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Vapor Reference Cells![]()
GC25075-RB Ø25.4 mm Borosilicate Cell with Rubidium Gas GC19100-I Ø19 mm Quartz Cell with Iodine Gas Application Idea The perpendicular 16 mm cage system mounted using the SP30 Adapter Plate can be used to detect fluorescence from the vapor cell, which is mounted in a GCH25-75 Glass Cell Heater. Related Items ![]() Please Wait ![]() Features
![]() Click to Enlarge GC251 Glass Cell Shown with Two GCH25R Heater Caps
Reference cells contain vapors of specific atomic elements or molecular compounds, each of which has a well-defined absorption spectrum. These cells are commonly used in spectroscopic applications such as tunable diode laser calibration, stabilization of laser frequencies, and calibration of wavelength meters. Thorlabs offers both borosilicate and quartz reference cells that contain a range of standard fill materials. Custom reference cells can be manufactured upon request. Since each fill material 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 above). By scanning a tunable diode laser over a wavelength range and detecting light absorption (A) with a photodetector, a series of peaks will be recorded, which is characteristic of the vapor inside the cell. All of the cells offered here have been baked and evacuated to 10-8 Torr in order to remove contaminants prior to filling. Additionally, each cell is helium leak checked to ensure the longevity of the vapor cell. The vapor pressure of the alkali metal will cause it to migrate throughout the cell and condense at the coolest area. Heating the windows of the cell rather than the cell body will help ensure the windows stay warmer and thus the alkali will collect elsewhere. If obstruction of the optics becomes an issue, apply cooling to an area on the cell body, such as near the fill stem, and heat the windows in an alternating fashion to drive the metal from the window surfaces and collect it at the cool spot. The metal may eventually move back to the windows depending on how the cell is heated. Mounting & Heating Options Related Items Please note: These reference cells are subject to hazardous goods regulations and must be shipped separately using specifically regulated shipping methods and may require special shipping and handling charges. Next day delivery is not available. All orders will ship from our US warehouse regardless of destination and cannot be returned. Due to hazardous materials shipping regulations, we are currently unable to ship our reference cells to Brazil, China, or Uruguay. Borosilicate Reference Cells
Quartz Reference Cells
![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge Borosilicate Glass Transmission These reference cells are fabricated from borosilicate glass, a rugged material known to resist chipping and cracking. They are tested to ensure that the transmission through the cell exceeds 84% for light in the 350 nm to 2.2 µm range. MSDS sheets are available and can be found by clicking on the red Docs icon ( To apply heat to the cell, consider our selection of glass cell heaters. ![]() Thorlabs' quartz reference cells feature UV fused silica windows for superior transmission in the UV spectral range. The windows, which are angled to compensate for beam offset, are designed with a 2 degree wedge so as to eliminate etalon effects. Although quartz will survive temperatures up to 800 °C, the reference vapor will be consumed by reactions with the wall of the cell at temperatures significantly lower than quartz's melting temperature. MSDS sheets are available and can be found by clicking on the red Docs icon ( To apply heat to the cell, consider our selection of glass cell heaters. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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