High-Index Flint Glass Cross-Reference

Overview

High-index flint glass is often considered when optical designers need strong bending power, compact lens geometry, or chromatic correction options. These materials usually combine higher refractive index with lower Abbe number, which can help reduce element size but also increases dispersion management requirements.

This guide uses clean rows from the optical glass cross-reference source where refractive index nd is approximately 1.70 or higher and Abbe number vd is approximately 35 or lower. The list is for engineering review only.

Why High-Index Flint Glass Matters

High refractive index can support shorter focal length, thinner optical groups, and stronger correction in compact assemblies. Low Abbe number also means stronger dispersion, so these glass candidates should be reviewed carefully against the full optical design rather than selected from a table alone.

If the application is infrared rather than visible optical glass, compare the requirement with ZnSe lens options, ZnSe prism options, and the broader IR optical materials library.

High-Index Flint Cross-Reference Candidates

CDGM	Schott	Ohara	Hoya	nd	vd
H-ZF88	-	-	FDS18	1.94595843	17.943914
H-ZF72A	-	S-NPH2	-	1.92286714	18.895456
H-ZF71	-	S-NPH1W	FD225	1.80810763	22.690566
H-ZF52	SF57HTULTRA	S-TIH53W	FDS90	1.84666598	23.787324
H-ZLAF90	-	-	TAFD40	2.00068948	25.435062
H-ZF7LA	SF6	S-TIH6	FD60	1.80518932	25.47729
H-ZF13	SF11	S-TIH11	FD110	1.78472134	25.719658
H-ZF12	N-SF14	S-TIH14	FD140	1.76182349	26.613203
H-ZF6	SF4	S-TIH4	FD4	1.75520518	27.547441
H-ZF50	-	S-TIH13	FD13	1.74077287	27.761693
H-ZF5	-	S-TIH3	-	1.74000549	28.291496
H-ZF4A	SF10	S-TIH10	FD10	1.72825449	28.310916
H-ZLAF92	-	S-LAH79	-	2.00330733	28.31737
H-ZF3	SF1	S-TIH1	FD1	1.71736082	29.509994
H-ZLAF75B	N-LASF46B	S-LAH95	TAFD25	1.90366311	31.419748
H-ZLAF71	N-LASF9HT	S-LAH71	-	1.85026018	32.307713

Engineering Notes

High-index flint glass can be useful, but it is sensitive to design context. Confirm color correction strategy, working wavelength, thermal conditions, surface quality, coating requirement, blank size, and manufacturing tolerance before using a cross-reference candidate in production.

For IR systems, do not assume that visible optical glass behavior translates into infrared performance. Review whether the part should use a dedicated IR material, such as ZnSe, germanium, silicon, ZnS, or CaF2, before final sourcing.

Request a High-Index Glass Review

For an engineering review, send the target glass code, design wavelength, drawing, diameter or aperture, center thickness, tolerance, coating target, and quantity through the contact page. We can help compare the glass request with custom optical component options.