Stock & Custom LWIR Lenses for Thermal Imaging Systems
Shanghai Optics offers stock and custom LWIR lenses for the 8–12 μm long-wave infrared range, supporting thermal imaging, surveillance, industrial inspection, machine vision, medical imaging and other infrared optical systems.
Our portfolio includes fixed-focus, manual-focus, motorized-focus and zoom LWIR lenses, with stock configurations available for a range of focal lengths, F/#, fields of view and detector formats. For requirements beyond our standard configurations, custom LWIR lenses can be designed around detector format, pixel pitch, focal length, F/#, field of view, optical materials, coatings and mechanical integration.
Shanghai Optics supports both rapid stock-lens selection and custom development from optical design and prototyping through OEM production.
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Custom LWIR Lens Capabilities
Shanghai Optics develops LWIR lenses around application-specific optical, detector and mechanical requirements, including:
- Lens configurations: fixed focus, manual focus, motorized focus and zoom
- Spectral range: LWIR designs for approximately 8–12 μm
- Detector integration: custom designs around detector format and pixel pitch
- Optical parameters: custom focal length, F/#, field of view and working distance
- Materials: germanium, ZnSe, chalcogenide glass and other IR materials
- Coatings: application-specific infrared anti-reflection coatings
- Mechanical integration: custom interfaces, mounts and packaging
- Production: prototype development through repeat OEM manufacturing
- Engineering support: optical design, material selection, thermal considerations and manufacturability review
Stock LWIR Lenses
Shanghai Optics offers a range of stock LWIR lenses for thermal imaging and infrared camera systems, providing a faster starting point for prototyping, system evaluation and applications that do not require a fully custom optical design.Available specifications vary by model and can include different focal lengths, F/#, fields of view, detector formats and mechanical configurations.For applications that cannot be met by an existing stock configuration, Shanghai Optics can develop a custom LWIR lens around the required detector and system specifications.View Stock LWIR Lens Specifications →
LWIR Lens Configurations
Shanghai Optics supports multiple LWIR lens configurations for thermal imaging and infrared optical systems. Stock and custom options can be selected according to detector format, focal length, field of view, focusing method and system integration requirements.
Fixed-Focus LWIR Lenses: Fixed-focus LWIR lenses are available for systems requiring a defined working range and stable optical configuration. Focal length, F/#, detector format, interface and mechanical dimensions can be selected or customized around the imaging system.
Manual-Focus LWIR Lenses: Manual-focus LWIR lenses provide adjustable focusing for applications requiring flexibility across different object distances. Shanghai Optics supports custom manual-focus designs with application-specific focal length, detector format, interface and optical requirements.
Motorized-Focus LWIR Lenses: Motorized LWIR lenses provide electronically controlled focus adjustment for remote, automated or integrated thermal imaging systems. Custom designs can be developed around focal length, detector format, focusing range, mechanical envelope and system-control requirements.
LWIR Zoom Lenses: LWIR zoom lenses are available for applications requiring variable field of view while maintaining thermal imaging performance across the zoom range. Shanghai Optics can support discrete and continuous zoom configurations based on detector, focal-length range, F/#, image-quality and mechanical requirements.
LWIR Lenses for Detector & Camera Integration
LWIR lens performance should be matched to the detector and complete thermal imaging system rather than specified by focal length alone. Shanghai Optics can develop custom lenses around detector format, pixel pitch, focal length, F/#, field of view, image circle and mechanical interface requirements.
Designs can be evaluated for detector formats including 640 × 512 and 1280 × 1024, as well as other sensor configurations based on the required image quality and system architecture.
For custom camera integration, provide the detector specifications together with the required field of view, working distance, mechanical envelope and environmental conditions.
LWIR Optical Materials
Material selection for an LWIR lens depends on the spectral range, thermal environment, optical design, mechanical requirements and operating conditions of the system.
Germanium is commonly used in LWIR systems because of its infrared transmission, mechanical durability and suitability for many thermal imaging applications. However, its refractive index changes significantly with temperature, which can contribute to focus shift in systems operating across a wide temperature range.
ZnSe can be considered for applications requiring different spectral, thermal or optical characteristics, while chalcogenide glasses provide additional design options for MWIR and LWIR optical systems.
Material selection should be evaluated together with the optical prescription, operating temperature range and coating requirements rather than independently.
Thermal Performance & Athermalization
Temperature changes can affect the refractive properties of infrared materials as well as the dimensions of lens elements, mounts and housings. For LWIR systems operating across a broad temperature range, these effects should be considered during optical and mechanical design.
Shanghai Optics can evaluate material selection, optical prescription and mechanical configuration around the required operating temperature range to reduce focus shift and maintain imaging performance where thermal stability is critical.
LWIR Lens Design & Specification Considerations
LWIR lens performance depends on the relationship between the detector, focal length, F/#, field of view, wavelength range, optical materials, temperature range and mechanical architecture.
For thermal imaging systems, detector format and pixel pitch should be considered together with image-space resolution and MTF requirements. Distortion, relative illumination, stray light, transmission and thermal stability may also become important depending on the application.
Shanghai Optics can review existing optical specifications or system requirements to determine an appropriate and manufacturable LWIR lens configuration.
Specifying a Custom LWIR Lens
For an engineering review or quotation, provide the available system requirements, including:- Detector format and resolution
- Pixel pitch
- Operating wavelength range
- Effective focal length
- F/#
- Required field of view
- Working distance or focus range
- Image circle
- Focus method: fixed, manual or motorized
- Interface and mechanical envelope
- Operating temperature range
- Environmental requirements
- Optical performance requirements, such as MTF and distortion
- Prototype and production quantities
Submit Your LWIR Lens Requirements →
LWIR Lens Manufacturing & Optical Testing
Shanghai Optics manufactures and verifies LWIR lens assemblies according to project-specific optical and mechanical requirements.
Depending on the lens and application, testing and inspection can include:
- MTF
- Field of view
- Transmission
- Reflectivity
- Effective focal length
- Distortion
- Field curvature
- Astigmatism
- Dimensional and mechanical inspection
Shanghai Optics operates under an ISO 9001-certified quality management system. Inspection and documentation requirements can be defined according to customer specifications and applicable standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key inputs include the detector format, pixel pitch, operating wavelength, focal length, F/#, field of view, working distance, image circle, focusing method, mechanical interface and operating temperature range. MTF, distortion, transmission and environmental requirements should also be provided where applicable.
The lens should be designed around the detector's format, resolution, pixel pitch and active area, together with the required field of view and image quality. These parameters influence focal length, F/#, image circle and the spatial-frequency range over which MTF performance should be evaluated.
Yes. Custom LWIR lenses can be developed around 640 × 512, 1280 × 1024 and other detector formats, provided the detector dimensions, pixel pitch, required field of view, F/# and mechanical interface are defined.
The appropriate focusing method depends on the operating distance and system architecture. Fixed-focus lenses are suited to defined imaging conditions, manual-focus lenses allow user adjustment, and motorized-focus lenses support remote or automated focusing. The optical and mechanical design should be developed around the required focus range and application.
Material selection should consider spectral transmission, refractive properties, thermal behavior, environmental conditions, mechanical requirements and coating compatibility. For systems exposed to significant temperature variation, thermal effects should be evaluated as part of the complete optical and mechanical design.
Yes. For applications where temperature variation can affect focus or image quality, the optical and mechanical design can be evaluated for thermal stability and athermalization. Required operating and storage temperature ranges should be provided during the design review.
Shanghai Optics supports motorized-focus and zoom LWIR lens configurations, including custom designs developed around focal-length range, detector format, field of view, focusing requirements and mechanical integration.
Depending on the application, relevant specifications can include MTF, transmission, distortion, field curvature, astigmatism, relative illumination, effective focal length and field of view. The required values should be defined in relation to the detector and system-level imaging requirements.
Need a Custom LWIR Lens for Your Optical System?
Looking for a stock lens or developing a custom LWIR solution? Explore Shanghai Optics’ stock LWIR lens options, or send us your detector specifications, focal length, F/#, field of view, wavelength range, focus method, operating temperature and mechanical requirements for a custom design.
