ZnSe, a transparent polycrystalline substance with a yellowish tint, exhibits transmission in the 0.5-21µm range, making it well-suited for mid-infrared applications. Avantier’s ZnSe lenses maintain less than 0.3 percent total absorption at infrared wavelengths, contributing to energy efficiency and increased accuracy in sensitive instrumentation, particularly in laser optics.

The material’s properties include a low absorption coefficient (0.0005 cm-1 at 10.6 μm), a melting point of 1525°C, and a thermal conductivity of 18 W m-1 K-1 at 298K. ZnSe lenses demonstrate high resistance to thermal shock, making them suitable for thermally demanding applications.

Reflectivity of ZnSe is typically 29.1% at 10.6 μm (2 surfaces), and Avantier offers anti-reflective coatings to minimize energy loss. Given the material’s susceptibility to scratching, careful handling is recommended.

Avantier employs chemically vapor deposited ZnSe blanks for crafting precision lenses. The production process involves cutting blanks to size, diamond turning for precise curvature, and polishing to high standards. Lenses are rigorously tested using state-of-the-art metrology equipment to ensure accuracy and performance.

The product range at Avantier includes spherical, cylindrical, meniscus, aspherical, plano-concave, concave-convex, and plano-convex lenses in various diameters, thicknesses, focal lengths, and configurations. While lenses for CO2 laser focusing applications are supplied without coatings for high performance, anti-reflection and other optical coatings can be applied as needed.