In response to the recent global shortage of Germanium, an essential material for optical components in long-wavelength infrared cameras, Optris has engineered and launched a new optical design that completely removes the need for Germanium. Germanium has long been the main material for lenses and windows in thermal imaging systems. However, issues like supply shortages, export restrictions, and rising prices have created uncertainty. Despite these challenges, Optris continues to provide reliable product availability by leading the way with a new generation of infrared optics.
Advanced optical engineering without Germanium
The new Optris optics utilize a unique combination of specially designed infrared glasses to take the place of rare earth elements such as Germanium.
These optics offer important benefits for thermal imaging applications:
- Achromatic design — Other manufacturers have successfully used infrared glass technology for years, but suffered from size of source effects and color aberrations, degrading optical resolution and accuracy. Optris novel combination of glasses allows minimal chromatic aberration, ensuring precise thermal imaging across the long-wavelength infrared spectrum.
- Athermalized construction — the focal point remains stable and nearly independent of temperature changes. This allows the same focus setting to be set independently of operating temperatures.
- Germanium-free materials — completely free from Germanium or other restricted materials, ensuring long-term supply security.
Stable performance, seamless transition
With these new optics, Optris is not just addressing the issues caused by Germanium shortages but also setting a new standard for the industry. Customers can now count on the same precision and reliability of thermal cameras, without worrying about material availability. For customers, only minimal changes result. Field of view (FOV), F-number, and image sharpness are fully comparable to traditional Germanium optics. The launch of Germanium-free infrared optics shows Optris’ agile commitment to innovation, supply chain stability, and technological independence.
Iteratively, most lenses are replaced by this new optical design. Optris has completed the merge of the first lenses. Most optics will be swapped to the new design by the end of the year.
