Optical composites between similar and between dissimilar materials

An optical composite comprising first and second components formed of dissimilar materials in optical contact at an interface wherein:

• the first and second components were optically contacted using heat treatment over a temperature range;
• an inert optical coating was applied to at least one of the first and second components prior to optical contacting;
• and
• the temperature range of heat treatment is below the onset of chemical reactions at the interface;
• and
• stresses developed between the dissimilar materials are relaxed by relative movement of the components parallel to the interface resulting in a stress-free or low-stress condition.

An optical composite comprising:

• a first component having a first surface;
• and
• a second component having a second surface complementary to the first surface;
• wherein,
• the first and second components are in optical contact along an interface defined by the first and second surfaces;
• and
• the first component has been pretreated to increase its porosity on the first surface wherein the pretreatment provides a submicron-scale porosity with surface roughness greater than or equal to 50 Å rms.

An optical composite comprising:

• a first component having a first surface;
• and
• a second component having a second surface complementary to the first surface;
• wherein,
• the first and second components are in optical contact along an interface defined by the first and second surfaces;
• at least one component has been pretreated to form a pattern of channels on at least a portion of that component's respective surface to assist in venting trapped gas during a time when the first and second components are being brought into optical contact.

An optical composite comprising:

• a first component having a first surface;
• and
• a second component having a second surface complementary to the first surface;
• and
• an inert optical coating deposited on at least a portion of at least one component's respective surface;
• wherein,
• the optical coating becomes interposed between the first and second surfaces when the first and second components are brought into optical contact and subjected to heat treatment;
• the optical coating impedes chemical reactions between the components during heat treatment so as to allow the relative movement of the components parallel to the interface during temperature changes and to increase the upper limit of heat treatment temperatures where the composite remains essentially stress-free.