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Zinc sulfide

Material
ZnS

Zinksulfid (ZnS) is a material used for optical components for the infrared range. Unlike other materials for the infrared range such as germanium or silicon, zinc sulfide is also transparent in the visible spectral range. ZnS is produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). In this process, the material is divided into two grades, which differ in their transmission properties:

Infrared quality (FLIR) is a polycrystalline material that is used as it was deposited during manufacture. It is used for optics in the wavelength range between 0.4 µm and 12 µm.

Multispectral quality (ms) is posttreated in a process step after growth to eliminate microscopic pores/cavities and defects that occur during the CVD process. This improves the transmission properties of the material, allowing the multispectral zinc sulfide to be used in the wavelength range between 0.35 µm and 14 µm. The multispectral zinc sulfide is used for windows or domes that require a single aperture or beam path for some wavelength bands, such as in visual cameras, medium- and long-wavelength detectors, and laser-based rangefinders. Multispectral zinc sulfide is also used in the field of temperature measurement.

Properties
Optical and spectral properties
FLIR ZnS
Multispectral ZnS
Transmission range in µm (minimum 10%)
1‐14
0,35‐14
Transmission range in µm (minimum 50%)
1‐13
0,37‐13
Refractive index @633nm
2,351

(2,192 @10,6µm)

2,351

(2,201 @10µm)

Reflection losses in % at 1 surface
14 @10µm
14 @10µm
Reflection losses, % for two surfaces
24,6 @10,6µm
24,7 @10,6µm
dN/dT in 1/K
-43 · 10-6 @3,39µm
-38,7 · 10-6 @3,39µm
Physical properties
FLIR ZnS
Multispectral ZnS
Density in g/cm3
4,08
4,09
Melting point in °C
1827
1827
Specific heat capacity in J/(kg · K)
469
515
Thermal conductivity in W/(m · K)
16,7 @296K
27,2 @298K
Thermal expansion in 1/K
6.6 · 10-6 @273K
6,5 · 10-6 @273K
Dielectric constant
88
Solubility in water in g/100g
insoluble
insoluble
Mohs hardness
3,5‐4
Knoop hardness in kg/mm²
160
160
Material type
polycrystalline, synthetic
polycrystalline, synthetic
Crystal type
cubic, zincblende structure
cubic, zincblende structure
Crystal structure
Fm3m
cF8
Lattice constant in Å
a = 5,42
a = 5,42
Elastic coefficient in GPa
C11 = 102

C12 = 64,6

C44 = 44,6

Young's Modulus (E) in Gpa
74,5
74,5
Apparent elastic limit in MPa
103,4
68,9
Poisson's ratio
0,29
0,28
Spectral properties
Optical Properties FLIR ZnS Multispectral ZnS
Transmission range in µm @10% min. 1 - 14 0.35 - 13
Transmission range in µm @50% min. 1 - 13 0.37 - 13
Refractive index 2.192 @10.6µm 2.20084 @10µm
Reflection losses in % at 1 surface 14 @10µm 14 @10µm
Reflection losses in % at 2 surfaces 24.6 @10.6µm 24.7 @10.6µm
dn/dT in 1/K 43 · 10-6 @3.39µm 38.7 · 10-6 @3.39µm
Physical Properties FLIR ZnS Multispectral ZnS
Density in g/cm³ 4.08 4.09
Melting point in °C 1827 1827
Specific heat capacity in J/(kg · K) 469 515
Thermal Conductivity in W/(m · K) 16.7 @296K 27.2 @298K
Thermal Expansion in 1/K 6.6 · 10-6 @273K 6.5 · 10-6 @273K
Dielectric constant 8.393 88
Solubility in water in g/100g unsoluble unsoluble
Mohs hardness 3.5 - 4
Knoop hardness in kg/mm² 160 160
Material type Polycrystalline, synthetic Polycrystalline, synthetic
Crystal type cubic, Zincblende structure
Crystal structure F43m F42m
Lattice constant in Å a = 5.67
Elastic coeficients in GPa C11 = 102
C12 = 64.6
C44 = 44.6
Young's Modulus (E) in GPa 87.6 33
Shear Modulus (G) in GPa 80.41
Bulk Modulus (K) in GPa 63.1
Rupture Modulus in MPa 68.9
Apparent elastic limit in MPa 103.4 68.9
Poisson ratio 0.29 0.28
Spectral Properties
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