When deciding between a plano-convex lens and a bi-convex lens, both of which cause collimated incident light to converge, it is usually preferable to choose a plano-convex lens if the desired absolute magnification is either less than 0.2 or greater than 5. Between these two values, bi-convex lenses are generally preferred.
Due to its broad transmission range ( 2 – 16 µm) and stable chemical properties, Germanium is well suited for IR laser applications, it is excellent for security, military and imaging applications. However Ge’s transmission properties are highly temperature sensitive; in fact, the absorption becomes so large that germanium is nearly opaque at 100 °C and completely non-transmissive at 200 °C.
Paralight Optics offers Germanium (Ge) Plano-convex (PCX) Lenses available with a broadband AR coating for the 8 µm to 12 μm spectral range deposited on both surfaces. This coating greatly reduces the high surface reflectivity of the substrate, yielding an average transmission in excess of 97% over the entire AR coating range. Check the Graphs for your references.
Germanium (Ge)
Uncoated or with DLC & Antireflective Coatings Optimized for the 8 - 12 μm Range
Available from 15 to 1000 mm
Excellent for Security, Military, and Imaging Applications
Substrate Material
Germanium (Ge)
Type
Plano-Convex (PCX) Lens
Index of Refraction
4.003 @ 10.6 μm
Abbe Number (Vd)
Not defined
Thermal Expansion Coefficient (CTE)
6.1 x 10-6/℃
Diameter Tolerance
Precison: +0.00/-0.10mm | High Precision: +0.00/-0.02mm
Thickness Tolerance
Precison: +/-0.10 mm | High Precision: +/-0.02 mm
Focal Length Tolerance
+/- 1%
Surface Quality (Scratch-Dig)
Precison: 60-40 | High Precision: 40-20
Surface Flatness (Plano Side)
λ/4
Spherical Surface Power (Convex Side)
3 λ/4
Surface Irregularity (Peak to Valley)
λ/4
Centration
Precison: <3 arcmin | High Precision: <30 arcsec
Clear Aperture
> 80% of Diameter
AR Coating Range
8 - 12 μm
Transmission over Coating Range (@ 0° AOI)
Tavg > 94%, Tabs > 90%
Reflectance over Coating Range (@ 0° AOI)
Ravg < 1%, Rabs < 2%
Design Wavelength
10.6 μm
Laser Damage Threshold
0.5 J/cm2 (1 ns, 100 Hz, @10.6 μm)