High Refractive Index Glass Composition for Optical Fiber Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical glass fibers cannot be formed using conventional fiberizing techniques due to insufficient viscosity above their crystallization temperature, limiting the production of high refractive index glasses suitable for reinforcing high refractive index plastics.
Innovation Solution
A glass composition with specific weight percentages of SiO2, Al2O3, B2O3, K2O, La2O3, Li2O, Na2O, Nb2O5, TiO2, WO3, and Y2O3, along with RO (MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO), which provides a refractive index between 1.55 and 1.69, an Abbe number less than 65, and a coefficient of thermal expansion suitable for reinforcing high refractive index plastics, while maintaining sufficient viscosity for fiber formation using conventional techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional optical glass compositions are used to achieve high refractive index, then the refractive index is improved, but the viscosity above crystallization temperature becomes insufficient for fiber formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the glass batch by incorporating specific oxides (Y2O3, La2O3, Nb2O5, TiO2, WO3) in controlled amounts to simultaneously achieve high refractive index (1.55-1.69) and appropriate viscosity characteristics above liquidus temperature for conventional fiberizing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite glass system combining multiple oxide components (SiO2, Al2O3, B2O3, Y2O3, La2O3, Nb2O5, TiO2, WO3, and RO) where each component contributes specific properties to achieve the dual goal of high refractive index and manufacturable viscosity
2Illumination intensity
If high refractive index oxides are added to increase refractive index, then the optical properties are improved, but the coefficient of thermal expansion may become mismatched with reinforcement plastics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully adjusts the composition parameters including Y2O3 (15-35%), La2O3 (0-30%), and RO (0-7.5%) to achieve both the desired refractive index range (1.55-1.69) and coefficient of thermal expansion less than 66×10^-7/°C, ensuring compatibility with high refractive index plastics
Data Source
AI summary
A glass composition including SiO2 in an amount from 30.0 to 40.0% by weight, Al2O3 in an amount from 15.0 to 23.0% by weight, B2O3 in an amount from 0.0 to 15.0% by weight, K2O in an amount from 0.0 to 5.0% by weight, La2O3 in an amount from 0.0 to 30.0% by weight, Li2O in an amount from 0.0 to 3.0% by weight, Na2O in an amount from 0.0 to 4.0% by weight, Nb2O5 in an amount from 0.0 to 10.0% by weight, TiO2 in an amount from 0.0 to 7.5% by weight, WO3 in an amount from 0.0 to 10.0% by weight, Y2O3 in an amount from 15.0 to 35.0% by weight, and RO (one or more of MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO) in an amount from 0.0 to 7.5% by weight is provided. Glass fibers formed from the composition have a refractive index between 1.55 and 1.69.