Yttrium Fluoride (YF3) Pieces Overview
We sell these pellets and pieces by unit weight for evaporation use in deposition processes. These approximate materials prices are published to provide budgetary guidelines. Actual prices can vary and may be higher or lower, as determined by availability and market fluctuations. To speak to someone directly about current pricing, please click here .
Yttrium Fluoride (YF3) General Information
Yttrium fluoride is an inorganic chemical compound with a chemical formula of YF3. It is white in appearance with a melting point of 1,387°C and a density of 4.01 g/cc. It is commonly found in various glasses and ceramics. Some users will utilize yttrium fluoride in place of thorium fluoride (ThF4) which is radioactive. Yttrium fluoride is evaporated under vacuum to form antireflective layers in optics and dielectric layers for passive components fabrication.
Yttrium Fluoride (YF3) Specifications
Material Type | Yttrium Fluoride |
Symbol | YF3 |
Color/Appearance | White, Solid |
Melting Point (°C) | 1,387 |
Theoretical Density (g/cc) | 4.01 |
E-Beam Crucible Liner Material | Tantalum, Molybdenum |
Suggested QCM Crystal | Alloy Crystal: 750-1002-G10**** |
**** Suggestion based on previous experience but could vary by process. Contact local KJLC Sales Manager for further information
Empirical Determination of Z-Factor
Unfortunately, Z Factor and Shear Modulus are not readily available for many materials. In this case, the Z-Factor can also be determined empirically using the following method:
- Deposit material until Crystal Life is near 50%, or near the end of life, whichever is sooner.
- Place a new substrate adjacent to the used quartz sensor.
- Set QCM Density to the calibrated value; Tooling to 100%
- Zero thickness
- Deposit approximately 1000 to 5000 A of material on the substrate.
- Use a profilometer or interferometer to measure the actual substrate film thickness.
- Adjust the Z Factor of the instrument until the correct thickness reading is shown.
Another alternative is to change crystals frequently and ignore the error. The graph below shows the % Error in Rate/Thickness from using the wrong Z Factor. For a crystal with 90% life, the error is negligible for even large errors in the programmed versus actual Z Factor.
Thermal Evaporation of Yttrium Fluoride (YF3)
Yttrium fluoride can be thermally evaporated from a box heater such as our EVSSO22. A tantalum baffle box with a perforated top like our EVSSB2 with EVSSB2B can also be used.
Pressure should be monitored to ensure outgassing is at an acceptable level before increasing power. With an evaporation temperature of ~900°C and a base pressure for evaporation of 10-6 Torr, we anticipate a deposition rate of 15 angstroms per second.
Film density and refractive index improve with higher substrate temperatures. Amorphous films with low scatter can be deposited with a substrate temperature below 150°C, but this practice has a negative effect on the refractive index and adhesion of the film. At above 250°C, the films are harder but are stressed and tend to exhibit more scatter. Depending on the film properties desired, we recommend a substrate temperature between 200°C and 250°C.
E-beam Evaporation of Yttrium Fluoride (YF3)
Yttrium fluoride can be e-beam evaporated from either a molybdenum or tantalum crucible liner. We recommend sweeping the e-beam at low power to uniformly melt the material and avoid hole drilling. We suggest evaporating at a low e-beam power to avoid material dissociation. Pressure should be monitored to ensure outgassing is at an acceptable level before increasing the power. With an evaporation temperature of ~900°C, we anticipate a deposition rate of 15 angstroms per second.
Film density and refractive index improve with higher substrate temperatures. Amorphous films with low scatter can be deposited with a substrate temperature below 150°C, but this practice has a negative effect on the refractive index and adhesion of the film. At above 250°C, the films are harder but are stressed and tend to exhibit more scatter. Depending on the film properties desired, we recommend a substrate temperature between 200°C and 250°C.
Another key process note is to consider the fill volume in the e-beam application because we find that the melt level of a material in the crucible directly affects the success of the crucible liner. Overfilling the crucible will cause the material to spill over and create an electrical short between the liner and the hearth. The outcome is cracking in the crucible. This is the most common cause of crucible liner failure. Placing too little material in the crucible or evaporating too much material before refilling can be detrimental to the process as well. When the melt level is below 30%, the e-beam is likely to strike the bottom or walls of the crucible which immediately results in breakage. Our recommendation is to fill the crucible between 2/3 and 3/4 full to prevent these difficulties.
Crucible liners should be stored in a cool, dry place and always handled with gloves or forceps.
See highlighted results that match your result in the table below.
Ordering Table
Material | Description | Size | Quantity | Purity | Color | Part Number | Price | In Stock | Add To Cart | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Material | Description | Size | Quantity | Purity | Color | Part Number | Price | In Stock | Add To Cart | |
Yttrium Fluoride |
YTTRIUM FLUORIDE PIECES, |
1mm-5mm Pieces | 100 g | 99.99% | White to Gray | EVMYFL401-5D | P.O.R. | |||
Yttrium Fluoride |
YTTRIUM FLUORIDE PIECES, |
1mm-5mm Pieces | 1 kg | 99.99% | White to Gray | EVMYFL401-5KG | P.O.R. | |||
Yttrium Fluoride |
YTTRIUM FLUORIDE PIECES, |
1mm-5mm Pieces | 500 g | 99.99% | White to Gray | EVMYFL401-5T | P.O.R. | |||
Yttrium Fluoride |
YTTRIUM FLUORIDE PIECES, |
3mm - 12mm Pieces | 50 g | 99.9% | White | EVMYFL30312B | P.O.R. | |||
Yttrium Fluoride |
YTTRIUM FLUORIDE PIECES, |
3mm - 12mm Pieces | 100 g | 99.9% | White | EVMYFL30312D | P.O.R. | |||
Yttrium Fluoride |
YTTRIUM FLUORIDE PIECES, |
3mm - 12mm Pieces | 500 g | 99.9% | White | EVMYFL30312T | P.O.R. |