Caesium nitrate

Caesium nitrate is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CsNO₃. An alkali metal nitrate, it is used in pyrotechnic compositions, as a colorant and an oxidizer, e.g. in decoys and illumination flares. The caesium emissions are chiefly due to two powerful spectral lines at 852.113 nm and 894.347 nm.

Caesium nitrate prisms are used in infrared spectroscopy, in x-ray phosphors, and in scintillation counters. It is also used in making optical glasses and lenses.

As with other alkali metal nitrates, caesium nitrate decomposes on gentle heating to give caesium nitrite:

Caesium also forms two unusual acid nitrates, which can be described as CsNO₃·HNO₃ and CsNO₃·2HNO₃ (melting points 100 °C and 36–38 °C respectively).