kind of Sensors Use Borofloat 33?

Inertial and MEMS Sensors Temperature & Pressure Sensors are jsut some of the sensors that BF33 wafers are great for!

Borofloat 33 Substrate to Fabricate Pressure Sensors

A MEMS researcher requested the following quote:

Reference #119319 for specs and pricing.

Five Applications of Borofloat in Aerospace

Borofloat glass is highly valued in the aerospace industry due to its unique properties, such as high thermal resistance, low thermal expansion, and excellent optical clarity. Here are five notable applications of Borofloat glass in aerospace:

1. Space Telescope Lenses and Mirrors: Borofloat glass is used in the lenses and mirrors of space telescopes. Its low thermal expansion and high resistance to thermal shock ensure that these components maintain their shape and alignment in the extreme temperature variations of space. This stability is crucial for capturing high-resolution, distortion-free images of celestial bodies.

2. Aircraft and Spacecraft Windows: In aircraft and spacecraft, windows need to withstand significant pressure differences and temperature extremes while providing clear visibility. Borofloat glass, with its high mechanical strength and thermal resistance, is an excellent material for such applications. It ensures the integrity and safety of windows in these high-stress environments, while also offering clarity and resistance to scratching and impact.

3. Instrumentation Panels and Displays: The durability and optical clarity of Borofloat glass make it ideal for use in the instrumentation panels and display screens in both aircraft and spacecraft. These panels need to remain clear and readable in various conditions, including exposure to UV radiation, extreme temperatures, and potential chemical interactions. Borofloat glass can endure these conditions without degrading.

4. Optical Components for Sensors and Cameras: Aerospace applications often require high-precision optical components for sensors and cameras, which are used for navigation, observation, and data collection. Borofloat glass is used in these components due to its excellent light transmission properties, low fluorescence, and stability under temperature changes and radiation exposure common in space environments.

5. Lighting Systems: In aerospace, lighting systems need to be reliable, efficient, and resistant to extreme conditions. Borofloat glass is used in the covers and lenses of these lighting systems due to its high thermal resistance and strength. It can withstand the heat generated by lighting systems and protect sensitive components from harsh environmental conditions.

Overall, Borofloat glass's combination of thermal stability, optical clarity, and mechanical strength makes it an invaluable material in the aerospace industry, significantly contributing to the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of various aerospace applications.

What are Borofloat's Low Thermal Expansion Benefit Micoelectronics?

Borofloat glass's low thermal expansion is particularly beneficial in the field of microelectronics for several reasons:

1. Thermal Stability in Component Manufacturing: During the manufacturing process of microelectronic components, materials are often subjected to high temperatures. Borofloat glass, with its low thermal expansion, remains dimensionally stable under these conditions. This stability is crucial for maintaining the precision and alignment of intricate microelectronic components.

2. Substrate Material for Thin-Film Deposition: In microelectronics, thin films of various materials are often deposited on substrates. Borofloat glass, due to its low thermal expansion, provides an ideal base for these thin films. It minimizes the risk of warping or cracking that can occur if the substrate expands or contracts differently from the thin film, thereby ensuring the integrity of the microelectronic devices.

3. Reduced Stress on Integrated Circuits: Integrated circuits (ICs) are sensitive to thermal stress, which can cause failure or reduce performance. Since Borofloat glass expands and contracts very little with temperature changes, it minimizes the stress on ICs mounted on it. This is particularly important in applications where ICs are exposed to fluctuating temperatures.

4. Improved Heat Management: Effective heat management is crucial in microelectronics to prevent overheating and ensure reliable performance. The thermal stability of Borofloat glass makes it an excellent choice for applications like heat spreaders or cooling substrates, helping to evenly distribute and dissipate heat generated by electronic components.

5. Enhanced Reliability and Longevity: The low thermal expansion of Borofloat glass contributes to the overall reliability and longevity of electronic devices. By reducing the mechanical stress caused by thermal expansion, it helps prevent cracking, warping, or delamination of components, which can lead to device failure.

In summary, Borofloat glass's low thermal expansion is highly advantageous in microelectronics manufacturing and design. It contributes to the production of more reliable, stable, and long-lasting electronic devices by mitigating the effects of temperature variations on materials and components.

How is Borofloat Used in Solar Windows?

Borofloat glass plays a significant role in the development and efficiency of solar windows, a technology that combines the functionality of traditional windows with the ability to generate solar energy. Here's how Borofloat is used in this context:

1. Durability and Weather Resistance: Solar windows must withstand a variety of environmental conditions including temperature fluctuations, UV exposure, and physical impacts. Borofloat glass is highly resistant to thermal stress and chemical corrosion, making it an ideal choice for solar windows that are exposed to the elements.

2. High Optical Clarity: For solar windows to be effective, they must allow light to pass through while also harnessing it for energy production. Borofloat glass offers excellent light transmission across a wide range of wavelengths, which is essential for both visibility through the window and optimal performance of the photovoltaic (PV) cells integrated within the window.

3. Thermal Management: In solar window applications, managing the heat generated by PV cells is crucial to maintain efficiency and prevent damage. The low thermal expansion coefficient of Borofloat glass helps in reducing the stress on the PV cells caused by thermal expansion, thereby enhancing the longevity and performance of the solar windows.

4. Integration with Photovoltaic Materials: Borofloat glass is compatible with various photovoltaic materials and technologies. It can be used as a substrate for thin-film solar cells or as a protective cover glass for crystalline silicon cells and other types of solar modules integrated into windows.

5. Aesthetic Flexibility: Solar windows often need to be aesthetically pleasing, especially when used in residential or commercial buildings. Borofloat glass can be easily tailored in terms of size, shape, and surface finishing, allowing for greater flexibility in design and architecture.

6. Energy Efficiency: By combining the functions of a window and a solar panel, Borofloat-equipped solar windows contribute to the energy efficiency of buildings. They provide natural light while generating renewable energy, reducing the overall energy consumption and carbon footprint of the building.

In summary, Borofloat glass enhances the functionality of solar windows through its durability, optical clarity, thermal management properties, compatibility with PV materials, aesthetic versatility, and contribution to energy efficiency. This makes it a key component in the advancement of solar energy technologies integrated into building designs.

How DoesBorofloat's Benefit The Medical Industry?

Borofloat glass, with its unique combination of chemical resistance, high light transmission, low fluorescence, and excellent flatness, offers several significant benefits to the medical industry:

1. Chemical Resistance for Sterile Environments: In medical settings, materials must withstand rigorous sterilization processes often involving harsh chemicals and high temperatures. Borofloat glass's high chemical resistance ensures it can endure these conditions without degrading. This makes it ideal for use in medical devices and laboratory equipment that require regular sterilization to maintain a sterile environment.

2. High Light Transmission in Diagnostic Equipment: The clarity and high light transmission properties of Borofloat glass are essential in various diagnostic equipment, such as microscopes and imaging devices. These applications require a material that allows for clear, unobstructed observation and precise image capture. The high optical quality of Borofloat glass ensures accurate and reliable results in medical diagnoses.

3. Low Fluorescence for Accurate Analysis: In fluorescence microscopy and other applications where fluorescent labeling is used for analysis, low fluorescence is crucial. Borofloat glass exhibits low inherent fluorescence, reducing background noise in fluorescent imaging. This leads to more accurate and clearer images, which is vital for detailed cellular and molecular studies.

4. Excellent Flatness for Precision Instruments: The exceptional flatness of Borofloat glass is beneficial in the production of precision instruments such as slides and coverslips used in microscopy. This flatness is critical for ensuring consistent focus and image clarity across the entire field of view, which is essential for detailed medical analysis and research.

5. Durability in Harsh Environments: Medical environments can be demanding, with equipment often exposed to extreme conditions. Borofloat glass's durability makes it suitable for use in such environments, ensuring the longevity and reliability of medical instruments and devices.

6. Bio-compatibility: For medical applications that involve direct contact with the human body, such as in certain implantable devices, the bio-compatibility of Borofloat glass is a significant advantage. Its inert nature reduces the risk of adverse reactions, making it safe for use in a variety of medical implants and devices.

7. Versatility in Medical Device Fabrication: Borofloat glass can be precisely cut, shaped, and finished to meet the specific requirements of various medical devices. This versatility allows for its use in a wide range of applications, from laboratory slides to complex components in medical machinery.

In summary, the unique properties of Borofloat glass, such as chemical resistance, high optical transmission, low fluorescence, and excellent flatness, make it a valuable material in the medical industry. It contributes to the accuracy, reliability, and safety of medical diagnostics, research, and treatments.

How Does Borofloat's Clarity and Thermal Stability Benefit Optical Devices?

Borofloat glass's exceptional clarity and thermal stability offer significant benefits to optical devices in several ways:

1. High Optical Clarity for Improved Imaging Quality: The outstanding clarity of Borofloat glass allows for unimpeded transmission of light, which is crucial for the performance of optical devices like lenses, prisms, and windows. This high degree of transparency ensures that images are bright and clear, enhancing the overall quality of optical imaging.

2. Thermal Stability for Dimensional Consistency: Optical devices often operate under varying thermal conditions. Borofloat glass's high thermal stability means that it undergoes minimal expansion or contraction with temperature changes. This dimensional consistency is vital for maintaining the precise alignment of optical components, which is essential for accurate imaging and measurement.

3. Resistance to Thermal Shock: In situations where optical devices are subject to rapid temperature changes, the resistance of Borofloat glass to thermal shock prevents cracking or breaking. This property is particularly important in applications like astronomical telescopes, where night-time cooling can be rapid, or in industrial optical systems exposed to high-intensity light sources.

4. Durability in Harsh Environments: The robustness of Borofloat glass against physical and chemical stressors ensures the longevity and reliability of optical devices, even in harsh environments. This durability is critical for maintaining the performance of precision optical instruments in industrial, scientific, and outdoor settings.

5. Consistent Optical Properties Over a Wide Temperature Range: Borofloat glass maintains its optical properties across a broad temperature spectrum. This consistency ensures reliable performance of optical devices in applications that involve extreme or fluctuating temperatures, such as in space exploration or high-temperature industrial processes.

6. Compatibility with Precision Coatings: Optical devices often require specialized coatings for functions like anti-reflection, filtering, or enhancing light transmission. The surface properties of Borofloat glass make it highly compatible with such coatings, ensuring that they adhere well and perform as intended.

7. Reduced Stress on Optical Assemblies: The low thermal expansion of Borofloat glass minimizes stress on optical assemblies caused by thermal expansion mismatches between different materials. This reduced stress is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity and alignment of complex optical systems.

In summary, the clarity and thermal stability of Borofloat glass make it an ideal material for a wide range of optical devices. These properties enhance the performance, durability, and reliability of optical systems in various applications, from precision scientific instruments to everyday optical tools.