At Shape Optics Technologies Pte Ltd (SOT), we offer a comprehensive selection of Optical Lens Material options designed to meet diverse performance, wavelength, and cost requirements. Choosing the right substrate is critical for ensuring high transmission, durability, and system efficiency.
The table below provides an overview of the most common materials used in precision optics.
Optical Lens Materials Overview
| Material | Transmission Range | Key Features & Applications |
|---|---|---|
| N-BK7 | 350 nm – 2.0 um | A widely used borosilicate crown glass that is RoHS-compliant. N-BK7 is the standard choice for visible and near-infrared optics due to its excellent optical clarity, affordability, and mechanical strength. |
| UV Fused Silica (UVFS) | 185 nm – 2.1 um | High-performance optical glass material with superior UV transmission, extremely low fluorescence, and excellent homogeneity. Its low thermal expansion makes it ideal for applications spanning UV, visible, and near-IR, including spectroscopy and laser systems. |
| N-SF11 | 420 nm – 2.3 um | A dense flint glass with a high refractive index and low Abbe number. Offers stronger dispersion compared to N-BK7, making it suitable for precision lenses, prisms, and imaging systems where chromatic correction is required. |
| Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) | 180 nm – 8.0 um | A durable lens crystal material with low refractive index, low fluorescence, and high homogeneity. Its broad transmission range from UV to IR makes it ideal for high-power laser optics and excimer laser systems. |
| Barium Fluoride (BaF2) | 200 nm – 11.0 um | Shares many qualities with CaF2 but provides better resistance to radiation damage. Commonly used in high-energy physics and space optics. Note: less resistant to prolonged moisture exposure. |
| Silicon (Si) | 1.2 – 8.0 um | Lightweight with excellent thermal conductivity. A preferred infrared lens material for mid-IR applications such as thermal imaging and infrared sensors. Not recommended for CO2 laser optics due to strong absorption near 9 um. |
| Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) | 600 nm – 16.0 um | A premium material for infrared optical lenses. It provides broad transmission, low absorption in the visible red range, and is widely used in CO2 laser optics (10.6 um) combined with HeNe alignment lasers. |
| Germanium (Ge) | 2.0 – 16.0 um | A leading infrared lens material with excellent transmission in the mid-IR range. Chemically inert and ideal for thermal imaging, night vision, and spectroscopy. Transmission varies with temperature, which should be considered in design. |
| Magnesium Fluoride (MgF2) | 200 nm – 6.0 um | Extremely rugged and stable, MgF2 is well-suited for harsh environments. Commonly used in UV and visible optics, industrial vision systems, and microscopy lenses. |
| PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) | 30 um – 1.0 mm | A specialty optical polymer material with refractive index ~1.4 and dielectric constant ~1.96 (at 520 GHz). Ideal for terahertz applications from 300 GHz to 10 THz, covering wavelengths of 30 um to 1 mm. |
Why Material Choice Matters
Selecting the right optical lens material ensures optimal transmission, minimizes losses, and extends component lifespan. Whether for UV-grade fused silica in spectroscopy, infrared germanium lenses in thermal imaging, or ZnSe substrates in CO2 laser processing, material properties directly influence performance and reliability.
SOT provides tailored recommendations based on your operating wavelength, environmental conditions, and system design requirements.