Zinc selenide (ZnSe)

ZnSe (zinc selenide) is a material that can be used to manufacture lenses for laser cutting and laser marking with extremely low absorption values.

ZnSe cutting lenses Replacement optics for all common manufacturers

ZnSe lenses for laser engraving and marking

Multiple variations f-theta lenses, windows, wedges, Brewster windows, aspheres

Material properties of ZnSe

Transmission range 0,5 - 22

Refractive index @ 10.6 µm 2,4028

Refractive index inhomogeneity @ 10.6 µm 3 x 10-6

Thermo-optical coefficient @ 10.6 µm 611 x 10-6 K-1

Absorption coefficient @ 10.6 µm 5,0 x 10-4 cm-1

ZnSe - Ideal for cutting, marking and engraving

Zinc selenide - or ZnSe - is characterized by excellent absorption values. The lenses made from this material are often used for laser cutting, laser engraving and similar applications. At Pleiger Laseroptik, we manufacture lenses from this material, usually in combination with an anti-reflective coating.

ZnSe lenses & windows:

Standard AR/AR anti-reflective coating (*A < 0,20 %)

Low-absorption AR/AR anti-reflective coating (*A < 0,15 %)

Lenses Meniscus lenses, plano-concave lenses, convex-concave lenses

Windows Protective windows and Brewster windows

Zinc selenide lenses in practice

Our zinc selenide lenses for laser cutting and laser marking are made from high-quality material with the lowest absorption values. In combination with an anti-reflective coating, PLEIGER optics enable a high-power CO2 laser to be focused with excellent precision. For the highest laser powers above 4 kW, we offer a low-absorption AR/AR coating that minimizes thermal lensing.

Thermography, IR spectroscopy, night vision devices

PLEIGER optics made of silicon, germanium, ZnSe and ZnS are used in thermography, IR spectroscopy, night vision devices and target tracking. Our product range includes windows, spherical and aspherical ZnSe lenses as well as windows for broadband applications from NIR to FIR.

ZnSe lenses made to measure

We manufacture our ZnSe lenses according to individual customer specifications. Typical products are meniscus lenses, plano-convex lenses and Brewster windows. On request, we can supply lenses including an AR/AR coating for a specific laser wavelength or for a broadband application.

Differences in quality of ZnSe lenses

A distinction is typically made between two grades of ZnSe. For high-power applications and systems such as laser cutting and laser marking, only the lowest-absorption ZnSe grade is used. This is because only this grade hardly heats up during use and enables consistent cutting and marking results.

From laser quality to high absorption

Absorption is not decisive for thermography. ZnSe material can be used here, which is more favorable than the laser quality.

Proper handling for a long service life

ZnSe can develop toxic substances if used improperly. Do not process ZnSe mechanically, do not generate dust and do not allow it to come into contact with strong acids. Observe the local regulations for disposal or contact our team if you have any questions. Our AR/AR coatings are thorium-free. We only use coating materials such as fluorides, sulphides or semiconductors.