Core Pain Points We Solve
Ordinary IR substrates have high LWIR absorption, causing signal loss for high-sensitivity cooled thermal detectors
Low-grade ZnSe blanks contain internal inclusions and bubbles, resulting in thermal image distortion and hotspots
Improper coating design brings high surface reflection, reducing effective infrared signal for LWIR imaging
Most suppliers cannot fabricate ultra-precision hemispherical ZnSe domes with strict wavefront error control
Product Key Advantages
High-Purity CVD ZnSe Raw Blank
Adopt chemical vapor deposited ZnSe material with extremely low internal defects, low absorption at 8–14μm LWIR band, consistent optical homogeneity for cooled infrared detector systems.
Custom LWIR Targeted AR Coating
Support LWIR single-band AR coating and multi-band BBAR coating. Reduce surface reflection to boost infrared transmittance, suppress stray light and improve thermal image contrast.
Hemispherical Ultra-Precision Polishing
Ultra-precision optical polishing to control surface figure and wavefront error. Minimize beam distortion for high-precision LWIR thermal imaging and CO₂ laser transmission applications.
Broad Infrared Transmission Spectrum
Wide transmission range from 0.6μm to 18μm. Outstanding performance for LWIR thermal cameras and CO₂ laser optical assemblies, flexible for multi-spectral infrared designs.
DLC Protective Coating Optional
Diamond-like carbon DLC coating can be deposited on ZnSe surface to enhance wear resistance and environmental protection, solving ZnSe’s natural softness limitation.
Full OEM Customization
Custom dome diameter, wall thickness, edge machining and optical specs. Provide prototype validation service for your infrared optical system development.
Core Material Overview: CVD Zinc Selenide (ZnSe)
CVD ZnSe is premium infrared optical material widely used for high-end LWIR thermal imaging and CO₂ laser optics, selected for low absorption and broad IR transmission.
CVD ZnSe — Premium infrared substrate with wide transmission from 0.6–18μm. Extremely low absorption coefficient in 8–14μm LWIR band, the top choice for high-sensitivity cooled thermal detectors and CO₂ laser systems. ZnSe is relatively soft, DLC coating is recommended for outdoor or abrasion-prone environments.
IR Material Performance Comparison Table
| Parameter | CVD ZnSe | CVD ZnS | IR Sapphire | Germanium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission Band | 0.6–18μm | 3–12μm | 0.2–5μm | 2–14μm |
| LWIR (8–14μm) Transmittance | Excellent | Good | Not suitable | Excellent |
| Mohs Hardness | 2.5 | 3–4 | 9 | 6 |
| Environmental Durability | Low (DLC coating recommended) | Good | Superior | Moderate |
| Cost & Availability | High cost | Cost-effective | High cost | Very high cost |
ZnSe Dome Application Selection Guide
| Application Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| High-sensitivity LWIR cooled thermal detector | CVD ZnSe + LWIR AR coating |
| CO₂ laser optical transmission system | CVD ZnSe laser-grade blank |
| Indoor precision infrared temperature measurement | CVD ZnSe, no DLC required |
| Outdoor airborne thermal payload | CVD ZnSe + DLC protective coating |
| Cost-sensitive continuous thermal surveillance | Switch to CVD ZnS |
Engineering Specification Table
| Parameter Item | Custom Technical Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Type | CVD ZnSe Hemispherical Infrared Optical Dome |
| Raw Material | High purity CVD Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) |
| Working Spectrum | 0.6–18μm, optimized for LWIR 8–14μm / CO₂ laser 10.6μm |
| Optical Surface Quality | 20/10, 40/20 MIL ultra-precision grade |
| Available Coatings | LWIR AR, BBAR multi-band, DLC diamond-like carbon coating |
| Surface Figure | λ/10, λ/4 @632.8nm customizable |
| Application Scenarios | LWIR thermal camera, CO₂ laser optics, cooled IR detector, airborne infrared payload |
Coating Solution for ZnSe Dome
Custom infrared coatings matched for CVD ZnSe substrate to maximize LWIR transmittance and surface protection
| Coating Type | Wavelength Range | Typical Reflectance | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| LWIR Single-Band AR | 8–14μm | <1.5% per surface | Long-wave infrared thermal imaging |
| CO₂ Laser AR Coating | 10.6μm | <0.8% per surface | CO₂ laser transmission optical path |
| Dual-Band BBAR | 3–14μm | <2% per surface | Multi-spectrum infrared detection system |
| DLC Diamond-Like Carbon Coating | IR broadband | — | Improve surface hardness, scratch resistance for ZnSe |
In-House ZnSe Infrared Dome Manufacturing Capability
Our CVD ZnSe infrared domes are fabricated in Class100 clean optical workshop. We process high-grade CVD ZnSe blanks, ultra-precision polishing, vacuum infrared coating and full optical performance testing.
Typical Application Scenarios
- High-sensitivity cooled LWIR thermal imaging detectors
- CO₂ laser transmission optical systems
- Airborne infrared surveillance payloads
- Industrial non-contact high precision infrared temperature measurement
- Research & development infrared optical prototype systems
Our optical engineering team provides one-stop ZnSe optical solution, including blank selection, coating design, hemispherical structure optimization and prototype verification. Each ZnSe dome will go through transmittance, surface quality and wavefront inspection before shipment.
Why Choose Our CVD ZnSe Infrared Domes
High Grade CVD ZnSe Blank
Select low-defect CVD ZnSe raw material, strictly control bubbles and inclusions inside substrate
IR Specialized Polishing
Ultra-precision polishing process for infrared optics, low wavefront distortion
Full Customization
Custom size, thickness, edge profile and wavelength-specific AR coating
Complete Optical Testing
100% transmittance, surface quality and wavefront error inspection before delivery
International IR Optics Standard
Meet aerospace and industrial infrared optical specifications for export
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is CVD ZnSe dome best used for?
A: CVD ZnSe domes are ideal for high-sensitivity LWIR thermal imaging detectors and CO₂ laser systems, featuring ultra-low absorption at 8–14μm long-wave infrared band.
Q2: Is ZnSe soft? Do I need DLC coating?
A: Yes, ZnSe is relatively soft (Mohs 2.5). DLC coating is optional and strongly recommended for outdoor or abrasion-prone environments to protect optical surface.
Q3: What coatings are available for ZnSe dome?
A: We offer LWIR single-band AR, CO₂ laser 10.6μm AR, BBAR multi-band coating and DLC protective coating for CVD ZnSe infrared domes.
Q4: Can you make custom diameter and wall thickness ZnSe dome?
A: Yes, fully OEM customizable. We fabricate hemispherical ZnSe domes according to your mechanical drawing and optical design requirements.
Q5: Can I get ZnSe dome samples for lab testing?
A: Yes, prototype samples are available for your optical performance verification before mass production.
Related Custom Precision Optical Domes
Get Custom CVD ZnSe Infrared Dome Solution
Submit your required infrared wavelength, dome dimension and coating demands. Our optical engineers will provide professional customized ZnSe infrared dome solution and formal quotation within 24 hours.
Email: james@felixglass.com | Tel: +86 185 6503 2888 | Felix Optical Glass Co., Limited
