Development of bulk heavy-metal fluoride glass optics

Charles F. Rapp

doi:10.1117/12.165240

6 December 1993 Development of bulk heavy-metal fluoride glass optics

Charles F. Rapp

Proceedings Volume 2018, Passive Materials for Optical Elements II; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.165240
Event: SPIE's 1993 International Symposium on Optics, Imaging, and Instrumentation, 1993, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Fluoride glasses based on ZrF₄ are being developed for various applications including ultralow loss fiber optics and mid-infrared optical components. Advantages of these glasses include a very high transparency from about 225 nm to about 6000 nm. Also, these glasses show a negative temperature coefficient for the change in refractive index so that the thermal optical distortion is very low. The objective of this program is to develop large infrared windows for use with high power mid-infrared lasers. Major problems in preparing these glasses include very low viscosities at the melting and casting temperatures, and high crystal growth rates. Glass preparation techniques have been developed which are suitable for melting and casting quantities of this glass up to 100 kg. Good quality castings have now been made up to 53 cm diameter X 4 cm thick weighing about 40 kg. Finished windows up to 51 cm X 3.8 cm have been made which show few inclusions and low distortion of transmitted light. Glass compositions and melting processes used for the preparation of these disks are described.

Citation Download Citation

Charles F. Rapp "Development of bulk heavy-metal fluoride glass optics", Proc. SPIE 2018, Passive Materials for Optical Elements II, (6 December 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.165240

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