What are the advantages and disadvantages of SF11 beamsplitters?
Advantages of SF11 beamsplitters
High refractive index: enables smaller beam splitting angles or more compact optical path designs. Ideal for high angle incidence or scenarios requiring large angle beam splitting (e.g. laser resonant cavities).
Broadband beamsplitting: covers visible to near-infrared, suitable for multi-wavelength systems.
Coating compatibility: can be coated with Polarized Beamsplitters (PBS) or Non-Polarizing Beamsplitter (NPBS).

Disadvantages of SF11 beamsplitters
High dispersion: not suitable for broadband light source beamsplitting, prone to introducing chromatic aberration. Needs to be paired with a low dispersion material (e.g. fused silica) to form an achromatic prism.
Temperature sensitivity: high coefficient of thermal expansion, avoid use in environments with drastic temperature changes.
Cost and processing: more expensive than BK7 and more difficult to polish (soft glass scratches easily).