Effect of temperature on the molding of chalcogenide glass lenses for infrared imaging applications

Abstract

We examine the effect of temperature on the molding of chalcogenide glass for infrared (IR) lens fabrication and evaluate a molded chalcogenide glass lens. Both the adhesion of the chalcogenide glass to the mold's surface and lens breakage depended on the initial heating temperature and on the molding temperatures in the glass molding process. In addition, the molded chalcogenide glass lens was evaluated based on transcription characteristics of the mold's surface, IR transmittance, and x-ray diffraction patterns. From the analysis results, we verified that the chalcogenide glass lens for IR imaging application could be fabricated by well-controlled temperature conditions.

Thermal properties of ternary Ge–Sb–Se chalcogenide glass for use in molded lens applications

“…In this regard, inorganic glasses that are readily moldable are certainly competitive against their counterparts such as singlecrystalline Ge and chemical-vapor-deposited polycrystalline ZnSe. Since sulfur-based glasses are less transparent at mid-IR wavelengths around~10 μm and tellurium-based ones are thermally less stable, selenium-based chalcogenide glasses are thus considered as the material of choice for optical-grade lenses possessing relatively low refractive index dispersion and working at the mid-IR wavelength region [1,2].…”

Chalcogenide glass with good thermal stability for the application of molded infrared lens

“…In case of amorphous materials for infrared optical lenses, chalcogenide glass materials, which are composed of mainly S, Se, Ge, Sb and Te, have been attracted since these materials have a unique optical transmittance from ~1 to16 μm [1]. Special chalcogenide glasses [2] are feasible to fabricate IR lenses with aspherical optical geometries using GMP methods [3][4][5]. Some of commercial chalcogenide glasses cannot always satisfy the requirement for GMP process in making aspherical optical lenses.…”

Performance Evaluation of a Bench-Top Precision Glass Molding Machine

“…The present paper discusses results on only one glass type with a designated set of inserts, to illustrate tool function and performance, therefore, eliminating cross contamination of multiple glass types and enabling a further mold material/glass family interaction study. It should be noted that the modifications and associated changes employed have allowed the modified DTI tool to be used for studies conducted on both visible (oxide) optical glasses and infrared transparent (nonoxide, chalcogenide) glasses [5][6][7].…”