Optical Glass Composition for Visible Blocking and NIR Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing black glasses have high visible light transmittance, limited chemical and mechanical resistance, and are not suitable for use in applications requiring high NIR transmittance and environmental durability, particularly in LiDAR systems.
Innovation Solution
A glass composition with specific proportions of SiO2, Al2O3, B2O3, Li2O, Na2O, K2O, MnO2, and Cr2O3, optimized to achieve low visible light transmittance and high NIR transmittance, while ensuring high chemical and mechanical stability, without toxic components like NiO and Cr(VI).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If common black glass is used to achieve low visible light transmittance, then the glass appears black, but the transmittance remains high enough to allow visual inspection of structures behind the glass and the glass exhibits toxic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the glass by specifying precise proportions of SiO2 (50-80 wt%), Al2O3 (0-10 wt%), B2O3 (0-15 wt%), and toxic component limits (Cr(VI) < 0.01 wt%, NiO < 0.01 wt%). This parameter optimization achieves both low visible light transmittance and high chemical resistance by selecting specific glass-forming oxides and limiting harmful substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite glass material combining multiple oxides (SiO2, Al2O3, B2O3, Li2O, Na2O, K2O, MnO2, Cr2O3) in specific proportions to achieve the desired optical and chemical properties. This composite approach allows the glass to simultaneously block visible light while maintaining chemical stability and mechanical strength.
2Illumination intensity
If common black glass is used to achieve low visible light transmittance, then the glass appears black, but the glass lacks sufficient mechanical and chemical resistance for durable use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the glass composition parameters by controlling the content of network formers (SiO2, B2O3), network modifiers (Li2O, Na2O, K2O), and stabilizing oxides (Al2O3, MnO2, Cr2O3) to achieve the right balance between optical properties and mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a composite glass system combining silicate, borate, and aluminate networks with specific metal oxide additives to enhance both optical performance (low visible transmittance) and mechanical properties (hardness, strength, chemical durability).
3Illumination intensity
If polymeric materials like polycarbonate or PMMA are used for LiDAR optical windows, then the glass provides good transmittance properties, but the materials have inferior scratch resistance, mechanical resistance and chemical resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces polymeric optical window materials with glass material that inherently provides superior mechanical and chemical resistance. The glass composition is specifically designed to block visible light while transmitting NIR wavelengths, eliminating the need for coatings or treatments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the optical transmission parameters of the glass by adjusting the composition to achieve high NIR transmittance (>80% at 1550 nm) while maintaining low visible light transmittance. The specific oxide ratios control the glass's optical bandgap and absorption characteristics.
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 composition provides a broad absorption spectrum, excellent chemical and mechanical resistance, and color neutrality, making it suitable for optical components in LiDAR systems and other applications requiring environmental durability.
Implementation Method 1
the glass composition provides a broad absorption spectrum
Implementation Method 2
high transmittance in the near-infrared (NIR) range
Data Source
AI summary
A glass includes: a plurality of components (in wt.-%) as follows:ComponentProportion (% by weight)SiO250-80 Al2O30-10B2O30-15Li2O0-20Na2O0-20K2O0-25BaO0-10CaO0-10MgO0-10ZnO0-10La2O30-20TiO20-5 Cl0-3 MnO20.2-5.0 Cr2O30.05-3.0, a sum of a plurality of proportions of Li2O, Na2O and K2O being in a range of from 5.0 to 30.0 wt.-%, a sum of a plurality of amounts of MnO2 and Cr2O3 being at least 0.3 wt.-%, and a ratio of a plurality of proportions of MnO2 (in wt.-%) and Cr2O3 (in wt.-%) being in a range of from 1.5:1 to 12.5:1.