Zinc Sulfide Optics

CVD ZnS is a highly versatile infrared optical material that is noteworthy for its unique ability to transmit light across the entire spectrum from visible wavelengths to long-wave infrared and microwave wavelengths, with the exception of the diamond. This exceptional transmission capacity makes it an invaluable component in advanced military applications and infrared search and sight systems for advanced missiles, fighter planes, tanks, and warships.

Moreover, CVD ZnS lenses have the added advantage of being able to act as a “three-in-one” light window, serving as a near-infrared laser/two-color infrared composite light window, which significantly expands their potential utility.

Zinc sulfide mid-wave infrared lenses and beam splitters play a critical role in the tunable laser spectrometer (TLS) used on Mars rovers. They enable high-precision spectral resolution and help the laser beams focus on the sample, increasing the likelihood of interaction. The beam splitter separates the signal emitted by the sample into different frequencies for fine spectral analysis.

The TLS is used to study the chemical composition and geological characteristics of Mars’ surface, and the ZnS components enable high-resolution spectroscopic measurements to determine the sample’s composition and structural information.

With high transmittance and low scattering loss, Zinc sulfide (ZnS) optics are often used as windows or lenses in CO2 lasers. For its unique chemical composition and crystal structure, ZnS enables to efficiently transmit and process light in CO2 lasers. Because CO2 lasers mainly work in the 10.6-micron band, in which the light has a strong absorption ability for most materials. 

CO2 lasers have many applications in various fields. In military, high-energy CO2 lasers are used in the actual guidance system and the shipboard laser anti-missile system. In medical treatment, ultra-pulse CO2 lasers have been widely used in laser cosmetology, ENT, gynecology, neurosurgery, and other fields. In industry, CO2 laser is used in cutting technology, welding technology, etc.

Multi-spectral zinc sulfide, produced through CVD+HIP technology, is a transparent and rugged material used in various security and civilian applications such as vehicle night vision systems. It offers high fracture toughness, hardness, and rain erosion resistance, making it the top-performing infrared optical window material. Its applications include biomedical automated recording thermometers, non-destructive testing, process control, remote sensing monitoring, maritime rescue, forest fire prevention, geological exploration, and other areas.