Mold-Formable Chalcogenide Glass for Visible-to-Far-Infrared Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infrared-transmitting glass materials are limited to transmitting wavelengths in the visible to infrared regions, failing to meet the demand for smaller, more versatile sensors that require wider wavelength transmission and are difficult to produce in complex shapes due to crystalline nature.
Innovation Solution
A chalcogenide glass composition with specific molar ratios of S, Ge, Ga, Ba, and optionally Cl, Br, and I, allowing transmission from visible to far-infrared light, suitable for mold forming and producing complex optical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crystal materials like germanium and zinc selenide are used for infrared-transmitting optical elements, then infrared transmission performance is achieved, but mass production of complex-shaped elements becomes extremely difficult and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material state from crystalline to amorphous glass, and specifically optimizes the chemical composition parameters (Ge: 15-30%, Ga: 5-20%, S: 50-70%, plus halogens and alkaline earth metals) to achieve both infrared transmission and mold formability. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by enabling the material to be formed into complex shapes through molding while maintaining optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite chalcogenide glass system combining multiple elements (Ge, Ga, S, halogens, alkaline earth metals) in specific proportions. This composite material approach achieves superior infrared transmission across atmospheric windows (3-5 μm and 8-12 μm) while enabling mold forming for mass production of complex optical elements.
2Productivity
If chalcogenide glass is used to improve productivity through mold forming, then mass production becomes feasible, but transmission range is limited to specific infrared regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the glass composition parameters, specifically incorporating Ge (15-30%), Ga (5-20%), S (50-70%), halogens (3-30%), and alkaline earth metals (0.5-20%). This parameter optimization extends the transmission range from limited infrared regions to cover visible light (420-780 nm) through atmospheric infrared windows (3-5 μm and 8-12 μm), achieving broadspectral coverage while maintaining mold formability for mass 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 material enables wide wavelength transmission from 420 nm to 12 μm, facilitating the production of compact sensors with complex shapes like spherical and aspheric lenses, enhancing sensitivity by 20% compared to conventional glasses.
Implementation Method 1
a glass material allowing rays having a wavelength in the region from visible light to far-infrared light to pass through
Data Source
AI summary
The main object or purpose of the present invention is to provide a glass material that is suitable for mold forming, can reduce the size, and allows rays having a wavelength region between visible light to far-infrared light to pass through. To overcome this object, the present invention provides a glass material allowing rays having a wavelength in the region from visible light to far-infrared light to pass through,the glass material comprising, in terms of molar concentration:50 to 70% of S,15 to 30% of Ge,5 to 20% of Ga,0.5 to 15% of Ba, and3 to 15% of at least one member selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, and I, with the proviso that when the Cl is present alone, the molar concentration is 6 to 15%.