Long-wave infrared
Thermal Imaging
Silicon meta-optics for compact thermal systems.
Tunoptix co-designs long-wave infrared (LWIR) meta-optics, calibration and image processing for integration with selected thermal detectors. We develop the optical architecture around your product’s aperture, field of view, package and processing budget.
Compact thermal imaging concept
Illustrative silicon metalens and a LWIR image.
8–12 µm LWIR
Spectral Range
Silicon
Meta-optics
Compact
Optical Architecture
Uncooled
Detector Integration
Design the complete thermal imaging path.
Optical design
Balance aperture, field of view, focal length and optical thickness around the required scene detail. Fabrication tolerances and assembly constraints inform the design from the start.
Detector integration
Match the optical response to the selected detector’s sampling, package and interface. Evaluate the effects of the optical window, alignment and operating environment on image quality.
Calibration and processing
Characterize the optical system and evaluate image recovery against representative scenes. Assess contrast, spatial detail and processing requirements together.
Build around the thermal task.
Equipment and process inspection
Develop the optical path around working distance, surface conditions and the scene information needed for the inspection task.
Robotics and embedded sensing
Balance thermal scene detail, field of view and packaging with the detector interface and the host system’s power and processing constraints.
Airborne and remote platforms
Evaluate optical mass, aperture, environmental conditions and integration requirements against the platform’s imaging task.
Research that connects the optics to the image.
Broadband thermal imaging using meta-optics
Published research: 8-12 μm operating band; 1 cm aperture of the fabricated silicon optic. It demonstrates broadband thermal imaging with an all-silicon meta-optic and numerical image recovery. The work evaluates optical design and computation as a complete imaging system.
Huang et al., Nature Communications 15, 1662 (2024).
Broadband long-range thermal imaging via meta-correctors
A separate study combines four refractive lenses with two silicon meta-correctors for broadband LWIR imaging. It demonstrates a hybrid approach in which patterned optics correct an optical assembly.
Vo et al., Applied Optics 64(13), 3473-3479 (2025).
Define the thermal requirement.
Share your operating band, selected detector, scenes, environment and integration constraints. We will help scope the prototype work and measurements needed for your next development decision.