I realise that we have not really stated why a particular lens element material is chosen for use in a thermal imaging system. My thoughts on this selection process by the designer are as follows, but I am not a lens designer so this list is potentially incomplete/incorrect, though logical to me.
1. Cost, Cost, Cost ! Cost of parts on a BoM can be a high priority for a design team.
2. Imaging performance of the material, including properties such as ambient temperature sensitivity. Temperature effects sometimes require lens element temperature measurement in a final camera design.
3. Material robustness and resistance to damage/scratching. Special protection layers are sometimes added. Unprotected ZnSe is easily scratched as it is a relatively soft material.
4. Required dimensions and weight of lens assembly (Refractive Index plays a part if thin lenses are required) More lens material can also mean higher production cost.
5. Transmission loss (not as important as some may think but decent transmission figures are required)
6. Ease of manufacture and lead times after order
7. Any special handling or specific design requirements dictated by a particular material (can impact design costs and even production line handling)
8. Inherent Optical performance limitations of a material and its effect, if any, on the desired iimaging performance. (GASIR is a compromise material and inferior to Germanium in imaging performance) This may seem like a repetition of entry 2. on this list but it relates to the OEM’s tolerance for less than perfect optical performance. A designer can build a ‘Gold Standard’ solution but the OEM may prefer a ‘Silver’ or ‘Bronze’ standard solution to meet BoM cost targets and market position of the end device. Any production savings mean more profit
It is not unusual for a design team to meet their goals only for the management team to move the project ‘goal posts’ and request a cost-benefit analysis to reduce cost. The lens in a thermal camera is an expensive element of ten design so coat cutting measures may be employed to make economies. Such may be tolerable in the end products performance however. An example of this approach is the FLIR Lepton with its less than ideal LWIR Silicon Diffractive lens !