Norcon Technologies

Currently, infrared optics are too expensive and fragile to be used outside of applications such as defense and high-end analytical instruments.  Applications for infrared optics could be much wider if the optical materials were not brittle glasses that are exceedingly cumbersome to mold and that preclude batch processing.  The difficulty in molding compromises focusing ability as complex lens shapes are generally not possible.  It also limits mounting features, resulting in long alignment touch times and low assembly yields.   In contrast, optical polymers for the visible spectrum are low cost, easily molded, and scalable.  Molded polymer lenses produce sharp images and have mounting features that streamline optical assembly.  These advantages result in sales that dwarf infrared optics, as polymer lenses for eyeglasses and smartphone cameras are a $175 billion industry.