Mid-infrared ZBLAN glass optical components made by hot embossing technique

Abstract

We demonstrate the successful development of refractive lenses made of ZBLAN fluoride glass using the hot embossing technique. Synthesized in-house ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF glass is thermally stable and has high transmission in the range of 0.4–8.0 µm. A lens was formed with a brass stamp inside a resistant furnace under standard atmosphere conditions. No mechanical or chemical postprocessing is used to obtain the optical quality of the lens surface. As a proof-of-concept, we have developed plano-convex lenses with a diameter of 10 mm and f#=3. The tested lenses have good imaging properties with a resolution of 23 pl/mm and 8 pl/mm for 1.5 µm laser and broadband thermal source emitting in the mid-infrared range, respectively.