Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) Substrates

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Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) Wafers for Nonlinear Optical Research

Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) single crystals are widely used in nonlinear optics, photonics, and multiphoton absorption studies. Researchers investigating two-photon and three-photon absorption often require single-crystal ZnS substrates with specific orientations and thicknesses to optimize transmission and optical efficiency.

A PhD candidate requested single-crystal ZnS substrates with <111> orientation and 0.3 mm thickness for two-photon and three-photon absorption experiments. The researcher also requested ZnO crystals for comparison studies.

Zinc Sulfide wafers used for two-photon and three-photon absorption experiments

Reference #96178 for specs and pricing.

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ZnS Wafers for Optical Components

Zinc Sulfide substrates are commonly used in infrared optics, windows, lenses, spectroscopy, and multispectral imaging systems. Optical-grade ZnS offers excellent transmission and can be supplied with double-side polished surfaces.

An aeronautical engineer requested undoped optical-grade ZnS substrates for infrared applications.

UniversityWafer supplied:

  • Diameter: 38.1 ±0.1 mm
  • Thickness: 2 ±0.1 mm
  • Double-side polished
  • 60/40 scratch-dig finish
  • Optical-grade ZnS

Reference #100020 for pricing.


ZnS Substrates for CO₂ Laser Windows

ZnS and ZnSe wafers are frequently used as infrared windows in CO₂ laser systems. Their excellent transmission properties and durability make them ideal for educational and industrial laser projects.

An engineering student requested inexpensive ZnS and ZnSe blanks to fabricate a CO₂ laser system.

Reference #108479 for specs and pricing.


Semi-Insulating ZnS Wafers

Semi-insulating Zinc Sulfide substrates are useful for photonic devices, optical experiments, and detector research. Double-side polished ZnS crystals are available in multiple orientations and dimensions.

A postdoctoral researcher requested a small quantity of semi-insulating ZnS substrates.

UniversityWafer supplied:

  • Orientation: (110)
  • Size: 10 × 10 × 1 mm
  • Double-side polished (DSP)
  • Semi-insulating material

Reference #116681 for specs and pricing.


Custom Zinc Sulfide Substrates

UniversityWafer supplies ZnS substrates for optical research, nonlinear optics, infrared windows, laser systems, photonics, and semiconductor applications. Single-side polished (SSP), double-side polished (DSP), and diced ZnS pieces are available in custom sizes and orientations.

Zinc Sulfide Sphalerite Substrates

Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) substrates are used in infrared optics, UV detection, electroluminescent devices, thin-film coatings, CO₂ laser windows, and photonic research. ZnS can occur in the cubic sphalerite phase or the hexagonal wurtzite phase. Sphalerite ZnS is especially useful for optical and electronic applications because of its cubic crystal structure and strong optical transparency.

A postdoc requested sphalerite ZnS wafers and asked for available sizes, orientations, polishing options, and pricing.

Reference #103087 for specs and pricing.

What Are Sphalerite Wafers?

A sphalerite wafer is a wafer made from a cubic crystal structure material, commonly Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) or Zinc Selenide (ZnSe). This cubic structure is different from the hexagonal wurtzite phase and is useful for optical, infrared, photonic, and detector applications.

  • Material: ZnS or ZnSe cubic crystal structure
  • Applications: IR windows, UV detectors, optics, phosphors, and photonics
  • Surface finish: SSP, DSP, 60/40 polish, or inspection polish
  • Research use: nonlinear optics, transmission experiments, and thin-film coatings

What Are Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) Substrates Used For?

ZnS substrates are selected when researchers need a material with strong optical transmission, useful semiconductor properties, and compatibility with optical coating and laser applications.

  • Infrared windows: ZnS is used for IR lenses, windows, and optical blanks.
  • CO₂ laser optics: ZnS and ZnSe are used as laser window materials.
  • UV detectors: ZnS can be used in ultraviolet-sensitive detector research.
  • Electroluminescent devices: ZnS is a common host material for light-emitting phosphors.
  • Thin-film coatings: ZnS substrates support anti-reflective, dielectric, and protective coatings.
  • Photonic applications: ZnS is used in waveguides, optical devices, and transmission studies.

ZnS Substrates Transmissive in the Visible

Researchers often request multispectral or clear ZnS substrates when visible and infrared transmission are required. Important specifications include growth method, scratch-dig quality, surface polish, thickness, and whether the material is standard ZnS or multispectral ZnS.

  • Visible and infrared transmission
  • Multispectral ZnS options
  • Optical-grade polishing
  • Custom sizes and thicknesses
  • Scratch-dig requirements such as 60/40 polish

What's In Stock? Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) Crystals

UniversityWafer maintains inventory of Zinc Sulfide crystals and multispectral windows for infrared optics, spectroscopy, CO₂ laser windows, and photonic research. Available stock includes random orientation and (110) oriented ZnS crystals with polished, double-side polished, and optical window finishes.

What's In Stock? Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) Crystals

UniversityWafer stocks Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) crystals, multispectral windows, optical blanks, and polished substrates for infrared optics, spectroscopy, CO₂ laser windows, and photonic research.

What's In Stock? Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) Crystals

The table below shows ZnS crystals, multispectral windows, and optical blanks available in inventory. Each row lists the material, size, orientation or finish, and quantity available.

# Type Size Orientation / Finish Qty Available
1Random oriented6×4×2 mmAll sides 60/40 polished25 pcs
2Multispectral windowØ13×0.5 mm6 pcs
3Multispectral window4×4×20 mm4×20 mm sides 60/40 polished9 pcs
4(110)10×5×5 mm5×5 sides // (110), 60/40 polished; other sides fine grinded3 pcs
5Multispectral windowØ17×2 mmCenter hole Ø1 mm1 pc
6Multispectral windowØ17×2 mmCenter hole Ø1.5 mm1 pc
7Multispectral windowØ17×2 mmCenter hole Ø2 mm1 pc
8Multispectral windowØ8×5 mm6 pcs
9(110)Diam. 10×1 mm2 sp., clear aperture 8.5 mm1 pc
10Multispectral blankØ25.4×1 mm(110), inspection polished1 pc
11(110)Ø10×0.3 mmPolished 60/401 pc
14(110)10×10×0.5 mm1 side 60/40 polished, 1 side fine grinded4 pcs
15(110)5×5×1 mm2 sides 60/40 polished29 pcs
16(110)10×10×0.5 mm2 sides 60/40 polished21 pcs
17(110)Ø10×2 mm2 sides 60/40 polished1 pc
18Multispectral windowØ10×2 mm2 sides 60/40 polished2 pcs
19(110)10×10×2 mm2 sides 60/40 polished6 pcs
20(110)10×10×0.1 mm2 sides 60/40 polished2 pcs
21(110)Diam. 25.4×2 mm2 sp., clear aperture 23 mm1 pc
22Multispectral windowDiam. 17×2 mm2 sp.2 pcs
23(110)5×5×1 mm1 side grinded, 1 side cleaved surface6 pcs
24(110)10×10×0.5 mm2 sp., 99.995% purity11 pcs
25(110)6×4×2 mmAll sides polished; (111) plane at 45° to 6 mm side4 pcs
26(110)20×10×1 mm2 sp.1 pc
27(110)10×10×0.25 mm2 sp.3 pcs
28(110)5×5×0.5 mm2 sp.19 pcs
29(110)5×5×0.25 mm2 sp.2 pcs

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