Infrared cameras, as advanced devices capable of capturing thermal radiation (infrared) to generate images, rely critically on the choice of infrared lens material. Unlike ordinary cameras that depend on the visible spectrum, the working mechanism of infrared cameras necessitates that infrared lens material uses specialized materials with high transmittance in the infrared spectrum. Among these, traditional infrared lens materials like germanium once dominated, but with technological advancements, chalcogenide glass, emerging as a new infrared lens material, is gradually showcasing its unique advantages.
Infrared cameras form images by receiving and converting infrared radiation emitted by objects, a process that requires infrared lens material to effectively transmit infrared light. Common materials like glass perform well in the visible spectrum but fall short in the infrared spectrum due to their opacity, which severely limits the performance of infrared cameras. Therefore, finding an infrared lens material with high transmittance in the infrared spectrum is key to enhancing the performance of infrared cameras.
Chalcogenide glass, made of compounds composed of chalcogen elements (oxygen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium), exhibits tremendous application potential in the field of infrared optics due to its unique physical and chemical properties. It not only covers a wide transmission range from 0.5μm to 25μm but also features excellent characteristics such as a low refractive index temperature coefficient and low dispersion, making it an ideal choice for mid-infrared optical devices.
Compared to traditional infrared materials like germanium, chalcogenide glass has significant advantages in production efficiency. It can achieve mass production through precise molding techniques, reducing production costs while increasing production efficiency. Moreover, the versatility of chalcogenide glass offers broad applications in various fields such as infrared optics, fiber optics, photonic/optical devices, and more.
With the continuous in-depth research on chalcogenide glass, its application fields are steadily expanding. From infrared sensors and phase-change memory to night vision goggles and thermal imaging cameras, chalcogenide glass, with its unique performance advantages, is bringing revolutionary changes to these fields. In the future, with further technological breakthroughs, chalcogenide glass is expected to play an important role in more innovative applications, injecting new vitality into the development of infrared optical technology.
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