Passive optoceramics with cubic crystal structure, process for manufacturing the same and their uses
AssigneeSchott AG
InventorsYvonne Menke, Ulrich Peuchert, Akio Ikesue
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The optoceramics are transparent to visible light and/or infrared radiation. The optoceramics each consist of a crystal matrix, i.e. of polycrystalline material, wherein at least 95% by weight, preferably at least 98% by weight, of the single crystallites have a cubic pyrochlore or a fluorite structure. Refractive, transmissive or diffractive optical elements made with the optoceramics, their uses and an optical imaging system comprising at least one of the optical elements are also disclosed. Methods of manufacturing the optoceramics are described.
Claims18
A polycrystalline, transparent optoceramic, in which at least 95% by weight of individual crystals have a cubic pyrochlore or a fluorite structure, comprising a compound of stoichiometry
- A2+xByDzE7,
- wherein −1.15≦x≦0;
- 0≦y≦3;
- 0≦z≦1.6 and 3x+4y+5z=8;
- and
- wherein A is at least one trivalent rare earth metal cation, B is at least one tetravalent cation, D is at least one pentavalent cation and E is at least one divalent anion.
A refractive, transmissive or diffractive optical element, comprising an essentially single phase optoceramic,
- in which at least 95% by weight of individual crystals have a cubic pyrochlore or a fluorite structure, comprising a compound of stoichiometry
- A2+xByDzE7,
- wherein −1.15≦x≦0;
- 0≦y≦3;
- 0≦z≦1.6 and 3x+4y+5z=8;
- and
- wherein A is at least one trivalent rare earth metal cation, B is at least one tetravalent cation, D is at least one pentavalent cation and E is at least one divalent anion.
An optical imaging system composed of at least two different transparent materials, wherein said system comprises at least one lens and said at least one lens is an optical element comprising an essentially single phase optoceramic,
- in which at least 95% by weight of individual crystals have a cubic pyrochlore or a fluorite structure, comprising a compound of stoichiometry
- A2+xByDzE7,
- wherein −1.15≦x≦0;
- 0≦y≦3;
- 0≦z≦1.6 and 3x+4y+5z=8;
- and
- wherein A is at least one trivalent rare earth metal cation, B is at least one tetravalent cation, D is at least one pentavalent cation and E is at least one divalent anion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.