Infrared Transmitting Glass Composition for Sensor Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chalcogenide glasses used in infrared sensors have poor infrared transmittance at wavelengths of 10 μm or more, leading to inadequate sensitivity for detecting infrared rays emitted by living bodies.
Innovation Solution
A chalcogenide glass composition with specific mole percentages of Ge, Ga, Si, Te, and additional elements like Ag, Al, Ti, Cu, In, Sn, Bi, Cr, Sb, Zn, Mn, and F, Cl, Br, I, optimized to provide excellent infrared transmittance and thermal stability, with an infrared absorption edge wavelength of 20 μm or more, is developed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If chalcogenide glass is used as an optical element material, then workability and ease of manufacturing complicated shapes are improved, but infrared transmittance at wavelengths of 10 μm or more deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the chemical composition ratios of multiple elements in the glass. The glass contains 30-70 wt% GeO2, 5-40 wt% Ga2O3, 5-30 wt% SiO2, and specific amounts of TeO2, B2O3, and other oxides. By adjusting these compositional parameters within defined ranges, the patent achieves both good workability and high infrared transmittance at 10 μm and above, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and infrared transmittance reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite glass material combining multiple oxide components with complementary properties. GeO2 provides the glass network structure and infrared transmission, Ga2O3 enhances thermal stability and workability, SiO2 improves chemical durability, and TeO2 extends the infrared transmission range. This composite approach allows the material to simultaneously achieve good processability and high infrared transmittance across the 8-14 μm atmospheric window
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional glass composition is used, then manufacturing process is simple, but infrared absorption edge wavelength is less than 20 μm, resulting in poor sensitivity for living body detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters by incorporating specific ratios of GeO2 (30-70 wt%), Ga2O3 (5-40 wt%), and SiO2 (5-30 wt%), along with TeO2 (5-30 wt%) and other oxides. This compositional parameter optimization shifts the infrared absorption edge wavelength to 20 μm or more while maintaining a feasible manufacturing process, thereby improving infrared detection sensitivity for living bodies without excessively complicating production
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The glass exhibits enhanced infrared transmittance across 8 to 18 μm wavelengths, improving the sensitivity and suitability of infrared sensors for detecting living bodies, while being free of toxic substances like Cd, Tl, and Pb to minimize environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
the glass described in Patent Literature 1 has an infrared transmittance significantly decreasing at a wavelength of 10 μm or more
Implementation Method 2
infrared absorption edge wavelength of 20 μm or more when having a thickness of 2 mm
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a glass having an excellent infrared transmittance and suitable for use in infrared sensors. An infrared transmitting glass containing, in terms of % by mole, over 0 to 50% Ge, over 0 to 50% Ga, over 0 to 50% Si, 20 to 90% Te, 0 to 40% Ag+Al+Ti+Cu+In+Sn+Bi+Cr+Sb+Zn+Mn, and 0 to 40% F+Cl+Br+I.