MKS Announces Ophir® MWIR Folded Zoom Lens with Disruptive Low-SWaP and Long-range Capabilities for Drone and Small Gimbal Applications

Innovative folded optics zoom lens addresses market shift towards low-SWaP 15µm VGA FPA detectors with fittings for 5" (127mm) gimbals

Andover, MA – April 15, 2025 – MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI), a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, has announced the Ophir® FoldIR 25-275mm f/5.5 MWIR Continuous Zoom Lens at SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing 2025. This newest addition to the FoldIR family of lightweight, compact, continuous zoom lenses is designed specifically for drones, offering an innovative solution for smaller size 15µm pitch VGA FPA (focal plane array) detectors. Designed for the newly released low-SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) cooled VGA detectors, the FoldIR 25-275mm zoom lens is one of the most compact and lightweight options on the market today. This makes it ideal for the demanding requirements of the security and defense markets.

The new FoldIR 25-275mm f/5.5 MWIR continuous zoom lens features a folded optics design that significantly reduces the length of the lens and the overall size and weight of the optical system. The lens has dimensions of 107mm x 101.5mm x 96mm (including the IR detector) and a net weight of 302gr (360 gr including detector). It provides a long-range detection capability of over 14.5km and a sharp image across the entire field-of-view with continuous zoom capabilities.

“Infrared imaging applications continue to rapidly evolve, presenting increasing demands for reduced Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP),” said Dr. Kobi Lasri, General Manager of the Ophir Optics product line at MKS Instruments. “The FoldIR 25-275mm f/5.5 folded zoom lens delivers unparalleled functionality and standoff range relative to its SWaP attributes. With its disruptive combination of low-SWaP capabilities, detection range of over 14.5km, and cost-effective pricing, this new zoom lens is an enabler for small gimbal thermal imaging applications on drones and small UAVs.”

The folded optics design of the FoldIR 25-275mm f/5.5 lens not only enables long optical path within a compact form but also reduces sensitivity to tolerances using fewer optical elements. It maintains sharp focus over the entire zoom range and features a mechanical and electrical interface for easy integration into camera systems. This innovative design achieves near diffraction-limit performance in harsh environments, addressing challenges such as line-of-sight (LOS) stabilization, and athermalization.

Availability
The FoldIR 25-275mm f/5.5 zoom lens is available now. OEM prices are available on request.

Product page: https://www.ophiropt.com/en/f/foldir-25-275mm-f-5-5
Product video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di1W8r4QsUw
Product data sheet: https://www.ophiropt.com/mam/celum/680520.pdf

About MKS Instruments
MKS Instruments enables technologies that transform our world. We deliver foundational technology solutions to leading edge semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications. We apply our broad science and engineering capabilities to create instruments, subsystems, systems, process control solutions and specialty chemicals technology that improve process performance, optimize productivity and enable unique innovations for many of the world’s leading technology and industrial companies. Our solutions are critical to addressing the challenges of miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing by enabling increased power, speed, feature enhancement, and optimized connectivity. Our solutions are also critical to addressing ever-increasing performance requirements across a wide array of specialty industrial applications. Additional information can be found at www.mks.com.

About the Ophir Brand
Ophir is a brand within the MKS Photonics Solutions Division. The Ophir product portfolio consists of laser and LED measurement products, including laser power and energy meters, laser beam profilers measuring femto-watt to hundred-kilowatt lasers, high-performance IR and visible optical elements, IR thermal imaging lenses and zoom lenses for defense and commercial applications, OEM and replacement high-quality optics and sub-assemblies for CO2 and high-power fiber laser material processing applications. Ophir products enhance our customers’ capabilities and productivity in the semiconductor, advanced electronics and specialty industrial markets. For more information, visit www.ophiropt.com.

For more information, contact:
Vered Aizenshtat, Marcom Manager, Photonics Solution Division
Ophir Business Unit
Science-Based Industrial Park, Har Hotzvim
Jerusalem 9145001, Israel
Tel: +972-52-2550566
E-mail: vered.aizenshtat@mks.com
Web: www.ophiropt.com/infrared-optics

Shari Worthington, PR
Telesian Technology
49 Midgley Lane, Worcester, MA 01604
Tel: +1 508-397-6345
E-mail: sharilee@telesian.com