Treatment method for optically transmissive bodies

Abstract

A method of treating zinc sulfide transmissive bodies includes using the same metal layer to treat multiple transmissive bodies, catalyzing the recrystallization of the bodies to remove defects from the bodies and forming multispectral zinc sulfide. The metal layer is brought into contact with one of the transmissive bodies. The transmissive body and the metal layer are then subjected to elevated temperature and pressure. The metal layer may include any of a variety of suitable metals, such as platinum, cobalt, silver, nickel, and/or copper. The metal layer may be a foil that is wrapped around the transmissive body. Alternatively the metal layer may be a rigid metal piece, for example being machined to fit the shape of the transmissive bodies. The reuse of the metal layer to treat multiple transmissive bodies reduces the cost of treating the transmissive bodies.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.