Germanium is a core optical material widely applied in the infrared spectrum, with a typical spectral transmission range of 2.0–16μm.
It features a high refractive index, high Knoop hardness, and excellent chemical stability — it remains inert to air, water, and common acids and alkalis at room temperature. This makes it a preferred choice for thermal imaging and infrared imaging systems deployed in harsh operating environments.
Material | Germanium |
Tolerance | +/-0.01mm/+/-0.1mm |
Flatness | λ/10~1λ |
Parallelism or Centration | < 30 arc seconds |
Focal Length | +/-1% |
Surface Quality | 40/20 |
Clear Aperture | >90% |
Bevel | Protective bevel |
Coating | According to customer's request |
Germanium (Ge) is a high-performance crystalline optical material designed for infrared band applications, with a standard spectral transmission range of 2.0–16 μm.
Boasting a high refractive index, excellent Knoop hardness and superior chemical inertness, germanium remains stable when exposed to air, water, and common acids/alkalis at room temperature. This makes it a reliable solution for infrared and thermal imaging systems deployed in harsh operating environments.
High refractive index
Germanium has a wavelength-dependent refractive index that is notably high in the infrared spectrum. This property enables compact optical design and precise light focusing, making it ideal for high-precision infrared optical systems.
Broad transmission & low absorption loss
With consistently high transmittance across the 2–16 μm infrared band and a low absorption coefficient, germanium minimizes optical energy loss, significantly boosting system efficiency and detection sensitivity.
Low chromatic dispersion
Its low dispersion characteristic ensures consistent focal performance across multiple wavelengths, effectively reducing chromatic aberration and improving imaging clarity.
Robust environmental stability
Germanium retains stable optical properties across a wide operating temperature range and exhibits strong chemical resistance, supporting reliable long-term operation in demanding industrial and outdoor conditions.
Leveraging its wide infrared transmission and inherent opacity in the visible spectrum, germanium is widely adopted in infrared laser and imaging systems. Common use cases include:
Thermal imaging cameras & night vision devices
Biomedical infrared imaging equipment
Military defense optical systems
Infrared sensors and photodetectors
Industrial process monitoring systems
We provide fully customized germanium optical components tailored to your unique application requirements. Our product portfolio includes:
Germanium lenses
Germanium domes
Germanium windows
All components can be manufactured strictly according to your drawings and specifications, with full quality inspection to ensure consistent batch performance.
Phone: +86 189 4674 7897
E-mail: info@aosoptics.com
Whatsapp:8618946747897
Add: Yiju Road High-Tech Zone, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China
