SF₆ (Sulphur hexafluoride)

Gases

1 dataset, together covering 0.6–1.3 µm. Default: Vukovic et al. 1996: n 0.6–1.3 µm.

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Tick datasets in the list to add them to the plot (up to 12).

Datasets

Vukovic et al. 1996: n 0.6–1.3 µm n 0.6–1.3 µm default

Use it in Lightsmith

Load this data in Python, simulate in one more line

pip install lightsmith

import lightsmith as ls

# SF6 (Sulphur hexafluoride): Vukovic et al. 1996: n 0.6–1.3 µm
sf6 = ls.fetch_refractiveindex("main", "SF6", "Vukovic", ref="c5c2f188e848453def5970e347399d653df2ffc2")
print(sf6.range_nm)  # (600, 1300) nm
eps = sf6.eps([633])  # complex permittivity

Downloads the original record once (pinned to the imported snapshot) and caches it.

import json, urllib.request
import lightsmith as ls

url = "https://materials.lightsmith.dev/v1/datasets/ds_d7012244f999/lightsmith"
sf6 = ls.Tabulated.model_validate(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(url)))
print(sf6.source)  # citation and provenance travel with the data

Any dataset here, as the library's Tabulated material (sf6/vukovic-1996).

# ... load sf6 as above, then:
sim = ls.Simulation(
    particles=[ls.Particle(shape=ls.Sphere(radius_nm=50), material=sf6)],
    medium_index=1.0,
    wavelengths=ls.WavelengthRange(start_nm=600, stop_nm=1000, num=81),
)
res = ls.solve(sim)  # exact Mie for a sphere
print(res.q_ext)     # extinction efficiency at each wavelength

Same spec runs with DDA, FDTD, BEM or T-matrix: ls.compare(sim, ["mie", "dda"]).

Materials guide Open a sphere of it in Studio Quick start Ask the community

Lightsmith is open source (MIT): Mie, T-matrix, BEM, DDA, FDTD, RCWA, TMM, mode solvers and inverse design behind one spec, on CPU or GPU. GitHub.

About SF6 (Sulphur hexafluoride)

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic, and non-flammable gas that is renowned for its excellent electrical insulation properties. It is often used in high-voltage electrical equipment as an insulating and arc-quenching gas because of its ability to cool and extinguish electrical arcs. This makes SF₆ essential for applications such as switchgears, circuit breakers, and transformers. The gas is also utilized in the magnesium industry to prevent the oxidation of molten magnesium and in the semiconductor field for plasma etching processes. Due to its high global warming potential, there are ongoing efforts to find alternatives and reduce the amount of SF₆ released into the atmosphere. In optical applications, it can be used for its dense, heavy properties, which can modify the speed of sound and refractive indices of the gases it's mixed with.

Other names: Sulphur hexafluoride, Sulfur hexafluoride, Sulfur(VI) fluoride, Elagas, Esaflon, Hexafluoro-λ⁶-sulfane

API: /v1/materials/mat_a4ab0eb6df43 · slug sf6