Click here to view the Infrared Optics section of our 2008 Product Catalog.

Recent advances in optical materials now provide a common technology path to produce mid and long-wavelength infrared (MWIR & LWIR) aspheres by compression molding. LightPath's Black Diamond™ technology enables high performance, cost-effective IR aspheric lenses that do not rely on traditional diamond turning or lengthy polishing methods.

LightPath's Black Diamond™ LWIR moldable glass has several advantages over Germanium, which is traditionally used for aspheric LWIR optics. Germanium suffers from transmission loss as temperature increases, especially as the temperature reaches 100°C. Germanium's transmission decreases by 20-30° at 100°C.

Black Diamond™ aspheric lenses can be used in environments up to 300°C, enabling a range of applications that were not previously possible with Germanium. LightPath's Black Diamond™ aspheres are currently available as catalog lenses or on a custom basis with diameters up to 25mm. Development is in progress to allow the manufacture of these lenses in diameters up to 50mm.

• High numerical aperture for maximum collection efficiency
• Compact, single lens design
• Diffraction limited performance
• Molded Black Diamond™ Infrared Lens
• RoHS Compliant

Datasheet: Lens Code 390035
Datasheet: Lens Codes 390004/390037

• Cost effective replacement for high volume diamond-turned lenses
• Passive athermalization for greater temperature stability at a lower cost
• Designed for 15mm uncooled IR sensors
• Incorporates LightPath's exclusive Black Diamond™ molded IR lenses
• Optimized for the 8 - 12mm wavelength range

• Design and development
• Large capacity in-house production of optical components
• Pilot product
• Automated production
• Automated laser welding
• Pick and place
• Automated optical alignment
• Automated test
• Reliability and failure analysis
• ISO 9001:2000 Registered

Datasheet: Athermalized 14.9 mm f/1.3 Lens


LightPath's Infrared Lens Assemblies are specifically designed to be a lower cost replacement for standard IR optical assemblies. This lens assembly integrates our exclusive Black Diamond™ molded lenses into a complete ready-to-use package. Molded IR lenses are a lower cost substitute for traditional high volume diamond-turned optics. LightPath's catalog of IR Lens Assemblies is constantly expanding.