Chalcogenide glass for low viscosity extrusion and injection molding

A precision optical element comprising a chalcogenide glass body with either fine or hyperfine microstructures, said body being comprised of a chalcogenide glass of general formula YZ;

• where Y is Ge, As, Sb or a mixture of two or more of the same;
• and Z is S, Se, Te, or a mixture of two or more of the same;
• and
• wherein Y is in the range of 15-70% and Z is in the range of 30-85%;
• and provided that when Ge is mixed with one or both of As and Sb, the amount of Ge is in the range of 0<Ge<25%.

A method of making a chalcogenide glass precision optical element injection molding, said method comprising the steps:

• providing, in the form particles having a size in the range of 0.1 to 10 mm, a chalcogenide glass of general formula YZ;
• where Y is Ge, As, Sb or a mixture of two or more of the same;
• Z is S, Se, Te, or a mixture of two or more of the same;
• and Y and Z are present in amount (in atomic or element percent) in the range of Y=15-70% and Z=30-85%.
• charging the particles to an injection molding machine operating at a temperature sufficient for the particles to coalesce into a glass material having a viscosity of less than 10,000 poise at a temperature of less than 500° C.;
• molding the material into a precision optical element;
• and
• removing the precision optical element from the molding machine.

A method for making a chalcogenide glass optical element, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing equipment used in conventional plastics forming techniques, including injection molding, extrusion, embossing, thermoforming, blow-molding, and rotational molding, and other plastic forming equipment known in the art;
• providing a chalcogenide glass of general formula YZ;
• where Y is Ge, As, Sb or a mixture of two or more of the same;
• Z is S, Se, Te, or a mixture of two or more of the same;
• and Y and Z are present in an amount (in atomic or element percent) in the range of Y=15-70% and Z=30-85%;
• charging the particles to said selected equipment at a temperature sufficient for the chalcogenide glass to be a fluid having a a viscosity of less than 10,000 poise at a temperature of less than 500° C.;
• forming the provided chalcogenide glass into an optical element;
• and
• removing the optical element from said equipment.