New multi-spectral optical materials available for your next broadband imaging project

If your next project calls for an optic which transmits light from multiple parts of the spectrum, and weight, cost and complexity are concerns, you now have more options for the lens' substrate material. Clear Align's optical engineering team has developed cutting-edge anti-reflective coatings for a new generation of optical substrates. These coatings maximize transmission of light through a number of new materials. This permits efficient window and lens design for your multi-spectral imaging systems.

First is a new Chalcogenide glass which transmits from about 0.6um-12um. This material is inherently athermal, moldable or diamond-turnable, AR-coatable, and is almost a direct replacement for ZnSe. If your project calls for combining Image intensified night visions' NIR light and thermal imaging's LWIR energy; or SWIR or MWIR energy, this is a great candidate material; especially as the cost is in Germanium's ballpark.

Next up is a newly processed Zinc Sulfide. The ingenious process results in a microstructure giving it great strength, in terms of modulus of rupture, and excellent transmission from NIR- LWIR (0.8um-12um). This material can be diamond turned, near-net formed, traditionally polished and AR coated as well. If you require a fod-resistant window or a polished, blowing sand-resistant dome, this material makes a good candidate. It transmits particularly well in the mid-wave portion of the spectrum(3-5um) and is cost-competitive with Germanium.

Let me know how I might help your camera engineering staff. Share your problem and we can help develop a cost-competitive  design solution including material selection and coating approach. From there we can help develop and test your prototypes before moving into pilot, and then, volume production.