Segmentation by type classifies infrared metalenses into dielectric, plasmonic, and hybrid architectures, each with sub‑categories defined by material platform. Dielectric metalenses, typically silicon or germanium‑based, dominate due to low absorption and high damage thresholds, supporting high‑efficiency imaging across 3‑14 µm wavelengths. Plasmonic metalenses employ noble‑metal nano‑structures (e.g., gold, silver) to achieve extreme phase control but incur higher losses, positioning them in niche high‑resolution spectroscopy applications. Hybrid metalenses combine dielectric backbones with plasmonic resonators to balance efficiency and bandwidth, targeting emerging quantum‑sensor and LiDAR markets. Within these families, further differentiation arises from fabrication method—electron‑beam lithography, nano‑imprint, or deep‑UV patterning—affecting scalability and cost. The distribution of these types aligns with application demand: dielectric lenses underpin the bulk of thermal imaging and communication modules, while plasmonic and hybrid variants capture specialized sensing and defense niches, collectively shaping the market taxonomy.