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We will shortly be offering a large selection of optical components for the Infrared to Ultraviolet regions of the spectrum in our web shop.

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Our optical components are suitable for a wide range of applications. If you are interested in a particular area, please click on the link below.

Jörg U. Korth, Director Anke Korth, Authorised Officer Hauke Korth, Director

A Family Business

Korth Kristalle GmbH is a family owned business employing highly qualified staff. The business was founded in 1949 by the physicist Dr. Karl Korth, who, at the University of Göttingen, was one of the first European scientists to grow crystals. Today the business is run by the second, and even third generation of the Korth family.

A lot has happened in our business since 1949! We have continued to develop and expand - both our premises and our technical capabilities - and we have invested heavily in the business. As a result, Korth Kristalle today enjoys a global reputation as a leader in the manufacture of optical components employing the latest technology – while nevertheless always staying true to our roots and founding principles.

An Overview of our History

1949	Foundation of the company by the physicist Dr. Karl Korth.
1962	New building at current location.
1968	Son Jörg U. Korth joins company after completing studies in chemistry.
1972	MERCK acquires company, creating new opportunities for research and development.
1974	Extension of factory including air conditioned polishing rooms.
1975	Acquisition of further Bridgman-Stockbarger (named after Percy Williams Bridgman and Donald C. Stockbarger) is a technique used for the production of large single crystals, like fluorides, silicon or gallium arsenide. A crucible filled with raw material powder is inserted into a furnace with different temperature zones. The raw material melts in the hotter part of the furnace. Crystallisation begins when the molten raw material is transferred into a cooler section of the oven. The seed crystals which are oriented along the axis of the crucible grow the fastest. To accelerate this process we use specially shaped crucibles. furnaces and premelting furnaces for fluoride crystal growth.
1983–1985	Acquisition of more land and buildings in neighbourhood. Expansion of crystal growth area into new building; separation of crystal growth and optical finishing. Growth of first big BaF₂ crystals of 150 mm diameter. Investment in more smaller and medium sized furnaces for BaF₂ projects (scintillators). Investment into new machinery for processing big crystals of BaF₂, CaF₂ and others.
1987	First processing of beam splitters by diamond turning.
1988	Start of expansion of growth capacity for fluoride crystals (BaF₂) for TAPS project. Setting up newly designed furnaces and control units.
1989	New Kyropoulos furnace for development of high purity salt crystals for CO₂ laser application.
1990–1992	Improving transmission of fluoride crystals for excimer laser application.
1993	Takeover of company by Jörg U. Korth from MERCK in September (MBO). Foundation of KORTH KRISTALLE GMBH.
1994	CaF₂ crystal development for UV-stepper application at 193 nm.
1995	Participation in several EU-projects for UV-crystal material improvement. Growth of 210 mm diameter fluoride crystals of improved quality from LiF, BaF₂, MgF₂ a.o. (SrF₂, NaF diameter 150 mm). Investment in machinery for processing of crystal materials and in metrology equipment for crystal and surface measurement (quality assurance).
2004	3^rd generation of Korth family takes over responsibility for company together with their father: Anke Korth & Hauke Korth.
2006	New growth process for KRS-5 crystals. ISO 9001:2000 Certification.
2007	New optical workshop for large scale lens production from crystalline materials plus mounting of IR objectives.
2009	60^th anniversary of company`s foundation.

Material

Please click on the link below for more information about our materials or choose from the transmission curve. Here you can select the correct material for your spectral range. Please click on the link on the left.