Patent ID: 6917042

Claim:
A UV detection system, comprising: an optical system capable of focusing incident radiation; a UV crystal filter having a pass band in a desired spectral region, the UV crystal positioned to receive focused incident radiation from the optical system; and a radiation detection system sensitive to radiation in at least the pass band of the UV crystal filter, the radiation detection system positioned to receive radiation transmitted through the UV crystal filter, wherein the optical system includes filters that filter out radiation having wavelengths outside of those in the desired spectral region; wherein the UV crystal filter comprises a host material that is transparent within at least the desired spectral region, and at least one dopant incorporated within the host material; wherein the at least one dopant provides optical absorption bands such that the crystalline filter has the pass band within the desired spectral region; wherein the host material is chosen from the group consisting of MgF 2 , CaF 2, SrF 2 , BaF 2 , ZnF 2 , and CdF 2 ; and wherein the at least one dopant includes a fluoride compound dopant.