A Fresnel phase plate lens of either the phase reversal plate or sinusoidal phase reversal plate type is formed in materials hitherto not available to be used to Fresnel phase plate lenses. The material for the desired Fresnel phase plate lens may be chosen for its optimum spectral transmission range. For example, for infrared spectral transmission, silicon and germanium are chosen for the materials to have the Fresnel phase plate lens formed therein. For the visible spectral transmission range various glasses such as crowns, flints, and borosilicates glasses of suitable optical quality are useful. High silica glasses and fused quartz (silicon dioxide) are useful as the lens material for ultraviolet spectral range.