Long-wave infrared (LWIR) optics, operating in the 8–14 μm wavelength range, are indispensable for thermal imaging, surveillance, industrial automation, and defense systems. As demand for high-performance LWIR lenses grows, China has emerged as a global hub for advanced infrared optical solutions. This article explores the top ten Chinese manufacturers driving innovation in LWIR optics, highlighting their specialized products, technological expertise, and applications.
With over 55 years of experience, Shanghai Optics is a leader in designing and manufacturing LWIR lenses for medical, industrial, and military applications. Their expertise spans diamond-turned germanium and chalcogenide lenses, optimized for high transmission in the LWIR spectrum. The company offers custom LWIR zoom lens systems, enabling adjustable focal lengths for dynamic thermal imaging scenarios, such as border surveillance or firefighting drones. Shanghai Optics’ R&D team focuses on minimizing thermal drift—a critical factor in maintaining image stability across temperature fluctuations.
Nanjing Cngeir specializes in LWIR lenses for uncooled thermal cameras, a cost-effective alternative to cooled systems. Their lenses leverage germanium substrates with anti-reflective (AR) coatings to enhance transmission efficiency above 90%. Cngeir’s LWIR optics are widely used in automotive night vision and industrial predictive maintenance. The company also integrates dual LWIR sensor imaging solutions, combining two LWIR cameras to improve depth perception and reduce motion blur in autonomous vehicles. With a vertically integrated production facility, Cngeir ensures rapid prototyping for customized LWIR zoom lens configurations.
VY Optoelectronics focuses on LWIR lenses optimized for the 8–12 μm range, ideal for security and aerospace applications. Their product lineup includes compact fixed-focus lenses and motorized LWIR zoom lens assemblies, designed for drones and handheld thermal imagers. VY employs advanced diffractive optical elements (DOEs) to reduce weight while maintaining diffraction-limited performance. The company also supplies LWIR optics for scientific research, such as gas detection systems that identify methane leaks using LWIR absorption signatures.
Hitronics excels in OEM manufacturing of LWIR lenses, offering high-volume production for global clients. Their patented athermalization techniques ensure consistent focus across extreme temperatures (-40°C to +85°C), making their LWIR optics suitable for Arctic exploration equipment and desert surveillance systems. Hitronics also pioneers dual LWIR sensor imaging modules that fuse data from two LWIR cameras to enhance resolution and dynamic range, a technology adopted in smart city traffic monitoring.
Reynard Corporation stands out for its proprietary AR coatings tailored for LWIR lenses. Using plasma-assisted deposition, they achieve ultra-low reflectivity (<1%) on germanium and zinc selenide substrates. Reynard’s LWIR optics are critical in military applications, such as missile guidance systems and armored vehicle thermal sights. The company also develops cooled LWIR camera lenses paired with mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) detectors, enabling ultra-high sensitivity for astronomical imaging.
Wavelength-IR specializes in athermalized LWIR lenses that maintain focus without mechanical adjustments, even under rapid temperature changes. Their designs incorporate low-CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) materials like silicon carbide mounts, ensuring stability in outdoor environments. These LWIR optics are integral to wildfire detection systems and power line inspection drones. Wavelength-IR also offers LWIR zoom lens kits with 3x–10x magnification, tailored for long-range surveillance.
This B2B platform connects buyers with niche manufacturers of LWIR lenses, including emerging players in China’s optical sector. Vendors listed here provide cost-effective LWIR optics for consumer-grade thermal cameras, smart home sensors, and HVAC inspection tools. The platform highlights suppliers offering dual LWIR sensor imaging solutions, which combine LWIR and visible-light cameras for augmented reality (AR) thermal overlays in industrial maintenance.
Sunny Infrared delivers multi-spectral LWIR lenses compatible with SWIR (short-wave infrared) and MWIR (mid-wave infrared) systems. Their hybrid designs enable simultaneous imaging across spectra, useful in semiconductor defect detection. The company’s LWIR zoom lens systems feature motorized focus and iris control, programmable via USB interfaces. Sunny also supplies cooled LWIR camera lenses for scientific applications, such as monitoring volcanic activity or semiconductor wafer processing.
Quanhom dominates the high-end market with cooled LWIR camera lenses integrated with Stirling coolers, achieving noise-equivalent temperature differences (NETD) below 20 mK. These systems are vital for military reconnaissance and satellite imaging. Quanhom’s LWIR zoom lens assemblies offer continuous 10–300 mm focal length adjustments, paired with AI-driven autofocus algorithms. The company also develops dual LWIR sensor imaging payloads for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), enabling real-time thermal mapping in disaster response.
Changchun Factory, a state-owned enterprise, produces ruggedized LWIR lenses for harsh environments. Their products feature hermetic sealing and anti-fogging coatings, making them ideal for maritime and Arctic applications. The factory’s LWIR optics are used in China’s BeiDou satellite navigation system for thermal monitoring of orbital debris. Changchun also collaborates with research institutes on next-gen LWIR zoom lens designs using freeform surfaces to reduce size and weight.
The LWIR meaning—long-wave infrared—refers to thermal radiation emitted by objects at ambient temperatures, making it invaluable for passive imaging. Key advancements in this field include:
Material Innovation: Germanium remains the primary substrate for LWIR lenses, but chalcogenide glasses (e.g., Ge-As-Se) are gaining traction for reduced weight and cost.
Cooled vs. Uncooled Systems: Cooled LWIR cameras (using MCT or quantum well detectors) offer superior sensitivity but require cryogenic cooling, while uncooled microbolometers are cheaper and compact.
Dual LWIR Sensor Imaging: Deploying two LWIR sensors improves resolution and reduces motion artifacts, critical for autonomous vehicles and robotics.
Athermalization: Passive techniques (e.g., material pairing) and active mechanisms (e.g., motorized focus) address thermal drift in LWIR optics.
China’s LWIR lens manufacturers are reshaping the global infrared optics landscape through relentless innovation and vertical integration. From Nanjing Cngeir’s uncooled solutions to Quanhom’s cryogenic-ready systems, these companies address diverse needs across defense, industrial, and consumer sectors. As LWIR zoom lens technology evolves and dual LWIR sensor imaging becomes mainstream, Chinese firms are poised to lead the next wave of thermal imaging advancements, driven by AI integration, miniaturization, and multi-spectral capabilities. For industries seeking cutting-edge LWIR optics, partnering with these manufacturers ensures access to reliable, high-performance solutions tailored to tomorrow’s challenges.
Call us on: 
Email Us: 
No.9 Zhongxing East Road, Lishui Economic Development Zone, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China 
en 
