Application of ZnSe in ATR Prisms

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Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) spectroscopy is a powerful technique used in IR spectroscopy for analysing samples quickly and without specialist preparation. Zinc Selenide is a preferred material for ATR prisms due to its high refractive index and wide transmission range in the IR spectrum. In ATR spectroscopy, an IR beam is directed into the ZnSe prism and reflects internally, interacting with the sample placed on the prism surface. This interaction provides detailed molecular information about the composition of the sample.

A common use case for ZnSe ATR prisms is in the pharmaceutical industry, where they enable rapid and non-destructive analysis of drug formulations, ensuring quality and consistency in production.

Applications in CO2 Lasers

ZnSe is the preferred material for CO2 laser optics, designed to operate at a wavelength of 10.6 microns. Its low absorption and high thermal conductivity contribute to efficient performance and extended durability in high-power laser systems. A key advantage of ZnSe is its partial transparency in the visible spectrum, allowing the use of a red HeNe laser for convenient system alignment.
 

In the manufacturing industry, CO2 lasers equipped with ZnSe optics are employed for precise cutting and welding of materials. The high power and efficiency of these lasers make them ideal for processing metals, plastics, and composites with exceptional accuracy and speed.

ZnSe / Zinc Selenide optical component : a complete guide

If you are working with CO2 lasers impossible to miss the bright amber windows and lenses made of ZnSe. Other very common applications are infrared imaging and biomedical applications. ZnSe is a Semi-conductor material of group II-VI.

Why is ZnSe / Zinc Selenide a good optical material ?

ZnSe has good transmission in IR up to 21µm and therefore is a good choice of material for thermal vision, moreover as it is partially transparent in the visible it is rather easy to do optical alignment.

One of the advantage of ZnSe compared to other IR material is it’s low absorption in the IR, which means it is a very interesting material* for high power lasers and therefore is commonly used for CO2 laser applications at 10,6µm. Furthemore as ZnSe is made by Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) its purity is high, therefore no impurity may impact its optical performances.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit zinc selenide lens.

Zinc Selenide is a good alternative to Germanium for high temperature applications, it can withstand up to 250°C while Germanium optical properties will deteriorate from 100°C.

*absorption would create heat and therefore damage the optics, high absorption material have low LIDT.

ZnSe / Zinc Selenide : properties

Properties chart of Zinc Selenide :

Property Values Material name Zinc Selenide Chemical formula / Chemical element ZnSe Material structure Polycrystaline, cubic structure Color Yellow Index of Refraction 2.5  (2.403 @ 10.6µm) Transmission range 600nm to 21µm Density 5.27 g/cm3 Hardness 120 Knoop Young’s modulus 71 GPa Thermal expansion 7*10-6 °K-1 Thermal conductivity 19 W/(m*°K) Melting point °K

Transmission curve of Zinc Selenide

What type of optical component can be made in ZnSe ?

Zinc Selenide is a rather soft material so it is relatively easy to machine and polish it or to diamond turn it, therefore it is directly used for most of the common optical components :

• ZnSe windows : mostly used in Infrared applications and C02 lasers (10.6µm)
• ZnSe lenses : spherical lenses and aspherical ZnSe lenses are often used in IR vision systems.
• ZnSe prisms : used in spectroscopy

Zinc Selenide doesn’t resist to acids and emits toxic gaz when in contact with acids, therefore we don’t recommend its usage for non acid free environments.

HANDLE WITH CARE ! Attention should be give when handling ZnSe optics, they are rather soft and can easily being scratched or damage, moreover the material is toxic, it is recommended to handle it with gloves, and wash hands after handling.

General specifications for windows and lenses

Properties Values Available dimensions Diam 3 to D300mm Dimensional tolerances +/-0.01mm Surface quality S&D : 20/10 Flatness 1/2 lambda Coatings AR 10.6µm or AR 8-14µm

Above value are generic specifications for fabrication, specific better value may be available and need to be reviewed case by case.

Where to buy Zinc Selenide optical component ?

ZnSe substrate are very rare naturally and therefore most of the raw material is crystal grown in laboratories.

IR precision optics suppliers provide all kind of Zinc Selenide optical components and can also offer optical coatings for enhanced characteristics.

Don’t hesitate to contact SINOPTIX for more details or request for quotation.

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