Optical Glass Composition Reducing Ta2O5 for High Refraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to develop a high-refraction low-dispersion optical glass with a refractive index of 1.86-1.92 and Abbe number of 36-42 while reducing the costly Ta2O5 content, while maintaining excellent transmittance and glass stability.
Innovation Solution
The optical glass composition includes B2O3, SiO2, La2O3, Gd2O3, Y2O3, Nb2O5, TiO2, and ZrO2, with optimized proportions to achieve the desired refractive index and Abbe number, reducing Ta2O5 content and incorporating other rare earth oxides like La2O3, Gd2O3, and Y2O3, and controlling the ratios of these components to enhance glass stability and transmittance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If Ta2O5 content is reduced to lower cost, then manufacturing cost decreases, but transmittance may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by reducing Ta2O5 content from typical high levels (15-30%) to 0-10%, while simultaneously adjusting other oxide components (La2O3: 20-40%, Gd2O3: 10-30%, Nb2O5: 5-20%, TiO2: 2-10%, ZrO2: 2-15%) to maintain the refractive index (1.86-1.92) and Abbe number (36-42) within target ranges, thereby preserving transmittance properties while reducing cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite glass material system combining multiple rare earth oxides (La2O3, Gd2O3, Y2O3, Yb2O3) with metal oxides (Nb2O5, TiO2, ZrO2, Ta2O5) and base glass formers (B2O3, SiO2) in specific proportions. This composite approach allows the material to achieve high refractive index and low dispersion properties through synergistic effects of different components, reducing dependence on expensive Ta2O5 while maintaining optical performance including transmittance
2Ease of manufacture
If Ta2O5 content is reduced to lower cost, then manufacturing cost decreases, but refractive index and dispersion control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically adjusts multiple composition parameters simultaneously: La2O3 (20-40%), Gd2O3 (10-30%), Nb2O5 (5-20%), TiO2 (2-10%), and ZrO2 (2-15%) are optimized to compensate for reduced Ta2O5. This multi-parameter optimization ensures the refractive index remains within 1.86-1.92 and Abbe number within 36-42, achieving precise optical property control without relying on high Ta2O5 content
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite rare earth oxide system (La2O3, Gd2O3, Y2O3, Yb2O3) combined with metal oxides (Nb2O5, TiO2, ZrO2, Ta2O5) where each component contributes specific optical properties. La2O3 and Gd2O3 provide high refractive index, while Nb2O5, TiO2, and ZrO2 contribute to low dispersion. This composite structure enables precise control of optical parameters through compositional tuning, reducing manufacturing precision difficulties associated with Ta2O5 reduction
3Illumination intensity
If rare earth oxide content is increased to achieve high refractive index, then refractive index increases, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the total rare earth oxide content (La2O3 + Gd2O3 + Y2O3 + Yb2O3) to 35-70% of the glass composition, with La2O3 specifically set at 20-40%. This parameter range achieves the target refractive index of 1.86-1.92 while controlling costs by avoiding excessive rare earth oxide addition. The balanced composition ensures high refractive index without unnecessary cost increase from over-concentration of expensive rare earth materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite rare earth oxide system where La2O3 (20-40%), Gd2O3 (10-30%), Y2O3 (5-25%), and Yb2O3 (0-10%) work synergistically to achieve high refractive index. By distributing the refractive index enhancement across multiple rare earth oxides rather than relying on a single component, the patent optimizes cost-performance ratio. This composite approach allows achieving target refractive index (1.86-1.92) with controlled manufacturing cost through balanced material selection
Data Source
AI summary
A high refraction low dispersion optical glass having a refractive index of 1.86-1.92 and an Abbe number of 36-42. The components of the optical glass comprise, by weight percentage: B2O3: 1-30%; SiO2: 0-20%; La2O3: 25-55%; Gd2O3: 5-40%; Y2O3: 0-25%; Yb2O3: 0-10%; Ta2O5: 0-10%; Nb2O5: 1-30%; TiO2: 0-10%; ZrO2: 0.5-20%; WO3: 0-10%; ZnO: 0-15%; Al2O3: 0-10%; GeO2: 0-10%; Bi2O3: 0-10%. The optical glass does not contain PbO or F. A high refraction low dispersion optical glass having excellent light transmittance may be obtained by introducing suitable amounts of rare earth oxides having a high refraction low dispersion effect and optimizing the proportions of said components.