Infrared transmission chalcogenide glasses

Abstract

A glass composition and a method for producing the glass composition having an improved infrared transmission are provided. The composition includes indium and or cadmium; germanium; phosphorus, arsenic, and/or antimony; silver; lead; and sulfur, selenium, and/or tellurium. The method is performed by melting a mixture for a time period of between about 5 to about 48 hours and mixing the mixture at a temperature range that is between about 600-1000° C.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A chalcogenide glass composition, the composition consisting essentially of, in percent by weight of the total weight of the composition:
 gallium;   indium in an amount from about 2% to about 20%;   germanium; and   at least one chalcogen selected from the group consisting of: sulfur, selenium, and tellurium, wherein the at least one chalcogen is in an amount from about 30% to about 80%.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the chalcogen is sulfur. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of germanium is from about 10% to about 30%. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one chalcogen is in an amount from about 50% to about 80%. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is prepared by mixing in a temperature range from about 850° C. to 1000° C. 
     
     
         6 . A chalcogenide glass composition, the composition consisting essentially of, in percent by weight of the total weight of the composition:
 indium;   germanium in an amount from about 10% to about 30%;   at least one alkali selected from the group consisting of: potassium, rubidium, or cesium;   at least one chalcogen selected from the group consisting of: sulfur, selenium, and tellurium; and   at least one halide selected from the group consisting of: chlorine, bromine, and iodine.   
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one halide is in an amount from about 7% to about 25%. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one halide is bromine. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the chalcogen is sulfur. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the amount of indium is from about 2% to about 20%. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the at east one chalcogen is in an amount from about 30% to about 80%. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the composition is prepared by mixing in a temperature range from about 850° C. to 1000° C. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the at east one alkali is in an amount from about 5% to about 20%. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the at east one alkali is cesium. 
     
     
         15 . A chalcogenide glass composition, the composition consisting essentially of, in percent by weight of the total weight of the composition:
 indium;   germanium;   at least one element selected from the group consisting of: phosphorus, arsenic, and antimony, wherein the at least one element is in an amount from about 2% to about 40%; and   at least one chalcogen selected from the group consisting of: sulfur, selenium, and tellurium, wherein the at least one chalcogen is in an amount from about 30% to about 80%.   
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein the composition is prepared by mixing in a temperature range from about 850° C. to 1000° C. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein the amount of germanium is from about 10% to about 30%. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein the amount of indium is about 2% to about 20%. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one chalcogen is in an amount from about 50% to about 80%. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein the chalcogen is selenium.