Germanium windows are commonly used in various optical applications. Germanium windows have a high refractive index and a wide transmission range, performing exceptionally well in the infrared spectrum. Therefore, they are widely used in infrared lasers and thermal imaging systems.
The main characteristics of germanium windows include their high refractive index and wide transmission range. Germanium is opaque in the visible spectrum but has high transmittance in the infrared spectrum, with a transmission band ranging from 2.0 to 16 μm. Additionally, germanium is highly inert to environments such as air, water, acids, and bases, making it capable of withstanding harsh conditions. This makes it suitable for optical applications in high-temperature and severe environments.
Germanium windows have important applications in various fields. Due to their high refractive index and excellent optical performance, germanium windows are commonly used in infrared imaging systems, thermal imaging systems, and infrared laser applications. For example, germanium meniscus lenses, which have one convex and one concave surface, are common optical components used to shorten focal lengths and increase the numerical aperture of systems.
Specifications | Commercial spec. | High precision spec. |
Material | Germanium | |
Dimension | 5mm~100mm | |
Dimension tolerance | ±0.1mm | ±0.05mm |
Surface quality | 60/40 | October 20th |
Surface flatness | 1/4λ | 1/10λ |
Clear aperture | >85% of dim | >90% of dim |
Angel tolerance | 3 arc min | 5 arc sec. |
Parallelism | <1 arc min | <30 arc sec. |
Bevel | <0.2mm x 45deg | <0.1mm x 45deg |
Coating | Up on clients' request |