Germanium is the most commonly used material for making optical lenses and optical windows in high-efficiency infrared imaging systems. Germanium has the characteristics of high refractive index (about 4.0 in the 2-14μm band), minimum surface curvature and small chromatic aberration. In low-power imaging systems, it usually does not require correction.
| Material | Ge (Monocrystal) |
| Dia | 1-400mm |
| Dia. Tolerance | '+0.0/-0.05mm |
| Angle Tolerance | ±2"-±5" |
| Transmited Wavefront | λ/10 Per @633nm |
| Surface Quality | 10-5 |
| Bevel | 0.1-0.5mm |
| Coating | 8-14um or 3-5um |