Custom MWIR / LWIR IR Optical Domes | Ge, Si, ZnSe, ZnS Manufacturer
Precision infrared domes for thermal imaging, EO/IR systems and infrared sensor protection — from 1-piece prototype to mass production.
Felix Glass manufactures Germanium, Silicon, ZnSe and ZnS infrared optical domes with CNC machining, precision grinding, optical polishing and IR AR coating — built to your wavelength, geometry and environmental requirements.
MWIR 3-5μm•LWIR 8-12μm•Hemispherical / Custom Geometry•IR AR Coating
Custom IR Dome Geometry
1 pcPrototype available
Material Selection Guide
4 IR Dome Materials Compared
Choose the right substrate for your wavelength, environment and budget. Not sure? Send your wavelength and application — engineering will recommend.
Parameter
Germanium (Ge)
Silicon (Si)
Zinc Selenide (ZnSe)
Zinc Sulfide (ZnS)
Transmission Band
2 – 14 μm
1.2 – 7 μm
0.5 – 22 μm
0.4 – 14 μm
Typical Use
MWIR / LWIR thermal imaging, EO/IR
SWIR / MWIR sensors, laser windows
CO₂ laser optics, IR imaging, FTIR
MWIR / LWIR thermal, multispectral EO/IR
Refractive Index
~4.0 (high)
~3.4
~2.4
~2.2
Density (g/cm³)
5.33 (heavy)
2.33 (light)
5.27
4.09
Thermal Conductivity
Low (temperature-sensitive)
High (excellent)
Low
Moderate
Hardness / Durability
Moderate, brittle
Hard, durable
Soft, scratch-sensitive
Moderate, good durability
Water Solubility
Insoluble
Insoluble
Slightly soluble (moisture caution)
Insoluble
Cost Level
High
Low
Very High
High
Best For
High-performance MWIR/LWIR imaging
Cost-effective SWIR/MWIR, high-heat
Broadband IR, laser systems
Durable MWIR/LWIR, harsh environments
Need help choosing? Send your operating wavelength, environment (temperature, moisture, vibration) and budget — our engineering team will recommend the optimal material within 1 business day.
Engineering & Procurement Risks
6 Common IR Dome Project Failures
01
Wrong IR Material
Using Ge for high-temperature environments causes thermal lensing. Si fails in LWIR. Material must match wavelength + environment.
Fix: Material selection based on your actual operating band and conditions.
02
Coating Mismatch
An AR coating designed for 3-5μm will reflect heavily at 10μm. Coating must match substrate AND wavelength.
Fix: Application-specific MWIR AR / LWIR AR / broadband coating.
03
Poor Surface Figure
A mechanically accurate dome with poor optical figure degrades image resolution. Surface quality and figure must be specified.
Fix: Precision grinding + polishing to λ/2 – λ/10 figure.
04
Mounting Interface Error
Edge thickness, flange geometry and mounting features must match your housing. Drawing review prevents assembly failure.
Fix: Full DFM review before prototype cutting.
05
Environmental Degradation
ZnSe absorbs moisture. Ge cracks under thermal shock. Outdoor systems need material + coating + edge protection as a system.
Fix: Environmental qualification per your spec.
06
Prototype-to-Production Drift
A good prototype does not guarantee consistent production. Process controls and inspection records are essential.
Fix: Controlled transition with first-article inspection and lot traceability.
Drawing-Based Custom Manufacturing
Technical Specifications
Typical achievable ranges below. Final parameters confirmed against your approved drawing.
Parameter
Typical Specification Range
Product
Infrared Optical Dome (Hemispherical / Spherical / Custom)
Material
Germanium (Ge) / Silicon (Si) / ZnSe / ZnS / Other IR material
10 pieces (small batch) / 100+ pieces (mass production pricing)
Prototype Lead Time
5 – 10 working days (standard geometry) / 10 – 15 days (complex + coating)
Production Lead Time
15 – 25 working days (depending on material, quantity and coating)
Final specifications are confirmed against the approved drawing and engineering requirements. Tighter tolerances available on request — send your drawing for a DFM review.
System Integration
Infrared Optical Dome Applications
Thermal Imaging Cameras
MWIR/LWIR domes for handheld, vehicle-mounted and fixed thermal cameras requiring durable optical protection.
EO/IR Sensor Systems
Multi-sensor electro-optical/infrared gimbals for surveillance, targeting and reconnaissance platforms.
IR Surveillance & Security
Long-range infrared surveillance domes for perimeter security, border monitoring and critical infrastructure.
Industrial Thermal Monitoring
High-temperature furnace monitoring, power line inspection and predictive maintenance thermal systems.
Infrared Laser Windows
ZnSe and Ge domes/windows for CO₂ laser systems, laser rangefinders and laser designators.
Aerospace & UAV Payloads
Lightweight, vibration-resistant IR domes for drone EO/IR payloads and aerospace optical systems.
Raw Material to Finished IR Dome
Felix Glass Manufacturing Capability
CNC Machining
5-axis CNC for custom dome geometry, flanges and mounting features.
Precision Grinding
Diamond grinding for radius control and optical surface preparation.
Optical Polishing
Aspheric/polishing to λ/10 figure, 20-10 surface quality.
IR AR Coating
Ion-assisted deposition for MWIR/LWIR AR and DLC coatings.
Full Inspection
CMM, interferometer, spectrophotometer and microscope verification.
Felix Glass Factory VideoActual manufacturing environment — CNC processing, optical polishing, coating and inspection operations.
CNC MachiningOptical PolishingIR AR CoatingOptical InspectionFelix Glass Factory
From Drawing to Production
Manufacturing & Delivery Process
STEP 01
Engineering Review
Send drawing, dimensions, wavelength, application or reference sample. DFM feedback in 1-2 business days.
STEP 02
Material & Spec Confirmation
Confirm substrate, geometry, optical requirements, coating and inspection criteria.
STEP 03
Prototype
Manufacture first article for engineering validation. Typical: 5-10 working days.
STEP 04
Validation & Pilot
Confirm dimensions, optical surface and coating. Small batch: 10-15 working days.
STEP 05
Mass Production
Repeatable manufacturing with lot traceability. Production: 15-25 working days.
Final lead time depends on material, geometry, coating, inspection requirements and quantity. Rush service available for prototype orders — ask for details.
Engineering & Procurement FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials can you use for infrared domes?
We manufacture IR domes from Germanium (Ge), Silicon (Si), Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) and Zinc Sulfide (ZnS). Other IR materials such as MgF₂, CaF₂ or Sapphire are available for specific wavelength ranges. Final material selection depends on your operating wavelength, environment and budget.
Can you manufacture both MWIR and LWIR domes?
Yes. We manufacture MWIR domes (3-5μm band, typically Ge or Si) and LWIR domes (8-12μm band, typically Ge or ZnS), as well as broadband domes covering multiple bands. The coating is designed specifically for your operating wavelength.
Can you manufacture hemispherical and custom-shaped domes?
Yes. We produce hemispherical domes, partial hemispheres, spherical domes and custom contoured domes with flanges, steps, grooves or mounting features. Diameter range is Ø10mm to Ø300mm, with custom sizes available on request.
What AR coating options do you provide?
We offer MWIR AR (3-5μm, average reflectance <2% per surface), LWIR AR (8-12μm, average reflectance <2% per surface), broadband AR coatings, and DLC (diamond-like carbon) protective overcoatings for harsh environments. All coatings are verified by spectrophotometer.
Can you help me select the right IR material?
Yes. Send us your operating wavelength, environmental conditions (temperature range, moisture, vibration), mechanical requirements and target budget. Our engineering team will recommend the optimal material and coating combination within 1 business day.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
Prototype MOQ is 1 piece for engineering evaluation. For production, small batches start at 10 pieces. Mass production pricing applies at 100+ pieces. There is no minimum for initial engineering review — send your drawing even if you only need one sample.
What is the typical lead time?
Prototype: 5-10 working days for standard geometry, 10-15 days for complex geometry with coating. Small batch (10-50 pcs): 10-15 working days. Mass production (100+ pcs): 15-25 working days. Rush prototype service is available — ask for current capacity.
Do I need a complete engineering drawing to start?
No. You can start with approximate dimensions, wavelength, application description or a reference sample. We will provide a DFM (Design for Manufacturing) review and recommend tolerances. A formal drawing is required before prototype production begins.
How do you control quality and what inspection reports are provided?
Every lot undergoes dimensional inspection (CMM), optical surface inspection (microscope per MIL-PRF-13830B), surface figure measurement (interferometer) and coating verification (spectrophotometer). We provide inspection reports with every shipment, including first-article inspection for new parts.
What if the delivered parts do not meet our specifications?
If parts fail to meet the approved drawing or purchase specification, we will either rework or replace the non-conforming parts at no cost, or issue a full refund for the affected quantity. We stand behind every shipment with a written quality guarantee.
Can you manufacture from our existing sample or competitor part?
Yes. If you do not have a drawing, send us a reference sample. We will reverse-engineer the geometry, measure optical parameters and create a manufacturing drawing for your approval before production.
Do you provide environmental or reliability testing?
Yes. We can perform thermal shock (-40°C to +85°C), temperature cycling, humidity (MIL-STD-810), salt spray, vibration and adhesion testing per your specification. Test reports are provided with the shipment. Custom test protocols available on request.
Send What You Have
Request a Custom IR Dome Quote
Only 4 fields required. Engineer replies in 1-2 business days.
Not sure about the material? Send your wavelength and application — we recommend.
No complete drawing? Send dimensions or a reference sample.
Need it fast? Rush prototype service available — ask in your message.
1-piece prototype supported for engineering evaluation.
Dongguan Felix Glass Co., Ltd. Custom precision optical components since 2005
Custom IR Dome Geometry
