A common misconception in thermography is that the transparency or opaqueness of certain materials would be similar or the same from visible light to infrared light. This is obviously an incorrect assumption, as we know many materials that are transparent in visible light are actually opaque in the infrared spectrum. Below is a list of commonly used materials for lenses and windows and their infrared transparency properities.

Amtir- 1 Ge33 As12 Se55 Glass

Transmission range of 0.8-13 microns

Barium Fluoride (BaF2)

Transmission range of 0.15-12.5 microns

Potassium Bromide (KBr)

Transmission range of 0.21-28 microns

Caesium Iodide (CsI)

Transmission range of 0.25-55 microns

Potassium Chloride (KCl)

Transmission range of 0.21-21 microns

Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)

Transmission range of 2-25 microns

Sapphire (Al2O3)

Transmission range of 0.17-5.0 microns

Silicon (Si)

Transmission range of 1.2-10, 50-100 microns

High Resistivity Silicon (Si)

Transmission range of 1.2-10, 50-100 microns

Calcium Fluoride (CaF2)

Transmission range of 0.15-9.0 microns

Transmission range of 1-15 microns

Transmission range of 0.2-20 microns

Germanium (Ge)

Transmission range of 2-17 microns

BK7 Schott Glass (BK7)

Transmission range of 0.35-2.0 microns

Fused Silica UV Grade (SiO2)

Transmission range of 0.18-3.5 microns

Fused Silica IR Grade (SiO2)

Transmission range of 0.18-3.5 microns

Lithium Fluoride Vacuum UV Grade (LiF)

Transmission range of 0.12-6.5 microns

Magnesium Fluoride (MgF2)

Transmission range of 0.13-7.0 microns

Quartz (SiO2)

Transmission range of 0.15-3.3 microns

Thallium Bromoiodide KRS-5 (TlBr-TlI)

Transmission range of 0.6-40 microns

Zinc Selenide Laser Grade (ZnSe CVD)

Transmission range of 0.55-20 microns

Zinc Sulfide Cleartran (ZnS)

Transmission range of 0.37-14 microns

Infrared Plastic

Transmission range of 8-12 and 15-40 microns

The near infrared spectral range covers 0.9 microns to 1.7 microns and has found many uses in research, security, surveillence, miliitary, as well as many industrial applications. Near infrared has many uses for specific applications.

The short wave spectral range has many uses in research with a spectral range that covers 2 microns to 6 microns. Currently, ICI, does not offer any short wave infrared cameras, but we do have the ability build you a short wave camera to match your specifications.

The mid wave spectral range covers 3 microns to 5 microns of the infrared spectral range.

For obvious reasons, the long wave spectral range is the most common among thermal cameras on the market. Long wave infrared covers 7 or 8 microns to 14 microns, which is the largest coverage of the spectral ranges. Additionally, nearly every object on earth emits radiation in this spectral range making it an idea range for a wide use of applications and general use.

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