Chalcogenide glass lenses are lenses made of chalcogenide glass, which are glass materials composed of chalcogen elements (S, Se, Te) combined with other elements such as As, Sb, or Ge. Chalcogenide glass features a broad IR transmission wavelength range in the MWIR/LWIR region (3-5 micro,8-12 micro) with a superior transmission rate within the range. The thermal properties of Chalcogenide glass lenses are also remarkable, with low temperature coefficients of refractive index, Chalcogenide glass lenses are attractive candidates for producing passive optical athermalized IR lens assemblies of compact and lightweight design. Furthermore, Chalcogenide glass has a lower softening point and mechanical hardness than common crystal materials, therefore could be processed into various optical components with higher efficiencies. The production cost of chalcogenide glass is lower than most IR crystal materials (1/4 of that of Germanium). It is also feasible, using high precision molding, to realize bulk production of aspheric Chalcogenide glass lenses. With China’s export controls on Ge, Chalcogenide glass lens has emerged as a potential alternative to Ge lens.

Shanghai North Optics offers Custom Chalcogenide Glass Lenses and Chalcogenide Glass Ball Lens with a maximum diameter of 100mm and anti-reflection coatings at LWIR and MWIR regions. The lens forms (ball lens, aspheric lens, convex lens, concave lens, etc.), dimensions, and other parameters could all be tailored for you. Various Chalcogenide Glass Materials could be selected upon your request, the majority being the Chinese IRG series from NHG, the glass codes including IRG201, IRG202, IRG203, IRG204, IRG205, IRG206, and IRG207, while other similar glass codes from other companies could also be procured.