Optical technologies in the midwave and long wave infrared spectrum (MWIR, LWIR) are important systems for high resolution thermal imaging in near, or complete darkness. While IR thermal imaging has been extensively utilized in the defense sector, application of this technology is being driven toward emerging consumer markets and transportation. In this viewpoint, we review the field of IR thermal imaging and discuss the emerging use of synthetic organic and hybrid polymers as novel IR transmissive materials for this application. In particular, we review the critical role of elemental sulfur as a novel feedstock to prepare high refractive index polymers via inverse vulcanization and discuss the fundamental chemical insights required to impart improved IR transparency into these polymeric materials.

中文翻译：

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高分子科学观点 100 周年：用于红外热成像和光学的元素硫的高折射率聚合物

中波和长波红外光谱（MWIR、LWIR）中的光学技术是在近处或完全黑暗中进行高分辨率热成像的重要系统。虽然红外热成像已在国防领域得到广泛应用，但这项技术的应用正被推向新兴消费市场和运输业。在这个观点上，我们回顾了红外热成像领域，并讨论了合成有机和杂化聚合物作为该应用的新型红外透射材料的新兴用途。特别是，我们回顾了元素硫作为一种新型原料通过反向硫化制备高折射率聚合物的关键作用，并讨论了为这些聚合物材料提供改进的红外透明度所需的基本化学见解。