Empty Glass Cells with Angled Windows

Inside Thorlabs: Scientific Glassblowing

Specifications
Item #	GC20	GC50
Cell Lengtha	20.0 ± 3.0 mm	50.0 ± 3.0 mm
Path Lengthb	14.3 ± 3.0 mm	39.9 ± 3.0 mm
Cell Outer Diameter	12.0 ± 0.2 mm	24.0 ± 0.2 mm
Cell Clear Aperture	>Ø8.0 mm	>Ø20.0 mm
Pressure	<10-7 Torr to 5 psi at 25 °C
Fill Tube Length	90.0 mm
Fill Tube Outer Diameter	6.35 mm (0.25")
Window Angle	11.0° ± 1.0°
Window Item #	WW40530	WW41050
Window Flatness	λ
Window Wedge Angle	30 ± 10 arcmin
Window & Cell Substrate	UV Fused Silicac
UVFS Transmission (Click for Plot)
Diagram (Click to View)

• Length of the center of the cell including the windows.
• Length of the center of the cell excluding the windows.
• Click link for detailed specifications on the substrate.

Click to Enlarge
Wedged Windows Seal Off the Empty Cell

Click to Enlarge
Angled Windows Eliminate Etalon Effects

Features

• Glass Cells for Spectroscopy Applications
• Pair of Windows Angled at 11°
  • Keeps Stray Reflections out of Beam Path
  • Compensates for Beam Offset
• Wedged Windows Eliminate Etalon Effects
• Both Ends Include Ø1/2" or Ø1" Windows
• UV Fused Silica Substrate for Cell and Windows
• High Transmission in the UV Spectral Range (See Table to the Lower Right)
• Available with One Tube for Filling
• Custom Design and Manufacturing Services Available (Contact Tech Sales)
• Cells Compatible with our HT10K and TLK-H Resistive Foil Heaters

Thorlabs' Empty UV Fused Silica (UVFS) Cells with Angled Windows provide high transmission from 185 nm to 2.1 µm (see the table to the lower right for a graph of UVFS transmission). The windows are angled (as seen in the family image above) to ensure that stray reflections do not interfere with the beam path. Since the two windows are angled opposite to each other, any beam translation from the first window is compensated by the second window. To eliminate etalon effects, the windows have a 30 arcmin wedge. We also offer other empty cells for a variety of spectroscopic applications as shown in the selection guide below.

Cells are available with one fill tube which is useful when introducing a sample into the cell and sealing it off for measurements. These fill tubes have a 1/4" outer diameter and are compatible with Ø1/4" compression fittings; for more information see the Vacuum Seal tab. As shown in the video to the upper right, custom reference cells can be manufactured upon request, including different cell lengths, cell diameters, or fill tube configurations. Please contact Tech Sales with inquiries.

Each cell is made from UVFS, a rugged material known to resist chipping and cracking, and has high transmission from 185 nm to 2.1 μm. The ends of each cell include either Ø1/2" or Ø1" UVFS wedged windows. All glass cells on this page can hold a vacuum below 10^-7 Torr and withstand pressure up to 5 psi. The post-production cleaning process for these cells consists of an ultrasonic cleaning followed by a methanol rinse. The cell is then connected to a vacuum system and leak tested. The cells are not vacuum sealed when shipped; before using the cell in a vacuum setup, we advise users to follow a similar cleaning process for each cell.

These cells are commonly used in absorption spectroscopy; refer to the Application tab for a general overview of how the cells can be used in this applicaton. We also offer compact and Herriott multipass cells for gas absorption spectroscopy applications, as well as filled and sealed vapor and acetylene reference cells.

Mounting & Heating Options
The glass cells can be mounted in our V-Clamp Mounts, which are available in standard, kinematic, or Ø1.5" post-compatible versions. Please check that the cell diameter is supported by the mount. The VBC2(/M) Post-Mountable Band Clamp can be used to mount the GC50 glass cell without marring. Our HT10K and TLK-H Resistive Foil Heaters can attach to the outside of the glass cells via adhesive backing.

Single-Pass Cells Selection Guide
Empty Glass Cells with Borosilicate Windows	Empty Glass Cells with Textured Antireflective Windows	Empty Glass Cells with Angled Windows	Empty Glass Cells with Brewster Windows	Empty Alumina Cells with Sapphire Windows	Threaded Empty Glass Cells	Threaded Empty Stainless Steel Cells	Vapor Reference Cells	Acetylene Reference Cells	Glass Cell Heaters

Absorption Spectroscopy

The reference substance pumped into the glass cell is associated with a unique absorption spectrum that serves as its fingerprint. The contents of a reference cell can be determined via a linear absorption measurement (as depicted by the simplified schematic below). By scanning a tunable diode laser over a wavelength range and detecting light absorption with a photodetector, a series of peaks will be recorded, which is characteristic of the vapor inside the cell. Please note that we also offer pre-filled and sealed acetylene reference cells, as well as vapor reference cells with quartz or borosilicate substrates.

Click for Details
Disassembled view of a KF25
flange-to-compression-fitting adapter.

Creating a Vacuum Seal with a KF Flange

Thorlabs' empty quartz cells can be used with our KF16 and KF25 Flanged Components and Accessories in order to manage gas flow in and out of the cell. The glass cells that are terminated with one Ø0.25" (Ø6.35 mm) fill tube can be inserted into the KF16C025 or KF25C025 Flange-to-Compression-Fitting Adapter.

To input the glass cell into a KF16 or KF25 vacuum system, follow the instructions below.

1. Select a KF16 or KF25 flange-to-compression-fitting adapter that is compatible with the fill tube diameter of the glass cell.
2. Coat a cleaned and inspected KF16CR-F or KF25CR-F Centering O-Ring in vacuum grease and place it on a base post or pipe.
3. Place the flange-to-compression-fitting adapter on top of the KF16CR-F or KF25CR-F Centering O-Ring and secure them with the KF16WNC or KF25WNC Wing Nut Clamp.
4. Loosen and remove the knurled locking knob, O-ring, and seal ring of the flange-to-compression-fitting adapter so its mating surface can be inspected and the included O-ring can be coated in vacuum grease. This will create a vacuum seal when the cell is inserted into the system.
5. Slide the open end of the glass cell tube through the top (side with the Thorlabs engraving) of the knurled locking knob, seal ring (with the counterbore seat for the O-ring facing the adapter body), and O-ring (in that order) of the flange-to-compression-fitting adapter.
6. Slide the glass tube into the flange adapter body and then slide the O-ring, seal ring, and knurled locking knob down the tube onto the flange adapter body. Tighten the knurled locking knob by hand.

It is not recommended to insert the glass tube into a fully assembled KF Flange-to-compression-fitting adapter. The sharp edges of the glass tube may damage the O-ring, thus causing the seal to fail.