What is Ir Optics and Why Do We Use Them?

The RP Photonics Buyer's Guide contains 141 suppliers for infrared optics. Among them:

Goto optec to know more.

Shalom EO

Shalom EO offers a wide range of infrared optics – not only singlet IR optical lenses, IR optical windows and IR domes, but also lens modules designed for MWIR (3–5 μm) and LWIR (8–12 μm) thermal imaging cameras. A variety of specific infrared optical materials are available: germanium, zinc selenide (ZnSe), zinc sulfide (ZnS), chalcogenide glass, silicon, sapphire and fluoride (CaF2, BaF2, MgF2 and LiF). Our fabrication techniques include conventional polishing and diamond turning. Moreover, multiple types of modules with flat, spherical and aspherical optical surfaces are optional for different requirements. Referring to the thermal imaging lenses, Hangzhou Shalom EO offers standard lenses and hundreds of custom free-designed lens modules (e.g. athermalized lenses, fisheye lenses, single FOV, dual FOV, zoom lenses).

Further, our infrared windows can be used at 0.75 μm to 20 μm and our infrared lenses are suitable in a wide spectral range from 700 nm to  nm. Infrared domes are suitable for 3 μm to 12 μm. AR coating options include broadband anti-reflection coatings (BBAR), long-pass anti-reflection coatings and hard diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating for application in harsh environments.

Vortex Optical Coatings

At Vortex we are able to manufacture custom optical coatings in the near and mid infrared regions between 900 and  nm. Whether you are looking for bandpass filters, long/short pass filters, beamsplitters, AR coatings (and many other coating types), we can apply these to a whole range of substrates, many of which we hold in stock on our shelves for immediate coating so we are able to offer very good lead times compared to the industry standard.

Avantier

Avantier produces a wide range of high quality infrared optics, including infrared lenses, prisms, windows, mirrors, and laser and imaging assemblies. Our state-of-the-art equipment allows us to achieve unparalleled precision and surface quality, and every piece we manufacture is subject to stringent quality controls.

IRD Glass

IRD Ceramics manufactures precision infrared optical components which are essential to infrared cameras and sensors used by homeland security, border patrol, defense and security companies. We perform all fabrication in house, allowing us to produce low-cost IR mirrors, lenses and windows for commercial applications as well as customized lenses to meet the exact demands of defense and security companies. IRD Ceramics works with sapphire, silicon, chalcogenides, germanium, BaF2, CaF2, zinc selenide and more.

EKSMA OPTICS

EKSMA Optics has substrates and finished optical components – windows, lenses and mirrors made from lithium fluoride (LiF), calcium fluoride (CaF2), barium fluoride (BaF2), sapphire (Al2O3), zinc selenide (ZnSe) and germanium (Ge) for laser and optical instruments applications in the infrared wavelength range.

Edmund Optics

Edmund Optics offers a wide range of infrared optics, using materials like aluminum, calcium fluoride, fused silica, germanium, magnesium fluoride, sapphire, silicon, zinc selenide, zinc sulfide and other infrared materials.

Shanghai Optics

At Shanghai Optics we design and manufacture a wide variety of custom optical IR components. Our state of the art equipment allows us to achieve unparalleled precision and surface quality, and every piece we manufacture is subject to stringent quality controls.

We offer a wide range of IR substrates, including Ge, Si, ZnSe, ZnS, ZnS , CaF2, BaF2 and GaAs. Our lenses and windows are available with multiple anti-reflection coating options that can increase durability and improve performance.

Knight Optical

Knight Optical can offer a variety of stock and custom infrared optics, such as lenses, windows, prisms and filters. We can provide these in a wide range of different materials including germanium, silicon, zinc selenide, calcium fluoride, sapphire, magnesium fluoride, zinc sulphide. Our custom infrared optics include aspheric lenses, filters working in the IR wavelengths, and coatings optimised for the different thermal wavebands, as well as diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings for extra durability of a surface.

UM Optics

UM Optics is the biggest optics supplier in China. We supply CaF2, BaF2, MgF2, LiF material covering the VUV to IR spectrum. We can also deliver cut blanks, polished lens, drilled windows, spherical lenses, aspheric lenses, galvo scanning mirrors, prisms, cylindrical lenses and mirrors in very large quantities at best price. UM Optics also grows silicon material in optical grade and supplies optics like silicon wafers, mirrors, AR-coated lenses, and prisms. We are also good at ZnSe/ZnS/Ge IR material optics.

UltraFast Innovations

UltraFast Innovations (UFI®) offers a varied selection of broadband infrared mirrors designed for ultrafast laser systems. For example, we provide mirrors for thulium- and holmium-based systems operating in the 2-μm spectral region, Cr:ZnS systems around 2.4 μm and Cr:ZnSe for 3.2 μm. Such mirrors can be provided with precise control of chromatic dispersion.

Ecoptik

Ecoptik manufactures precision infrared optical devices based on germanium, silicon, zinc selenide, zinc sulfide and other materials. Customized high-precision and complex optical devices, including short-wave infrared optical devices of many kinds can be made. Feel free to contact us!

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Ir Optics. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

LightMachinery

LightMachinery has extensive expertise in the manufacturing and testing of infrared optics based on zinc selenide, zinc sulfide and germanium optics for CO2 lasers, e.g. in the form of mirrors, lenses and rhomb retarders. In addition, we have a thorough understanding of the importance of high damage threshold coatings for our laser customers.

OPTOMAN

OPTOMAN employs IBS technology to manufacture laser optics made for mid-IR. Broadband dispersive and low GDD mirrors for mid-IR range can reduce or even completely eliminate the need to use combinations of various bulk materials to compensate dispersion.

Cost-effective solutions for mid-IR optics are also available. By developing relatively thin coatings through advanced material research, we’ve reduced the primary cost driver — production time — while maintaining the core advantages of IBS coatings. This allows us to deliver high-quality, durable mirrors without sacrificing spectral performance or efficiency, making them an affordable choice for Mid-IR laser systems, even at power densities up to 100 GW/cm2.

Custom mid-IR optics can be designed for spectral range 1 – 5 µm, using standard or CaF2, MgF2, YAG, sapphire or silicon substrates.

Sinoptix

Infrared (IR) optics is an integral part of many technologies, including LiDAR, night vision, thermal imaging, and spectroscopy. As the technology and applications continue to improve, so too does the need for high-quality infrared optics. In this article, we will take a closer look at infrared optics, the materials used in their manufacture, and their applications.

What is infrared optics?

Infrared optics refers to optical components designed to operate in the infrared wavelength range that is invisible to the human eye. These components require specialized materials and equipment to effectively manipulate and measure infrared light.

Applications of infrared optics

Infrared optics has a wide range of applications:
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging): used in self-driving cars and mapping.
Night vision: enhances visibility in low-light conditions.
Thermal imaging: detects heat signatures for security and medical diagnostics.
Spectroscopy: analyzes the composition of materials.

Types of IR Optics

1. Transparent in Visible-IR Optics

These materials are transparent in both the visible and infrared ranges:
ZnSe (zinc selenide)
CaF2 (calcium fluoride)
MgF2 (magnesium fluoride)
BaF2 (barium fluoride)
Fused quartz (for NIR only)
Sapphire (for NIR only)
Optical crown borosilicate (for NIR only)

2. Opaque in Visible-IR Optics

These materials are opaque to the human eye but transmit infrared signals:
Teflon
Silicon
Germanium

3. IR Filters

IR filters restrict infrared transmission to a specific wavelength range, ensuring that only the desired infrared wavelengths are transmitted.

4. IR Mirrors

These mirrors are designed to reflect infrared light and can be used in a variety of applications that require infrared light redirection and focusing.

5. IR Laser Optics

These optics are specialized for focusing and manipulating laser beams at specific infrared wavelengths, which is critical for precision applications in the medical and industrial fields.

MOK Optics’ Capabilities in IR Optics

MOK Optics specializes in manufacturing high-quality IR optical components using a range of advanced materials and technologies:
Materials: including ZnSe, CaF2, MgF2, BaF2, fused silica, sapphire, Teflon, silicon and germanium.
Custom Sizes: Capable of producing components from 2mm to 600mm in size with a tolerance of ±0.1mm.
Surface Quality: High surface quality is ensured, with 60-40 as standard.
Coatings: Anti-reflective (AR) coatings, oleophobic coatings and custom screen printing are available to enhance performance and durability.
MOK Optics is committed to meeting the precise specifications and requirements of its customers, providing tailored solutions for a wide range of IR applications.