Infrared Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) is a compound semiconductor and optical material widely used in infrared imaging, defense, aerospace, and high-reliability optical systems. Thanks to its excellent transmission in the visible to long-wave infrared (LWIR) range, combined with strong mechanical durability, ZnS is a preferred material for lenses, windows, domes, and protective optical components operating in harsh environments.
ZnS is particularly valued for thermal imaging systems, night vision devices, infrared spectroscopy, and missile dome applications, where environmental resistance, optical clarity, and long-term stability are critical. In addition to optics, ZnS also plays an important role in electronics, phosphors, and scintillation detectors, highlighting its versatility across multiple industries.
Key Advantages of Infrared Zinc Sulfide (ZnS)
- Broadband Optical Transmission: Excellent transparency from visible to infrared wavelengths, suitable for MWIR and LWIR systems
- High Mechanical Strength: Withstands sand, rain, temperature shock, and harsh outdoor environments
- Environmental Durability: Ideal for defense, aerospace, and airborne optical applications
- Coating Compatibility: Supports AR and DLC coatings for enhanced transmission and surface protection
- Versatile Material Platform: Suitable for flat, spherical, and aspheric optical components
Applications of Infrared Zinc Sulfide (ZnS)
- Infrared Optics: Used for lenses, windows, and domes in thermal imaging systems, night vision devices, and infrared spectroscopy due to high IR transparency.
- Defense & Aerospace Systems: Applied in missile domes, aircraft windows, targeting systems, and surveillance optics for its ability to endure extreme environmental conditions.
- Infrared Windows & Domes: Serves as protective IR windows that transmit infrared radiation while shielding sensitive detectors from harsh environments.
- Electronics & Semiconductor Devices: Utilized in LEDs, phosphors, and scintillation detectors, though less commonly than silicon-based semiconductors.
- Luminescent & Phosphor Applications: Employed in cathode-ray tubes, fluorescent lamps, X-ray screens, and radiation detection when doped with suitable activators.
- Optical Coatings & Pigments: Used as a coating or pigment material to improve optical performance, reflectivity, color properties, and corrosion resistance.
General Manufacturing Specifications – ZnS Optical Components
Flat Shape (Windows & Plates)
Material Options: Ge, Si, ZnSe, ZnS, Chalcogenide Glasses
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Diameter Tolerance | ≤ 0.03 mm |
| Curvature Radius | ΔSag < 0.005 |
| Center Thickness Tolerance | ≤ 0.025 mm |
| Edge Thickness | ≤ 0.03 mm |
| Surface Quality | 40/20 |
| Transmittance | AR ≥97% / DLC+AR ≥90% |
| Surface Power | N < 2, ΔN < 1 |
| Flatness | < 10 μm |
| Decentration | Window ≤30′ / Lens ≤1.5′ |
Spherical Shape (Lenses)
Diameter Range: 12 mm – 450 mm
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Diameter Tolerance | 0.05 mm |
| Center Thickness Tolerance | 0.02 mm |
| Surface Quality | 20/10, 10/5 |
| Surface Accuracy | PV λ/10, λ/20 |
| Surface Roughness | Ra ≤0.04 μm |
| Local Error | ≤0.5 |
| Decentration | ≤1′ |
| Total Height Tolerance | ±0.02 mm |
| Concave Sag | ±0.02 mm |
Aspheric Shape (Precision IR Optics)
Aspheric Turning Diameter: 12 mm – 200 mm
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Diameter Tolerance | 0.05 mm |
| Center Thickness Tolerance | 0.02 mm |
| Surface Quality | 20/10, 10/5 |
| Surface Accuracy | PV λ/10, λ/20 |
| Surface Roughness | Ra ≤0.04 μm |
| Local Error | ≤0.5 |
| Decentration | ≤1′ |
| Total Height Tolerance | ±0.02 mm |
| Concave Sag | ±0.02 mm |
Shapeoptics Infrared ZnS Capabilities
Shape Optics Technologies partners with advanced manufacturers to supply high-quality Infrared Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) optical components, produced using state-of-the-art equipment and precision manufacturing techniques.
With over 20 years of optical manufacturing experience, Shapeoptics delivers reliable, high-performance ZnS optics for mission-critical applications.