Zinc selenide is used to form II-VI light-emitting diodes and diode lasers. It emits blue light. It is doped with chromium (ZnSe:Cr) has been used as an infrared laser gain medium. It is used as scintillator with emission peak at 640 nm. It is used in x-ray and gamma ray detectors. It is used as an infrared optical material.

This Thermo Scientific Chemicals brand product was originally part of the Alfa Aesar product portfolio. Some documentation and label information may refer to the legacy brand. The original Alfa Aesar product / item code or SKU reference has not changed as a part of the brand transition to Thermo Scientific Chemicals.