Polymer IR Lens Alternative to Germanium

Infrared (IR) thermal imaging systems have become indispensable across various military applications, providing critical capabilities in surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition. These systems rely heavily on advanced optical components to deliver high-quality thermal images. However, the effectiveness of current IR thermal imaging systems is often constrained by the performance, size, weight, and cost of existing lens technologies. Traditional IR lenses, particularly those made from germanium, represent a significant portion of the camera moduleĺs overall size, weight, and cost. Germanium's high cost and supply chain vulnerabilities further exacerbate these challenges.áCornerstone Research Group Inc. (CRG) proposes to research, develop, demonstrate, and deploy novel Sulfur-Selenium polymers specifically designed for use as high-performance IR transparent lenses in uncooled bolometers. These advanced lenses, and their associated thermal imaging modules, aim to enhance the performance of a wide range of military platforms, including man-portable systems, ground vehicles, surveillance drones, and larger reconnaissance systems.