When pure-grade silicon is paired with the proper coatings, its optical, mechanical and thermal properties make it an excellent alternative to germanium and chalcogenide glasses for LWIR protective windows — the ideal balance of performance, cost and reliability.

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Peak transmission>80%

Hardness1150 Knoop

vs. germanium2× stronger

Max diameter8″

[ 01 / THE MATERIAL ]

Silicon, done right.

More than twice the strength of germanium, cost-effective, and readily available — purpose-built for thermal LWIR imaging from 8 to 12 microns.

BandLWIR 8–12µm

Strength2× GERMANIUM

Lead timeSHORT

[ 02 / SPECIFICATIONS ]

Built to spec.

Spectral bandLWIR · 8 – 12 µm

Peak transmission> 80%

CoatingsDiamond-Like Carbon (DLC) · double-side A/R

Hardness1150 Knoop

High-temperature useSafe to ~200° C

StandardsMIL-F-48616 · MIL-C-48497C

Available sizesUp to 8″ in diameter

MountingOptional VHB adhesive

[ 03 / COATINGS ]

Coated for harsh environments.

Two coatings do the work: diamond-like carbon for durability, anti-reflection for throughput.

Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) — excellent durability, scratch resistance and optical performance for harsh environments
Anti-Reflection (A/R) — reduces surface reflections so more light reaches the sensor
Superior durability — twice the breakage resistance of germanium, proven in dropball tests
Thermal stability — excellent thermal conductivity dissipates heat efficiently

[ 04 / WHERE IT WORKS ]

Built for thermal imaging that can’t fail.

Thermography · Military (DOD) · Furnace inspection · Night vision & surveillance · Mine detection · Medical imaging · Industrial process control · Firefighting.

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Spec a SiLWIR™ window.

Short lead times on all SiLWIR™ Protective Windows. Tell us your application — we’ll connect you with a local distributor or quote direct.