With the recent development of less costly uncooled infrared detector technology, expensive optics are among the remaining significant cost drivers. For many years, germanium has been the critical material for thermal imaging in the 8- to 12-μm wavelength range, which is used in a wide variety of defense and commercial applications. However, the costs associated with germanium lenses had prohibited a breakthrough for high-volume commercial systems.

Researchers and engineers at Umicore Electro-Optic Materials have developed a chalcogenide glass with a transmission range of 0.8 to 15 μm. The material, called Gasir, can be used for near-infrared as well as mid- and long-wavelength infrared applications...