IR molded optics for thermal imaging

Yann M. Guimond; Yann Bellec

doi:10.1117/12.486072

10 October 2003 IR molded optics for thermal imaging

Yann M. Guimond, Yann Bellec

Proceedings Volume 5074, Infrared Technology and Applications XXIX; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.486072
Event: AeroSense 2003, 2003, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Umicore IR Glass is a company specialising in the production of chalcogenide glasses and moulded optics. The standard glass compositions are GASIR1 (Ge₂₂As₂₀Se₅₈) and GASIR2 (Ge₂₀Sb₁₅Se₆₅). These materials are transparent in the 3-5 μm and 8-12 μm bands. An industrial process has been developed to produce these two glasses with well controlled properties. The reproducibility of refractive index is for example better than 1.5 x 10^-4 at 10 μm. A unique and high precision moulding technology has been developed to produce low cost chalcogenide glass lenses with high performance levels. Spherical, aspherical and asphero-diffractive lenses are manufactured with very accurate surface precision. The form defect of the moulded surfaces can be less than 0.3 μm with a typical roughness of 10 nm. When depositing an antireflection coating onto the moulded lenses, the reflection losses are reduced, raising the transmission to 98%, compared to 70% for uncoated lenses. A durable coating has also been developed as a protection for exposed lenses. Coated asphero-diffractive GASIR optics, used in infrared cameras give good quality images. The performance is comparable to that of an optical system with aspherical germanium. GASIR offers a cost-effective alternative to germanium for thermal imaging, especially for medium to high volume applications, both commercial and military.

Citation Download Citation

Yann M. Guimond and Yann Bellec "IR molded optics for thermal imaging", Proc. SPIE 5074, Infrared Technology and Applications XXIX, (10 October 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.486072

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available