optical components that maintain transparency (remain clear) in high energy environments, including in applications of high-intensity gamma-ray radiation dosage of 1.29×109 rads and greater, and neutron energy at neutron fluxes ranging from 3×109 to 1×1014 n/cm2 sec and greater, and fluencies ranging from 2×1016 to 8.3×1020 n/cm2 and greater. Further, the optical components have a bulk laser damage threshold of 105+/−20 J/cm2, a surface laser damage threshold of 72+/−15 J/cm2, a Stokes shift of about 9%, and a fractional thermal loading of about 11%.
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4. An optical component, consisting of:
a metaphosphate ba(PO3)2, 5 to 60 mol %;
a metaphosphate ai(PO3)3, 5 to 60 mol %; and
fluorides;
where the fluorides include both BaF2and RF3, 10 to 90 mol %;
where R is selected from a group consisting of one of Y and La;
with dopant selected from one of Yb2O3 and YbF3, 0.2 to 20 wt % over 100.
1. An optical component, consisting of:
a metaphosphate ba(PO3)2, 5 to 60 mol %;
a metaphosphate al(PO3)3, 5 to 60 mol %; and
fluorides;
where the fluorides includes both BaF2and RF3, 20 to 90 mol %;
where R is selected from a group consisting of one of Y and La;
with dopant selected from one of Yb2O3 and YbF3, 0.5 to 10 wt % over 100.
2. An optical component, consisting of:
a metaphosphate ba(PO3)2, 20 to 50 mol %;
a metaphosphate al(PO3)3, 10 to 60 mol %; and
fluorides;
where the fluorides include both BaF2and RF3, 20 to 70 mol %;
where R is selected from a group consisting of one of Y and La;
with dopant selected from one of Yb2O3 and YbF3, 0.5 to 15 wt % over 100.
3. An optical component, consisting of:
a metaphosphate ba(PO3)2, 10 to 60 mol %;
a metaphosphate ai(PO3)3, 10 to 60 mol %; and
fluorides;
where the fluorides include both BaF2and RF3, 10 to 80 mol %;
where R is selected from a group consisting of one of Y and La;
with dopant selected from one of Yb2O3 and YbF3, 0.5 to 10 wt % over 100.
5. optical components, consisting of:
a metaphosphate ba(PO3)2 in mol %,
a metaphosphate al(PO3)3 in mol %, and
fluorides;
where the fluorides include both BaF2and RF3in mol %,
with dopant selected from one of Yb2O3 and YbF3, contained in an amount over 100 percent (wt %);
where:
R is selected from the group consisting of Y, La;
with the optical components maintaining transparency in high energy environments:
including application of high-intensity gamma-ray radiation dosage of 1.29×109 rads and more; and
application of neutron energy at neutron fluxes ranging from 3×109 to 1×1014 n/cm2 sec and more, and fluencies ranging from 2×1016 to 8.3×1020 n/cm2 and greater; and
with a bulk laser damage threshold of 105+/−20 J/cm2, and a surface laser damage threshold of about 72 J/cm2.
6. The optical component as set forth in
the optical component is one of a solid state laser host and solid state amplifier host, with dopant selected from one of Yb2O3 and YbF3 0.5 to 5 wt % over 100.
7. The optical component as set forth in
the optical component is a thin disc laser host, with dopant selected from one of Yb2O3 and YbF3 1 to 20 wt % over 100.
8. The optical component as set forth in
the optical component is one of a fiber laser host and fiber amplifier host with dopant selected from one of Yb2O3 and YbF3 0.5 to 3 wt % over 100.
9. The optical component as set forth in
the optical component is one of a window, mirror, and thin film covering for a solar panel, with dopant selected from one of Yb2O3 and YbF3 1 to 10 wt % over 100.
10. The optical component as set forth in
the optical components is one of a lens, with dopant selected from one of Yb2O3 and YbF3 0.5 to 5.5 wt % over 100.
11. The optical component as set forth in
a Stokes shift of the optical component is about 9%, and a fractional thermal loading of about 11%.
12. The optical component as set forth in
the Yb dopant simultaneously functions to act as a desolarizer in high energy environments to maintain the optical components transparent and functions to act as laser dopant, when stimulated.
13. The optical component as set forth in
the optical components are polished to a Roughnessp-v of 118 Åto 132 Å.
14. The optical component as set forth in
a draw temperature TD of the optical components to form an optical fiber is substantially different from that of a crystallization temperature TC, with the draw temperature equaling to about 690° C.
15. The optical component as set forth in
the optical component is a lens with an Abbe number of approximately 64 to 68 remains constant regardless of an increase in linear refractive index, with non-linear refractive index remaining low at about n2=1.42×10−13 esu.
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This Application claims the benefit of priority of the co-pending U.S. Utility Provisional Patent Application No. 61/198,012, filed 31 Oct. 2008, the co-pending U.S. Utility Provisional Patent Application No. 61/180,880, filed 24 May 2009, the co-pending U.S. Utility Provisional Patent Application No. 61/185,190, filed 8 Jun. 2009, and the co-pending U.S. Utility Provisional Patent Application No. 61/218,971, filed 21 Jun. 2009, the entire disclosures of all Applications are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to fluorophosphate based optical components with improved optical characteristics for use in high energy environments.
2. Description of Related Art
Some of the known conventional optical components have some levels of radiation resistance, but that level of resistance is not sufficient for their use in high energy environments.
Examples of optical components with different levels of radiation resistant characteristics can be seen in bismuth metaphosphate based glass systems that solarize after being exposed to a few hundred kilo rads of gamma radiation. Other examples include the SiO2 base optical components, which are well-known as poor performers under high energy environments in that they darken under very low levels of gamma radiation, making them very impractical for uses in high energy environments. Other optical components comprised of phosphate based glasses of varying compositions contain alkaline elements, which are also known to actually reduce and lower the overall radiation resistance of the final product, thus rendering them very impractical for use in any high energy environments. Other optical components used include the germanium dioxide based network structures, which are not suitable for radiation resistance due to the presence of GeO2.
With respect to the optical characteristics of the above optical components and, in particular in relation to their surface laser damage threshold, most have a very low surface laser damage threshold as indicated in the following table:
Surface Laser Damage Threshold
Optical Component
Surface Laser damage threshold
Schott glass Products
~30
J/cm2
phosphate glasses LG750
Corning glass products silica
~38 +/− 2
J/cm2
glasses 7940
Corning glass products borosilicate
~32
J/cm2
glass 0211
Bismuth containing fluorophosphate
~29
J/cm2
glass
Therefore, the above optical components cannot be used in high laser energy environments, which requires thresholds that are 60 J/cm2 or higher.
Accordingly, in light of the current state of the art and the drawbacks to current optical components, a need exists for an optical component that would have a high-energy resistance and superior active and passive optical characteristics.
The present invention provides optical components that maintain transparency (remain clear) in high energy environments, including in high-intensity gamma-ray radiation dosage of 1.29×109 rads and greater, and high neutron energy at neutron fluxes ranging from 3×109 to 1×1014 n/cm2 sec and greater, and fluencies ranging from 2×1016 to 8.3×1020 n/cm2 and greater. Further, the optical components have a bulk laser damage threshold of 105+/−20 J/cm2, a surface laser damage threshold of 72+/−15 J/cm2, a Stokes shift of about 9%, and a fractional thermal loading of approximately 11%.
One exemplary aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, comprising:
Another exemplary aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, comprising:
An optical component, comprising:
A further exemplary aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, comprising:
Another exemplary aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, comprising:
Still another exemplary aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, comprising:
One exemplary optional aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, wherein:
Another exemplary optional aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, wherein:
A further exemplary optional aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, wherein:
Still a further exemplary optional aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, wherein:
Another exemplary optional aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, wherein:
the optical components is one of a lens, with dopant selected from one of Yb2O3 and YbF3 0.5 to 5.5 wt % over 100.
A further exemplary optional aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, wherein:
Still a further exemplary optional aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, wherein:
Another exemplary aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, comprising:
Another exemplary optional aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, wherein:
Still another exemplary optional aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, wherein:
A further exemplary optional aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, wherein:
Still a further exemplary optional aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, wherein:
Another exemplary optional aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, wherein:
Still another exemplary optional aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, wherein:
Another exemplary optional aspect of the present invention provides an optical component, wherein:
Such stated advantages of the invention are only examples and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments, taken together with the drawings and the claims that follow.
It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purposes of exemplary illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. Throughout the disclosure, the word “exemplary” is used exclusively to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
Referring to the drawings in which like reference character(s) present corresponding part(s) throughout:
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and or utilized.
For the sake of convenience and clarity, this disclosure uses the phrase “energy” in terms of both wave and particle energies. Further, this disclosure defines high energy wave (i.e., high Electromagnetic Radiation or EMR) as those in the gamma ray frequencies (greater than 1019 Hz or higher). In addition, this disclosure defines high particle energy in terms of average neutron fluxes of at least 3×109 n/cm2 sec, and average neutron fluences of at least 2×1016 n/cm2. Accordingly, this invention defines the collective phrases “high energy,” “high radiation,” “high radiation energy,” “high energy environment” and so on as energy defined by the above high wave energy and high particle energy parameters.
In addition, throughout the disclosure, the words “solarize” and its derivatives such as “solarization,” “solarized,” and so on define the darkening, browning, and/or burning up of materials due to exposure to various amounts of radiation. The words “desolarize” and its derivatives such as “desolarization,” “desolarized,” and so on define the ability of a material to continuously resist (or reverse) the solarization process while exposed to high energy.
The optical components of the present invention may be used as a host of a system, with “host” defined as a medium (passive or active) within the system that serves to perform one or more function. One non-limiting example of an optical component of the present invention used as a host may include a laser glass (active), which is the medium that serves as laser material (or laser host material) that functions to emit laser energy when excited.
The optical components of the present invention have applications in numerous fields, and may be used in high energy environments that may also require high laser damage threshold and further, may also be used to produce radiation resistant shielding material. Non-limited, non-exhaustive list of examples of applications of the optical components of the present invention may include optical windows, substrate for optical minors, solar panel covers, space solar panel covers, lenses, fiber, and etc. Other non-limited, non-exhaustive list of examples of applications of the optical components of the present invention used as hosts may include fiber amplifier host, solid state amplifier host, fiber lasers host, solid state laser hosts (e.g., thin disc laser (active mirror)), etc.
In particular, this invention provides an optical component based on fluorophosphate glass systems with Ytterbium dopant, but without using Alkali or Alkali-fluorides, lead or lead-fluoride, or bismuth metaphosphate. The optical components of the present invention are 100% lead free, which makes them environmentally friendly. In addition, the lead free optical components of the present invention further provide a very high leaching resistance, confining any potential radiation residue within the optical component. That is, after exposure to radiation energy, the optical component of the present invention maintain and confines most radiation residue within (prevents leaching), even if placed into other solutions such as water or exposed to other moisture content (e.g., acidic or base). Non-limiting examples of fluorophosphate based glass systems (but without lead or lead-fluoride), which may be used in the optical components of the present invention are disclosed in the U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0040421 to Margaryan, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
In particular, the optical components of the present invention may include the following fluorophosphate glass systems {Ba(PO3)2, Al(PO3)3, BaF2+RFx}+{dopant}, where RFx is selected from the group MgF2, CaF2, BiF3, or related fluorides (but not Alkali-fluorides or lead-fluoride), and the dopant may include, at minimum, Yb2O3 or YbF3. Optionally, co-dopants such as MnO or MnF2 may also be included. The glass system Ba(PO3)2—Al(PO3)3— BaF2+RFx+dopant use dopant from the group of oxides or fluorides of the rare earth elements over 100 percent (wt %) of the composition above Yb and mixtures thereof.
An exemplary, preferred material for the present invention are optical components that are based on or contain Ba(PO3)2, 10 to 60 mol %; Al(PO3)3, 10 to 60 mol %; BaF2+RFx, 20 to 90 mol % (where RFx is selected from the group MgF2, CaF2, BiF3); and one of a dopant of Yb2O3 of 0.5 to 20 weight % or fluoride YbF3 of 0.5 to 20 weight %. The raw compounds used for glass formation are: Barium Metaphosphate, Ba(PO3)2, and Aluminum Metaphosphate, Al(PO3)3, which are considered chemically stable (durable) substances, resistant against dissolving in water or other moisture content (e.g., acidic or base).
Another non-limiting example of fluorophosphate based glass system that may be used in the optical components of the present invention may include fluorophosphate glass systems with Ytterbium dopant containing Ba(PO3)2, Al(PO3)3, BaF2 and RFx, where RFx is selected from the group MgF2, CaF2, BiF3, YF3, LaF3, or related fluorides (but not Alkali-fluorides or lead-fluoride) and, one of Yb2O3 and YbF3. That is, glass system Al(PO3)3—Ba(PO3)2—BaF2+RFx+dopant use dopant from the group of oxides or fluorides of the rare earth elements over 100 percent (wt %) of the composition above Yb and mixtures thereof. The introduction of Yttrium Fluoride YF3 and Lanthanum Fluoride LaF3 improved the overall performance and efficiency of these glasses. The preferred material for the optical components using the YF3 may contain Ba(PO3)2, 10 to 60 mol %; Al(PO3)3, 10 to 60 mol %; BaF2+RFx, 20 to 90 mol %; and one of a dopant of Yb2O3 of 0.5 to 20 weight % or fluoride YbF3 of 0.5 to 20 weight %.
The YF3 dramatically increased the glass forming domain allowing the introduction of up to 60 mol % of YF3, and improved the optical properties such as higher Emission Cross Section from 0.87 to 1.37 pm2 at lasing wavelength of approximately 996 nm, extremely high Gain Coefficient G=0.95 to 1.65 ms*pm4 and Quantum Efficiency of about 90-94%. These improvements further enhanced the performance of the overall radiation resistant by improving the optical characteristics of the radiation resistant optical components such as radiation resistant laser host material and fibers. The LaF3 Lanthanum Fluoride dramatically improves the Abbe Number (dispersion) to 64-68 and reduces the chromatic aberration by about 20-30%. Stable Abbe Number and low chromatic aberration is extremely important for the radiation resistant lenses. The above improved characteristics due to the introduction of LaF3 further enhances the accuracy and the precision of the radiation resistance lenses and allows the creation of smaller and flatter lenses. The reduction of the sizes of the lenses increases their overall application in different industries, including optical based electronics systems. The presence of BaF2+RFx(YF3, LaF3, CaF2, MgF2, and BiF3) effectively increases the chemical durability of the laser material. In the grouping of glasses according to chemical stability of non-silicate glasses relating to humidity or moisture, the optical components of the present invention are considered to be stable.
It should be noted that although references to optical components and in particular, glass systems used in the optical components throughout most (but not all) of the remainder of the disclosure may be directed to non-limiting examples of fluorophosphate based glass systems disclosed in the U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0040421 to Margaryan, these references are only meant as illustrative and for convenience of example and should not be limiting.
Radiation resistant characteristics of the optical components of the present invention provide high resistance against high levels of energy without change in the transparency (e.g., browning or darkening of the optical component—no solarization). The combination of unique molecular structure, such as large atomic radius, high electro-negativity of fluorine, and the reverse change of valency of Yb (III) dopant enables these optical components to achieve high solarization resistance. During the gamma ray or neutron fluxes (and fluencies) exposure, the Yb (III) dopant creates a continuing de-solarization process that enable the optical component of the present invention to remain transparent due to the Yb (III) having a remarkably high transformation of valency of approximately 90-95%. That is, when the Yb (III) is bombarded by the gamma, neutron or other high energy (radiation/particle), the transformation of the valency of Yb from Yb(III) to Yb(II) and vice versa constantly reoccurs, and allows the glass matrix to remain transparent, in accordance with the following:
Yb(III)+G+e<->Yb(II)-G-e
Yb(III)+e<->Yb(II)-e
Yb(III)<->Yb(II)
where G is energy of the Gamma ray, and e is the electron.
In order for Yb (III) to become ionized and to create the transformation process of Yb (III) to Yb (II) and vice versa, a 6.4 eV (electron volt) energy is required.
Wavelengths starting from 190 nm (e.g., far Ultraviolet—UV) up to high levels of X-Ray and Gamma ray are capable of producing the required 6.4 eV or higher for the Yb (III) dopant to achieve the reverse or continuing transformation, thereby, maintain the optical components of the present invention transparent in high energy environments. The Electron Volt Energy for each Wavelengths can be measured by utilizing the following formula:
Where E is energy, f is frequency, λ is the wavelength of a photon, h is Planck's Constant and is c is the speed of light.
Two different optical component samples of the present invention have been tested in high-energy environments (i.e., high levels of gamma radiation and neutron energy), with the result that the samples maintained their transparency.
It should be noted that both of the optical component samples of the present invention (
In addition, a second set of identical optical components (same as above optical component samples, including same size and dimensions as above) of the present invention underwent high energy neutron testing. Both optical components were transparent in the visible spectral region before exposure to any radiation. The tests for neutron radiation were conducted at neutron fluxes ranging from 3×109 to 1×1014 n/cm2 sec and fluencies ranging from 2×1016 to 8.3×1020 n/cm2 for both samples. When exposed to the above radiation for over 90 days, both of the optical component samples of the present invention maintained their transparency, with identical results as those illustrated in
In addition to providing high radiation resistance (wave or particle), the optical components of the present invention also have a high level of resistance against laser damage.
Current commercially available high power vitreous optical components are mainly based on Nd or Er dopants. On the other hand, the optical components of the present invention use Yb dopants, which produce more than 1 Kw of energy and have low heat dissipation when stimulated to generate a laser effect. For example, fractional thermal loading of about 11% is produced when the optical laser product of the present invention having Yb dopant is stimulated or pumped with 945 nm wave energy. Conventional optical components that are doped with Nd generate a large amount of thermal loading of about 32% when stimulated or pumped with only 808 nm wave energy. It should be noted that generated thermal load in high power lasers is a great concern in that the higher the generated thermal loading, the lower the laser energy output. As the thermal load increases, it reduces the laser output efficiency. In the above example, the output efficient of the high power optical component of the present invention with Yb dopant is at approximately 89%. Conventional optical components with Nd dopant have a mere 68% output efficiency with the remaining energy converted and dissipated as heat. In addition, Quantum Defects or Stokes shift are only 9% in Yb doped laser optical components of the present invention, where as they are about 24% in Nd doped laser optical components. That is, the actual wavelength output from the laser host of the present invention with Yb dopant is varied by only 9% from its supposed ideal wavelength output. This is significant in that, at high powers, the laser host of the present invention (with the Yb dopants) generate laser wavelengths that are close to being pure (or at worst, shift by a mere 9%) from their supposed ideal laser wavelength output.
During the excitation process (for laser applications) under high levels of energy, the Yb dopant in the optical components of the present invention can concurrently perform two functions. One function of the Yb is to act as a desolarizer by maintaining the optical component of the present invention transparent due to the constant desolarization process of Yb when used in high energy environments (mentioned above). The other function of the Yb within the optical component of the present invention is to act as laser dopant, when stimulated. That is, when used as a laser optical component, some of the Yb dopants within the optical component of the present invention are excited to generate output laser energy, when stimulated. It should be noted that both functions can occur simultaneously. That is, the optical component of the present invention when used as a laser product and placed in a high energy environment, when excited, the Yb dopant will function as a laser dopant and also, function as desolarizer. Accordingly, the optical components of the present invention are ideal for use in laser applications, high energy applications, or simultaneously, in both laser and high energy applications. For example, the use of optical components of the present invention as laser hosts are ideal for use in high energy laser devices that may be used for the generation of nuclear energy through the process of nuclear fusion or in applications that need to work in deep space (where exposure to different types of radiation is imminent).
Examples of effective compositions and properties of the optical components of the present invention are illustrated in Table I based on mol percent and weight percent.
TABLE I
Yb2O3
or
YbF3
Emission
Composition of Glass
Dopant
Cross-
Gain
(mol %)
(wt %)
Refractive
section
Coefficient
Quantum
BaF2 +
Over
Index
Density
pm2
(ms * pm4)
Efficiency
Ba(PO3)2
Al(PO3)3
RFx
100%
nD
g/cm3
@ 996 nm
G
%
40
48
12
1
1.5878
4.15
0.87
0.95
90
35
13
52
1
1.5886
4.20
0.95
1.55
92
28
10
62
1
1.5895
4.28
1.29
1.60
93
10
16
74
1
1.5914
4.32
1.37
1.65
94
Where RFx is one of MgF2, CaF2, BiF3, YF3, LaF3.
In the above example, Yb2O3 or YbF3 would be used as dopant.
The following procedures were used in testing for laser damage threshold (both bulk and surface) of the optical components of the present invention shown in
1—Started at a low fluence/irradiance and tested 10 sites at 1 shot/site. Based on the number of sites damaged, the percentage of damage at that fluence was calculated.
2—Next, the fluence/irradiance was increased and another 10 sites at single shot/site were performed.
3—This procedure was repeated until a fluence/irradiance damaged 10/10 sites.
4—Next, the plotted percentage damage was tested versus the Fluence/Irradiance. The data was fitted to a line and the intercepted with the x-axis of the threshold value. All values are detailed in the following table II.
The bulk laser damage threshold for the optical components of the present invention was found to be 105+/−20 J/cm2. The laser damage threshold tests showed that surface laser damage threshold for the optical components of the present invention was found to be 72+/−15 J/cm2. The laser source was: Nd:YAG, Beam Radius=9.5 micron (Hwe−1 M), Pulsewidth=1.7 ns (Hwe−1 M), Wavelength=1.064 micron. This newly discovered laser damage threshold data relating to the optical components of the present invention seems to be the highest among most known commercially available optical components currently in existence.
TABLE II
Beam Radius = 9.5 μm (HW1/eM)
Pulsewidth = 1.7 ns (HW1/eM)
Wavelength = 1.064 μm
Testing method: 10 sites at each fluence, 1 shot per site
% DMG = percentage (N/10 * 100) of sites damaged at given fluence
Avg Irradiance
Avg Fluence(J/cm2)
(GW/cm2)
% DMG
Bulk
100
33.1876
0
125
41.4845
10
145.1153
48.16031485
20
182.8112
60.67069616
50
225.0739
74.69668157
60
248.028
82.31458645
70
270.4212
89.7463645
40
295.6787
98.12871882
70
319.9747
106.1919986
30
371.7115
123.3621978
80
424.5899
140.911298
80
481.3942
159.763286
100
Surface
9.714412
3.22398243
0
21.25153
7.052877027
0
47.91108
15.9005484
0
72.02686
23.90400168
0
99.76801
33.11063192
30
115.3912
38.29559336
30
131.6353
43.68662377
60
148.6606
49.33690225
50
166.8075
55.35943438
40
186.5968
61.9270522
50
As stated above, the optical components of the present invention have applications in numerous fields that may be used in high energy environments that may also require high laser damage threshold. Non-limited, non-exhaustive examples of applications may include windows, substrate for optical mirrors, space solar panel covers, lenses, fiber, fiber amplifier hosts, fiber laser hosts, solid state amplifier hosts, solid state laser hosts (e.g., thin disc laser (active mirror)), etc. The amount or concentration of Yb2O3 or YbF3 dopants within the optical components of the present invention to provide radiation resistant products with superior optical characteristics may vary depending on the specific application of the optical component, including the optical component physical dimensions. For example, for active optical components of the present invention (e.g., laser hosts, etc.) there is a need to balance dopant-concentration quenching in relation to optimized optical emission and optical component radiation resistance characteristics of the optical component when Yb2O3 or YbF3 dopants are added. On the other hand, for non-active optical components of the present invention (e.g., an optical window), there is a need to balance dopant-concentration quenching in relation to optimized transparency and optical component radiation resistance characteristics when Yb2O3 or YbF3 dopants are added. Accordingly, the Table III below is an exemplary, non-exhaustive, non-limiting, listing of the amounts or concentration of Yb2O3 or YbF3 dopants needed for a set of exemplary products.
TABLE III
Yb2O3 (YbF3)(wt. %) Dopet Radiation
Resistant with High Laser
Damage Threshold Optical Components
Windows,
Thin
Mirrors,
Solid State
Disc
Fiber
Solar
Composition of the
Laser/Amplifier
Laser
Laser/Amplifier
Panel
Optical Component
host
host
host
Covers
Lens
Ba(PO3)2, 10 to 60 mol %;
0.5-5
1-10
0.5-3
1-6
1-5
Al(PO3)3, 10 to 60 mol %;
BaF2 + RFx, 20 to 90 mol %;
Ba(PO3)2, 20 to 50 mol %;
1-3
2-15
0.5-2.5
2-8
0.5-4.5
Al(PO3)3, 10 to 60 mol %;
BaF2 + RFx, 20 to 90 mol %;
Ba(PO3)2, 10 to 60 mol %;
0.5-2.5
3.5-6
1-1.5
1.5-10
1.5-5.5
Al(PO3)3, 10 to 60 mol %;
BaF2 + RFx, 10 to 75 mol %;
Ba(PO3)2, 5 to 60 mol %;
0.2-3
4-20
0.5-2
3-10
2-5
Al(PO3)3, 5 to 60 mol %;
BaF2 + RFx, 10 to 90 mol %;
Where RFx is one of MgF2, CaF2, BiF3, YF3, LaF3.
As mentioned above, the windows shown in
The optical component of the present invention in the form of a lens has an Abba Number that is remarkably constant. That is, the change of linear refractive index in Ytterbium doped optical components of the present invention used as lens has been found to increase with increasing dopant concentration due to the dense packing of dopant materials into host materials, while the Abbe Number for the optical lens of the present invention is found to be remarkably constant, i.e., approximately 64-68 for a wide dopant concentration. On the other hand, the non-linear refractive index remained low at n2=1.42×10−13 esu (electrostatic unit). The following table IV provides the optical characteristics of the lens of the present invention.
TABLE IV
Yb2O3
0 wt %
1 wt %
2 wt %
3 wt %
4 wt %
5 wt %
nF 486 nm
1.5933
1.5940
1.5950
1.5965
1.5984
1.6003
nD 589 nm
1.5872
1.5878
1.5888
1.5898
1.5919
1.5940
nC 656 nm
1.5847
1.5850
1.5860
1.5873
1.5894
1.5915
Abbe
68.28
65.31
65.42
64.10
65.76
67.50
Number
The manufacturing process of the optical components of the present invention can be maximized by using the non-limiting, exemplary pot melt process, where materials are manufactured in an inert atmosphere created by Ar or other inert gases. The melting of the main batch (comprised of Al(PO3)3— Ba(PO3)2—BaF2+RFx+dopant) is conducted in different types of crucibles, depending on the final optical component application and use. In general, the presence of Platinum (Pt) is considered to be a major contamination issue for processing of most optical components. The presence of Pt in optical components substantially lowers their radiation resistance levels. Accordingly, for high radiation energy applications the preferred, non-limiting example of a crucible used may include the use of vitreous carbon or graphite crucibles, rather than a Platinum based crucible. In general, the use of vitreous carbon or graphite crucibles control the overall allowable contamination of the main batch with respect to Pt, up to 500 ppb of Platinum (Pt). On the other hand, for application not requiring high levels of radiation resistance 95% Pt and 5% Au non-stick crucible, or, alternatively, 100% Pt crucible may be used. In these applications, the Pt contamination was found to be 5000 ppb, which is acceptable for optical components, including for those with some levels of radiation resistance.
To continue with the pot melt process, the main batch is melted at approximately 1100° C. to 1280° C. (e.g., preferably, 1260° C.) for 4 to 6 hours or more until a homogeneous melt is achieved. The homogeneity of the melt is enhanced by mixing the melt. Next, the glass of the present invention is poured into a mold for cooling and annealing. The cutting, shaping, and polishing of the optical components is then produced from the main bulk for desired applications.
The next process is to cut the optical components into desired configurations for required applications, which would require the polishing of the cut surfaces of the optical components. The optical components of the present invention can be polished in accordance with industry requirements. However, it should be noted that most conventional fluorophosphate based glass systems cannot be polished to levels in accordance with the present invention (indicated in the tables of
TABLE V
Present Invention Optical Components
Yb2O3 dopant
Thermo-mechanical
Knoop Hardness (kgf/mm2)
335.6 to 359.2
Thermal Expansion (micrometer/° C.)
0.02295 to 0.02309
Physical
Density (g/cc)
4.248 to 4.574
It should be noted that the act of polishing of the optical components of the present invention to levels detailed in
The results of (
As stated above, the optical components of the present invention have applications in numerous fields that may be used in high energy environments that may also require high laser damage threshold, one non-limited example of which is an optical fiber (active or passive). Generally, the conventional fluorophosphate based glasses have a tendency to become crystallized during what is known as the fiber drawing process to produce optical fibers. Accordingly, conventional fluorophosphate based glasses are generally not used to produce optical fiber components. The drawback with most conventional fluorophosphate based glasses is that the rate of change of their viscosity in relation to variations in temperature is usually high, wherein crystallization takes place. That is, small increments in increases in temperature greatly reduces their viscosity, within which crystallization occurs, which prevents the use of most conventional fluorophosphate based glasses for making optical fiber products. In other words, with most conventional fluorophosphate based glasses, their drawing (or pulling temperature) TD (when they become sufficiently viscous to be pulled into a fiber) is very close (i.e., similar) to their crystallization temperature Tc, so they crystallize. Other factors contributing to crystallization may include, for example, the use of alkali elements in the glass composition, which has the tendency to increase crystallization during the fiber draw process. However, the optical components of the present invention do not have alkali elements, and have pulling or drawing temperature TD that is substantially different from their crystallization temperature Tc. Accordingly, the optical components of the present invention are easily modified to manufacture and produce optical fibers with high radiation resistance and high laser damage thresholds, and were successfully pulled to a transparent fiber (
The manufacturing process for producing fiber (the “fiber draw”)(exemplarily shown in
The heat up schedule for the optical component of the present invention in the form of a rod shown in
As noted above, the “rod” glass of the present invention (shown in
As further noted above, the rod glass was held at 620° C. for about 10 minutes. However, no “drop” or “fall” in the rod glass was observed. That is, the rod glass did not become sufficiently malleable or soft where it could stretch and drop or fall onto a fiber draw reel (shown in
The following are the draw observations from the above fiber draw method. The initial drop obtained at 710° C. showed that the draw tension was too low, accordingly, the temperature was lowered to 690° C. The fluorophosphate rod of the present invention appeared to draw well at this temperature, with some slight surface crystallization noted on the initial drop, but was clear up as the draw was established. Over 1,200 feet of the optical fiber component sample of the present invention was collected (drawn or pulled) during this experiment from the fluorophosphates glass system of the present invention in the form of an exemplary rod shown in
Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or method acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the optical components of the present invention may be used in numerous other applications that have not been explicitly mentioned. In addition, it should be noted that none of the FIGS are to scale. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object.
In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) is not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead is used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.
In addition, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of,” “act of,” “operation of,” or “operational act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.
Margaryan, Alfred A., Margaryan, Ashot A.
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