Infrared Lenses (IR Lenses)
Avantier specializes in crafting custom IR lenses for cutting-edge applications across diverse industries, including manufacturing, defense, research, and medicine. We excel in providing tailored solutions for IR lens design and manufacturing, accommodating the needs of clients ranging from individual prototypes to large-scale production. Our expertise lies in delivering tailored solutions across the entire infrared spectrum, from short-wave infrared (SWIR) to near-infrared (NIR). Whether you need a single prototype or high-volume production, we offer a comprehensive range of IR lenses to suit your specific needs.
SWIR Lenses, LWIR Lenses, MWIR Lenses, and NIR Lenses
As one of the world’s foremost producers of high performance IR lenses, we carry a wide selection of short-wave infrared (SWIR), mid-wave infrared (MWIR), long-wave infrared (LWIR), and near-infrared (NWIR). These lenses are ideal for use in the infrared region, with applications including industry, medicine, scientific research, and defense.
Types of Infrared Lenses (IR Lenses)
- Short Wave Infrared SWIR Lenses function best when used with radiation between 800 and 1700nm. SWIR lenses enable non-invasive quality control, machine vision, medical diagnostics, and anti-counterfeiting applications by capturing images in the short-wave infrared spectrum. Although SWIR light is invisible to the human eye, an SWIR camera can produce high-resolution images with detail comparable to a standard camera under normal lighting conditions.
- Long Wave Infrared LWIR Lenses work well in the long wave infrared wavelength range, from 8000 – 12000 nm. An LWIR lens is an important component of LWIR thermal imaging and surveillance systems and these lenses are used in both industry and medicine.
- Near Infrared NIR Lenses are ideal for use in the region 900 nm to 1700 nm, and may be used for focusing and expanding NIR lasers as well as for fiber optics. NIR spectroscopy and imaging is also key in some medical diagnostic techniques, as NIR lenses can be used to determine both the concentration and oxygenation of hemoglobin in the brain or other tissue.
Substrates of IR Optics
- IR Grade Fused Silica is a highly transparent and versatile material primarily composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2), with a reducing concentration of OH- ions compared to other grades of silica. It offers a great transmission in the wavelength from 0.14μm to 4.5μm and has a refractive index of 1.46. While having a low coefficient of thermal expansion, IR-grade fused silica also possesses a high resistance to thermal shock, enabling it to withstand rapid temperature changes without fracturing or undergoing significant changes in its optical properties.
- Chalcogenide is an amorphous glass and is easier to work with than conventional IR crystalline materials. It is quickly becoming a top choice among IR materials for optical engineers and lens designers. Chalcogenide glass is an ideal material for both high-performance infrared imaging systems and high-volume commercial applications. A number of different chemical composition choices exist for ChG, but BD6, composed of arsenic and selenium (As 40 Se 60), represents the best choice from a cost and ease-of-manufacturing perspective. Chalcogenide infrared glass materials and lenses are an excellent alternative in some applications for the more expensive and commodity price-driven materials such as Ge, ZnSe and ZnS2. Chalcogenide glasses transmit primarily in the MWIR and LWIR wavebands, making them suitable for thermal imaging applications.
- Sapphire is a remarkable material widely utilized in infrared optics, it is a crystalline form of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and exhibits excellent transmission properties in both the near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) regions from 0.14μ to 6μm with refractive index of 1.768. It also allows for the precise fabrication of high-quality lenses, windows, and prisms, enabling the formation of well-defined optical surfaces for accurate infrared imaging and focusing.
- Calcium Fluoride CaF2 optics material exhibits excellent transparency from 0.13μm – 12μm with a refractive index of 1.434, the transmission efficiency of CaF2 is typically above 90% for wavelengths in the MIR and FIR regions. CaF2 has excellent thermal stability, allowing it to maintain its optical properties across a wide temperature range.
- Chemical Vapor Deposition Zinc Sulfide CVD ZnS is one of the low-cost alternatives for infrared windows, domes, and optical elements, contributing to a single crystal-like transmittance in wavelength from 1μm to 13μm with a refractive index of 2.371. CVD ZnS is relatively soft compared to other infrared materials, such as germanium or sapphire. This softness can make it more susceptible to scratches or damage, and therefore it may require careful handling and proper protective coatings to enhance its mechanical durability.
- Chemical Vapor Deposition Zinc Selenide CVD ZnSe is an optical material that can transmit in a wide wavelength band from 0.2μm to 20μm with a refractive index of 2.631. Same as CVD ZnS, it possesses relatively low mechanical hardness and good thermal stability, allowing it to maintain its optical properties over a wide temperature range.
- Multispectral Zinc Sulfide M-ZnS is a specially engineered type of zinc sulfide material with improved transmission properties from 0.25μm to 13μm with a refractive index of 2.368. It is an ideal material for high-performance common aperture systems that need to operate effectively across a wide range of wavelengths.
- Germanium Ge is a highly suitable option for optical lenses, windows, and prisms, offering excellent performance even without the need for infrared AR coatings. It possesses a transmission range from 1.8 to 13µm with refractive index of 4.005@10μm, enabling efficient passage of infrared light. With its high Knoop Hardness (780), germanium excels in applications that require durability. However, it is important to note that its usage is limited to temperatures below 100°C.
- Silicon Si is a widely used optical material offering several advantageous properties. It boasts high transmission from 1.1μm to 9μm and a refractive index of 3.426 at 5μm. Its excellent thermal stability makes it suitable for applications involving high temperatures. Additionally, it is mechanically robust and scratch-resistant, making it ideal for optical components that require durability and longevity.
- Barium Fluoride BaF2 is a commonly utilized material for infrared (IR) spectroscopy. It offers excellent transmission properties across a wide range of infrared wavelengths, and its low refractive index of approximately 1.48 minimizes light dispersion, allowing for accurate measurement and analysis of IR spectra. Additionally, BaF2 possesses a Knoop hardness of 82. While it remains stable up to 800°C, it is susceptible to thermal shock and should be used in a dry environment.
- Magnesium Fluoride MgF2 is more durable if compared with ZnSe, offers excellent transmission properties in a wide spectral range from 0.12μm to 7μm, and its refractive index is the lowest among materials we are using with the value of 1.413. MgF2 has a density of 3.11 g/cm3 and Knoop hardness of 415, which contributes to its solid and robust nature and resistance to both chemical etching and laser damage.
Custom Infrared Lenses (IR Lenses) for Your Application
At Avantier, we offer both fixed focal length and continuous zoom IR lenses. Each lens produced in our factory is meticulously crafted and adheres to ISO and MIL standards. We’re eager to collaborate with you to create custom IR lenses or optics that meet your precise focal length requirements and deliver exceptional performance. Our cost-effective manufacturing processes enable us to produce custom IR lenses at competitive prices, without compromising on quality. Contact us today to discuss your custom IR lenses needs or any upcoming projects.
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