Silicon
Silicon Aspheric Lenses
Silicon Aspheric Lenses for compact NIR/SWIR imaging, with Silicon material, custom size review, and coating options.
silicon-aspheric-lenses
Silicon (Si)
Silicon (Si) optical material for NIR and SWIR optics, with local refractive-index reference data for engineering and RFQ review.
Key Properties
Primary engineering references for material screening, packaging review, and RFQ preparation.
Transmission Range
1.2 - 7 um
Refractive Index
3.4150 at 10.0 um
Density
2.33 g/cm3
Knoop Hardness
1100 kg/mm2
Young's Modulus
130.91 GPa
Thermal Expansion
2.6 x 10^-6 /K @293 K
About Silicon (Si)
Overview
Silicon (Si) is often selected for NIR and SWIR windows, compact infrared lenses, and rugged assemblies where high hardness and a relatively high refractive index are useful. In practice, Silicon should be reviewed against the real wavelength band because it is not a universal broadband IR material.
Key Material Reference
| Parameter | Reference |
|---|---|
| Practical Transmission Guidance | 1.2-7.0 µm |
| Local RII Dataset Range | 1.20-14.0 µm |
| Reference Dataset | Li tabulated n, 293 K |
| Refractive Index | 3.4150 at 10.0 µm |
| Density | 2.33 g/cm3 |
| Knoop Hardness | 1100 kg/mm2 |
| Young's Modulus | 130.91 GPa |
| Thermal Expansion | 2.6 x 10^-6 /K @293 K |
Selected Refractive Index Reference
The points below are practical references from the local RII dataset at 293 K. Final modeling should still use the confirmed operating band and the real coating condition of the finished optic.
| Wavelength (µm) | Refractive Index |
|---|---|
| 1.200 | 3.5167 |
| 1.550 | 3.4757 |
| 3.000 | 3.4302 |
| 5.000 | 3.4195 |
| 10.000 | 3.4150 |
| 14.000 | 3.4142 |
Typical Applications
- NIR and SWIR windows
- Compact IR lenses
- Rugged sensing optics
- Protective optics for harsh environments
Engineering Notes
Silicon is usually selected when hardness, compact optical power, or cost structure is more important than very broad transmission. Engineers should confirm coating target, reflection control, package layout, and the real working band before release. Compare other candidate substrates through the materials index and the available fabrication options under products if the design may also fit Ge or ZnSe.
Procurement Checklist
- State the exact operating band because Silicon may be suitable in one IR band and a poor choice in another.
- Include diameter, clear aperture, center thickness, quantity, and coating target in the RFQ.
- Call out whether the part is a protective window, a powered optic, or a substrate blank.
- Provide any packaging or thermal-environment note that affects mount review and inspection scope.
Request Engineering Review
Send wavelength band, dimensions, coating target, quantity, and application notes through the contact page for a practical Silicon review.
Material Properties
Material
Silicon (Si)
Practical Transmission Guidance
1.2-7.0 um
Local Dataset Range
1.2-14.0 um
Reference Dataset
Li tabulated n, local RII database
Reference Temperature
293 K
Refractive Index
3.4150 at 10.0 um
Density
2.33 g/cm3
Knoop Hardness
1100 kg/mm2
Young's Modulus
130.91 GPa
Thermal Expansion
2.6 x 10^-6 /K @293 K
Common Applications
NIR windowsSWIR windowsCompact IR lensesRugged sensing opticsProtective optics
Silicon (Si) Products
Silicon
Silicon Optics
Silicon Optics for NIR/SWIR imaging, with Silicon material, custom size review, and coating options.
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Silicon Plano-Convex Lenses
Silicon plano-convex lenses for 1.2-8 um infrared systems, including uncoated and 3-5 um AR-coated options for MWIR applications.
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Silicon Windows
Silicon Windows for NIR/SWIR sensor protection and compact infrared assemblies, with Silicon material, custom size review, and coating options.
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