Core Pain Points We Solve
Ordinary glass domes block infrared spectrum, resulting in invalid thermal imaging and low detection accuracy
Untargeted coating causes low MWIR/LWIR transmittance, blurring night thermal surveillance footage
Generic optical domes suffer thermal shock and abrasion in high-frequency thermal detection scenarios
Most suppliers cannot customize precise spectral coatings for exclusive infrared wavelength bands
Product Key Advantages
Professional IR Transparent Material System
Exclusive selection of infrared-specific materials including ZnS, ZnSe and infrared-grade sapphire. Perfectly adapt to MWIR (3–5μm) and LWIR (8–14μm) working bands, solving the fundamental problem that ordinary optical glass cannot transmit infrared light.
Custom MWIR/LWIR Targeted AR Coating
Support customized single-band and dual-band infrared anti-reflection coatings. Greatly improves infrared spectral transmittance, suppresses stray light and background interference, and delivers clearer thermal imaging contrast for night surveillance.
Ultra-Low Distortion Infrared Polishing
Adopts aerospace-grade ultra-precision surface processing technology. Strict optical uniformity and flatness control ensure zero distortion thermal imaging output, meeting high-precision infrared detection and tracking requirements.
Excellent Thermal & Mechanical Stability
IR dome materials feature stable physical properties, strong thermal shock resistance and low thermal expansion rate. Maintain consistent optical performance during long-term high-frequency infrared detection and temperature changes.
Dual-Band Day & Night Surveillance Compatible
Matches EOIR dual-spectrum turret systems, supporting synchronous visible light monitoring and infrared thermal imaging. One dome meets all-weather day and night surveillance operational needs.
Pure Infrared Vertical Customization
Focus on infrared optical dome R&D and production, independent from visible-light dome process. Provide exclusive optical solutions for thermal imaging equipment manufacturers.
Core Material Overview
Thermal imaging IR domes use five professional infrared-transparent substrates, selected based on working wavelength, environmental durability and detection sensitivity requirements
Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) — The most widely used IR dome material, transmitting 3–12μm with good environmental durability and moderate cost. Standard choice for MWIR/LWIR thermal surveillance turrets and outdoor infrared systems.
Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) — Higher transmittance than ZnS in LWIR band with lower absorption coefficient. Preferred for high-sensitivity long-wave thermal imaging, cooled detector systems and precision temperature measurement.
Infrared-Grade Sapphire — Mohs 9 extreme hardness, broadband transmission from visible to mid-IR. Ideal for harsh-environment EOIR turrets requiring scratch resistance, high pressure and dual-band visible+IR operation.
Germanium (Ge) — Highest refractive index among common IR materials, excellent for LWIR imaging. Sensitive to temperature changes, best suited for controlled-environment high-precision infrared optics.
Calcium Fluoride (CaF₂) — Broad transmission from UV to LWIR with low dispersion. Suitable for multi-spectral systems and SWIR/MWIR applications requiring wide spectral coverage.
Full Performance Comparison Table
| Parameter | ZnS | ZnSe | IR Sapphire | Germanium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission Band | 3–12μm | 0.6–18μm | 0.2–5μm | 2–14μm |
| MWIR (3–5μm) Transmittance | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
| LWIR (8–14μm) Transmittance | Good | Excellent | Not suitable | Excellent |
| Mohs Hardness | 3–4 | 2.5 | 9 | 6 |
| Environmental Durability | Good | Low (needs protection) | Superior | Moderate |
| Cost & Availability | Cost-effective | High cost | High cost | Very high cost |
Material Selection Guide (Quick Decision Table)
| Application Scenario | Recommended Material |
|---|---|
| Conventional MWIR/LWIR outdoor thermal surveillance | ZnS |
| High-sensitivity LWIR cooled detector system | ZnSe |
| EOIR dual-band visible + IR turret (harsh env.) | IR Sapphire |
| High-precision LWIR imaging (controlled env.) | Germanium (Ge) |
| Multi-spectral SWIR/MWIR wide-band system | CaF₂ |
| UAV airborne day-night dual-spectrum payload | ZnS or IR Sapphire |
Engineering Specification Table
| Parameter Item | Custom Technical Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Type | MWIR / LWIR Dual-Band Infrared Optical Dome |
| Core IR Materials | ZnS, ZnSe, Infrared Grade Sapphire, Germanium (Ge), Calcium Fluoride (CaF₂) |
| Working Spectrum | MWIR 3–5μm / LWIR 8–14μm Customizable |
| Optical Surface Quality | 20/10, 40/20 MIL ultra-precision grade |
| Custom Coatings | MWIR AR, LWIR AR, Dual-Band BBAR Infrared Coating |
| Imaging Distortion | Ultra-low distortion for high-precision IR detection |
| Processing Feature | Precision polishing, spectral customization, edge finishing |
| Application Scenarios | UAV EOIR turret, thermal imaging surveillance, infrared detection system |
Coating Solution
Targeted infrared anti-reflection coatings matched to substrate material and working wavelength for maximum thermal transmittance
| Coating Type | Wavelength Range | Typical Reflectance | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| MWIR Single-Band AR | 3–5μm | <1% per surface | Mid-wave infrared thermal detection |
| LWIR Single-Band AR | 8–14μm | <1.5% per surface | Long-wave infrared night vision |
| Dual-Band BBAR (MWIR+LWIR) | 3–14μm | <2% per surface | Dual-band all-weather thermal surveillance |
| DLC Diamond-Like Carbon Coating | IR broadband | — | Outdoor abrasion protection for ZnS/ZnSe domes |
In-House Infrared Dome Manufacturing Capability
All thermal IR domes are produced in Class 100 dust-free optical workshops with professional infrared material processing lines. We complete IR blank forming, ultra-precision infrared polishing, spectral targeted vacuum coating and full optical parameter testing to ensure each dome meets aerospace and industrial thermal imaging standards.
Typical Application Scenarios
- UAV EOIR dual-spectrum surveillance turret systems
- MWIR & LWIR thermal imaging detection equipment
- Night vision infrared monitoring and tracking systems
- Aerospace airborne infrared observation pods
- Industrial high-precision infrared temperature measurement devices
Our optical engineering team provides one-stop customized infrared solutions, including spectral coating design, material selection optimization, structural customization and prototype verification. Every thermal imaging IR dome undergoes strict dual-band optical testing before delivery to ensure stable all-weather imaging performance.
Why Choose Our Thermal Imaging IR Domes
Professional IR Technology
Focus on infrared optical customization, mature MWIR/LWIR coating process
Dedicated IR Production Line
Independent infrared processing workshop, no visible-light process mixing
Deep Customization
Custom size, thickness and exclusive spectral coating for your system
Strict IR Testing
100% transmittance, distortion and spectral performance inspection
US & EU Standard
Meet international aerospace infrared optical industry standards
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the difference between IR dome and ordinary optical dome?
A: Ordinary glass cannot transmit mid-wave and long-wave infrared light. Our IR domes adopt professional infrared materials and targeted coatings, specially designed for thermal imaging and infrared detection systems.
Q2: Can you customize coating for specific infrared wavelength?
A: Yes. We support exclusive AR coating customization for 3–5μm MWIR and 8–14μm LWIR, and can develop special spectral solutions according to your camera chip parameters.
Q3: Which material should I choose, ZnS, ZnSe or sapphire?
A: ZnS is cost-effective for conventional thermal imaging; ZnSe has higher transmittance for high-end LWIR equipment; infrared sapphire is more suitable for scenarios requiring high hardness and impact resistance.
Q4: Do you support custom diameter and thickness?
A: Fully customizable. We provide OEM processing according to your turret installation size, structural tolerance and optical design requirements.
Q5: Can you provide prototype samples for testing?
A: Yes. We support small-batch sample customization for client performance verification before mass production.
Related Custom Precision Optical Domes
Get Custom MWIR / LWIR IR Dome Solution
Submit your required infrared band, installation size and coating demands. Our optical engineers will provide professional customized thermal imaging dome solution and formal quotation within 24 hours.
Email: james@felixglass.com | Tel: +86 185 6503 2888 | Hong Kong Felix Optical Glass Co., Limited
