Turning Up the Heat on Infrared

There are three types of light wavelengths: visible, UV and infrared (IR). Visible light is the light we can see. Anyone’s who’s ever suffered through a sunburn knows all too well about UV light. And infrared light is the light given off by heat. Both UV and infrared light wavelengths are invisible to the human eye. But that doesn’t mean they’re invisible. In fact, there are a variety of sophisticated devices that can “see” infrared light. Night vision goggles are probably the most recognizable application, but there are many more including satellites and sensors at sea ports that keep an eye out after dark.

Infrared devices don’t typically employ glass since it’s not a great material for transmitting infrared waves. But infrared sensors and cameras still need lenses, mirrors and other optics.  Even though the materials they’re made of are different, the optics typically have similar requirements as glass components—requirements we’re very adept at meeting. So while we need to make use of different slurries, different polish pads and different processes, we’re still meeting the same specifications for flatness, scratch/dig and other critical criteria for the lens.

IRD Glass’ interest in infrared applications was born out of regularly attending the SPIE Defense, Security + Sensing show. Companies familiar with our reputation kept asking us if we were open to working on components for infrared devices, and we had some new blood in our company that was more than ready to accept the challenge. In the past year, we have started our IR journey in earnest by investing heavily in IR specific equipment and process development time in order to create a process capable of producing a high quantity of high power laser quality 2” silicon mirrors at better than ½ wave flatness.

This is a new market for IRD Glass with a very familiar feel to it, and we’re excited to dive in.