ZnSe Plano-Convex Lenses

Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) plano-convex lenses optimized for CO₂ laser systems at 10.6µm. Exceptional infrared transmission from 0.6µm to 20µm with low absorption for high-power laser cutting, welding and medical applications.

Key Specifications

MaterialZinc Selenide (ZnSe), CVD grade
Transmission Range0.6 – 20 µm
Design Wavelength10.6 µm (CO₂ laser)
Diameter Range6mm – 75mm
Focal Length Range25mm – 500mm
Surface Quality40-20 / 20-10 (MIL-PRF-13830B)
Centration< 3 arc min
CoatingAR @ 10.6µm, R < 0.2% per surface
Absorption< 0.005/cm @ 10.6µm
Refractive Index~2.40 @ 10.6µm

Material Options

Select the optimal optical material based on your wavelength, power, thermal environment and mechanical requirements.

Coating Options

Coatings are engineered around your specific wavelength and operating conditions.

Manufacturing Tolerances

We optimize specifications to match your system requirements — not over-specify. Tighter tolerances increase cost without always improving system performance. Our engineers will work with you to identify which parameters actually matter for your application and where standard tolerances are sufficient. Typical manufacturing capabilities:

Inspection & Quality

Every component undergoes 100% inspection before shipment. We provide full inspection documentation including interferometer reports, spectral transmission curves, surface quality images and dimensional measurement data. Equipment capabilities:

Applications

Engineering Considerations

Thermal properties: ZnSe has relatively high thermal expansion (7.1 × 10⁻⁶/K) and dn/dT of 60 × 10⁻⁶/K. At high CO₂ laser powers (>1kW), thermal lensing becomes significant. Design your beam delivery with this in mind.

Handling: ZnSe is relatively soft (Mohs 4) and susceptible to scratching. Handle with care, use clean compressed air for cleaning rather than wiping. Avoid contact with acidic or alkaline solutions.

Meniscus vs plano-convex: For high-power CO₂ systems, meniscus lenses distribute heat more evenly and reduce thermal stress compared to plano-convex designs. Consider meniscus for powers above 2kW.

Is ZnSe the Right Lens Material for Your System?

ZnSe is the standard for CO2 laser optics. This guide helps confirm it matches your wavelength and application.

Laser Wavelength
Your Requirement Best Material Why
CO2 laser (10.6um) Znse ✓ ZnSe is the industry standard for 10.6um CO2 laser optics. Transmits 0.6-18um.
Nd:YAG (1064nm) Fused Silica ZnSe can transmit at 1064nm but fused silica is more cost-effective for NIR laser focusing.
Fiber laser (1070nm) Fused Silica For fiber lasers, fused silica offers better performance and cost.
Visible Alignment
Your Requirement Best Material Why
Need visible alignment beam Znse ✓ ZnSe transmits visible red (> 600nm), allowing HeNe alignment through the optic.
No alignment beam needed Germanium If alignment is done with IR cameras, Ge is also an option for LWIR.
Environment
Your Requirement Best Material Why
Industrial workshop (dirty) Znse ✓ Specify DLC coating on ZnSe for industrial environments. Prevents contamination.
Cleanroom / lab Znse ✓ Standard AR coating is sufficient for controlled environments.
Summary
ZnSe is the right choice for CO2 laser (10.6um) systems and broadband IR applications from visible to LWIR. If your system operates exclusively in the MWIR band with weight constraints, consider silicon. For NIR laser systems, fused silica is more economical.

Engineering Documentation

The following documentation is available upon request for qualified engineering projects:

📐
Dimensional Drawing

CAD & dimensional specs per your requirements

📊
Material Data Sheet

Material properties, transmission curves & certificates

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Coating Performance Curve

Spectrophotometric measurement data

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Inspection Report

Surface quality, flatness, centration & dimensional data

✅
Certificate of Conformance

CoC with full traceability per project requirements

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Custom Specification Sheet

Application-specific specification documentation

Documentation availability depends on project scope and order quantity. Request details during RFQ.

How to Specify

When requesting a quote for this product, please specify the following parameters to help our engineering team provide an accurate quotation:

Not sure about specifications? Upload your drawing and our team will assist with engineering review.

Ordering Information

Price Range
See Quote
Standard Lead Time
Ships within 1 week after payment
Custom Lead Time
Subject to engineering evaluation
MOQ
1 Piece
Samples
Available

Contact us for exact pricing based on your specifications.

Specification Parameters

Typical Specifications shown on this page are standard capabilities. Available Options include alternative materials and coatings. Custom Specifications are available per your drawing. Requirements beyond standard capability are marked Subject to Engineering Review.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum laser power a ZnSe lens can handle?
With proper AR coating and adequate beam diameter, CVD ZnSe lenses can handle >5kW CW CO2 laser power. The key limitation is absorption-induced heating. Ensure beam diameter is large enough to keep power density below the coating damage threshold.
How do I clean ZnSe optics?
Use clean, dry compressed air or nitrogen to blow off particles first. For fingerprints or residue, use high-purity isopropyl alcohol and gentle blotting (not rubbing). Avoid acetone, which can damage AR coatings on ZnSe.
What is the difference between CVD ZnSe and Cleartran ZnSe?
Cleartran is a premium CVD ZnSe grade with lower absorption coefficient (<0.003/cm vs <0.005/cm). For high-power systems >2kW, Cleartran reduces thermal lensing. For most cutting and marking applications, standard CVD ZnSe is sufficient.

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Related Technical Resources

→ Laser Damage Threshold: What Engineers Need to Know

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ZnSe Material · Laser Applications · Industrial Optics · AI Optical Engineer

Further Reading: Engineering Guides & Application Notes

Optical Materials Selection Handbook Laser Optics Components Guide AR Coating Specification for Multi-Wavelength Systems Browse All Knowledge Center Articles Browse All Application Notes

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