IR Optics

IR Optics


Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) Optical components are ideal for a wide variety of infrared applications including thermal imaging, FLIR, and medical systems. This chemically vapor deposited material has wide usage in high power CO2 laser systems because of its low absorption coefficient and high resistance to thermal shock.


IR Material Comparison

Material Properties Application
Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) Low Absorption, High Refractive Index Homogeneity Spectroscopy, Semiconductor Processing, Cooled Thermal Imaging
Germanium (Ge) High Nd, High Knoop Hardness, Excellent MWIR to FIR Transmission  Thermal Imaging, Rugged IR Imaging
Magnesium Fluoride (MgF2) High CTE, Low Index of Refraction, Good Transmission from Visible to MWIR Windows, Lenses, and Polarizers that Do not Require Anti-Reflection Coatings
Silicon (Si) Low Cost and Lightweight Spectroscopy, MWIR Laser Systems, THz Imaging
Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) Low Absorption, High Resistance to Thermal Shock CO2 Laser Systems and Thermal Imaging
Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) Excellent Transmission in Both Visible and IR, Harder and More Chemically Resistant than ZnSe  Thermal Imaging