1. Silicon is used as an optical window primarily in the 3-5μm band;
2. Silicon lens are used for Thermal imaging and FLIR applications;
3. Featured small density of 2.33 g/cm³(less than half that of Germanium or ZnSe), Silicon is ideally suited to weight sensitive applications, especially those in the 3-5μm region.
4. Used for substrate of IR filters, beamsplitters.
5. Thin windows less than 3mm could be used in the 5-15μm.
6. Silicon is commonly used as substrate materials for laser mirrors because of its high thermal conductivity and low density.
Si components: