Application of germanium in infrared optics industry

The distribution of germanium is relatively scattered, the color is off-white, the nature is metalloid, the texture is hard and shiny, and it is a rare metal belonging to the carbon group. The properties in the air are relatively stable, insoluble in water, hydrochloric acid and other substances, but soluble in concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid.

Germanium metal cannot be used directly, and must be processed into germanium crystals before being put into applications in related industries such as infrared optics.

The most widely used material in the infrared optics industry is germanium crystal. Among them, the lens has different requirements on the accuracy of germanium crystals due to its different uses. For example, military infrared imaging equipment that requires high precision generally has 6-10 germanium chips, and civilian use generally only needs 2-3 germanium chips.

With the continuous advancement of science and technology, laser and infrared technology have developed extremely rapidly. As a semiconductor material, germanium has attracted widespread attention for its excellent performance in infrared optical applications. The reasons are as follows:

1. Germanium has a wide infrared band;

2. The transmittance of germanium on infrared rays of different wavelengths is higher than that of other materials;

3. The refractive index and low dispersion of germanium on different wavelengths of infrared rays are ideal;

4. Germanium has good environmental adaptability and excellent physical properties;

5. The processing of germanium is more convenient;

6. The manufacturing cost of germanium is lower.

At present, the semiconductor materials are mainly germanium, and there are other materials such as Silicon, GaAs, GaP, ZnS, and ZnSe. However, germanium is the most widely used in the lens of infrared imaging equipment, because germanium can reach 95% transmittance of infrared rays in the 8-14um band, and its stable performance is unmatched by other materials.

Germanium chips are widely used in the infrared optical industry. More than 20 million troops around the world are equipped with infrared imaging equipment made of germanium crystals, especially in military powers such as the United States and Russia. In addition, germanium crystals are not only widely used in the military, but also have a very large market in security. for example, security inspection equipment at borders and airports are increasing the application of germanium lens infrared equipment, and germanium crystals are also used in civilian markets such as automobiles, fire protection, and medical monitoring equipment.