CO₂ Laser 10.6μm Wavelength Guide | IR Laser Optics
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- Felix Glass Co., Limited
- Issue Time
- Oct 10,2026
Summary
This guide covers 10.6μm CO₂ laser optics, ZnSe windows/lenses, coatings and industrial cutting & engraving applications.
CO₂ Laser 10.6μm Wavelength Guide
10.6 μm is the dominant standard infrared wavelength for industrial CO₂ lasers. This mid-infrared beam is strongly absorbed by most non-metallic materials and requires specialized infrared optical substrates such as ZnSe for beam transmission, focusing and protection.
Core Properties of 10.6 μm CO₂ Laser
| Item | Specification & Note |
|---|---|
| Spectrum Band | Mid-wave infrared (MWIR), invisible to human eyes |
| Material Absorption | High absorption: acrylic, wood, leather, rubber, paper, glass; Low absorption / reflective for bare metals |
| Recommended Optic Material | Laser-grade ZnSe (low absorption at 10.6μm) |
| Common Alternative Wavelength | 9.3 μm / 9.6 μm for special plastic marking |
Common Optical Components for 10.6μm CO₂ Laser
- ZnSe focusing lenses for beam convergence and high-density energy spot formation
- ZnSe protective windows to shield internal optics from smoke, spatter and contamination
- ZnSe beam combiners for coaxial visible alignment aiming beam
- Custom plano-convex, meniscus CO₂ laser optics with 10.6μm AR anti-reflection coating
Available Coating Options
AR coatings optimized for CO₂ 10.6 micron laser applications:
- Single-band AR coating @10.6 μm for maximum transmission
- Dual-band AR coating for 10.6 μm + visible red aiming laser
- High laser-damage-threshold coating for high-power continuous CO₂ laser
Typical Application Fields
- Acrylic cutting, wood engraving, leather marking, rubber cutting
- Packaging industry paper cutting, fabric textile engraving
- Non-metal industrial processing, craft and sign making
- Medical laser equipment and laboratory infrared spectroscopy
Machining Capacity & Quality Control
Felix Glass supplies laser-grade ZnSe optics matched for 10.6μm CO₂ lasers. We control surface quality up to 20/10 scratch-dig, with precise focal length tolerance and high uniformity AR coating. Custom drawings, sampling and bulk serial production available.
Datasheet & Custom Inquiry
Send your laser power, focal length and coating requirement for quotation of CO₂ laser optical elements.
Request Datasheet & Custom Quote