Abstract: The present invention provides a method for synthesizing high optical quality multicomponent chalcogenide glasses without refractive index perturbations due to striae, phase separation or crystal formation using a two-zone furnace and multiple fining steps. The top and bottom zones are initially heated to the same temperature, and then a temperature gradient is created between the top zone and the bottom zone. The fining and cooling phase is divided into multiple steps with multiple temperature holds.

Abstract: Optical elements having an intrinsic anti-reflective sub-wavelength structure (SWS) built into one or more surfaces thereof so that the structure becomes integral part of the surface of the lens. The SWS is in the form of a structure of identical or similar objects such as straight or graded cones, pillars, pyramids, or other shapes or depressions, where the dimensions of the objects and the distances between them are smaller than the wavelength of light with which they are designed to interact. The SWS can be a periodic or random, and can be the same across the entire surface or can vary across the surface so as to correspond with the index of refraction of the lens at that point.

Abstract: A compact multispectral imaging system comprising a set of optical elements capable of simultaneously focusing light from one or more spectral bands (SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR) to a common focal plane and a detector capable of capturing the multispectral image, wherein the optical elements comprise optics made from new optical materials or in combination with existing optical materials that transmit in multispectral wavelength regions.

Abstract: Optical elements having an intrinsic anti-reflective sub-wavelength structure (SWS) built into one or more surfaces thereof so that the structure becomes integral part of the surface of the lens. The SWS is in the form of a structure of identical or similar objects such as straight or graded cones, pillars, pyramids, or other shapes or depressions, where the dimensions of the objects and the distances between them are smaller than the wavelength of light with which they are designed to interact. The SWS can be a periodic or random, and can be the same across the entire surface or can vary across the surface so as to correspond with the index of refraction of the lens at that point.

Abstract: A method to synthesize striae-free chalcogenide glass using melt processing. A striae-free chalcogenide glass with uniform refractive index.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing Cu(InxGa1-x)S2 and Cu(InxGa1-x)Se2 nanopowders using flame spray pyrolysis to form solar cell absorber materials. The flame spray product is the oxide nanoparticles of the absorber materials (copper indium gallium oxide). The oxide nanoparticles may be deposited directly onto glass substrates. The oxide nanoparticles are then sulfurdized or selenized with a post deposition anneal directly on the substrate to form the absorber layer for a solar cell device.

Abstract: This disclosure involves a new spinel and glass micro-composite material and process for making such. The composite has excellent transmission in the 0.5-5.0 ?m wavelength region suitable for various visible and mid IR applications utilizing windows, domes and other geometric shapes. The composite can be made at a temperature about 40% lower than the glass melting temperature and about 50% lower than the spinel sintering temperature. The composite material has high modulus and fracture toughness which are important for impact resistance in armor and other practical applications.

Abstract: A composite made of alternating layers of elastic and plastic material provides desirable mechanical properties including high toughness. Each layer has a thickness of between 10 nanometers and 500 microns. Plastic materials that may be used include thermoplastic/thermoset elastomers, aluminum, alloys of aluminum, titanium, and alloys of titanium. Elastic materials include various thermoplastic or thermoset polymers, Al2O3, SiC, TiB2 and B4C.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing Cu(InxGa1-x)S2 and Cu(InxGa1-x)Se2 nanopowders using flame spray pyrolysis to form solar cell absorber materials. The flame spray product is the oxide nanoparticles of the absorber materials (copper indium gallium oxide). The oxide nanoparticles may be deposited directly onto glass substrates. The oxide nanoparticles are then sulfurdized or selenized with a post deposition anneal directly on the substrate to form the absorber layer for a solar cell device.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method of making chalcogenide glasses including holding the melt in a vertical furnace to promote homogenization and mixing; slow cooling the melt at less than 10° C. per minute; and sequentially quenching the melt from the top down in a controlled manner. Additionally, the present invention provides for the materials produced by such method. The present invention is also directed to a process for removing oxygen and hydrogen impurities from chalcogenide glass components using dynamic distillation.

Abstract: This disclosure involves a new spinel and glass micro-composite material and process for making such. The composite has excellent transmission in the 0.5-5.0 ?m wavelength region suitable for various visible and mid IR applications utilizing windows, domes and other geometric shapes. The composite can be made at a temperature about 40% lower than the glass melting temperature and about 50% lower than the spinel sintering temperature. The composite material has high modulus and fracture toughness which are important for impact resistance in armor and other practical applications.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method of making chalcogenide glasses including holding the melt in a vertical furnace to promote homogenization and mixing; slow cooling the melt at less than 10° C. per minute; and sequentially quenching the melt from the top down in a controlled manner. Additionally, the present invention provides for the materials produced by such method. The present invention is also directed to a process for removing oxygen and hydrogen impurities from chalcogenide glass components using dynamic distillation.

Abstract: A spinel ceramic made from the process comprising the steps of polishing one edge of a first spinel part to a surface roughness of less than 1 nm, polishing one edge of a second spinel part to a surface roughness of less than 1 nm, joining the polished edge of the first spinel part to the polished edge of the second spinel part, heating the first and second spinel parts to about 1000-1200° C., and maintaining said heating for about 3-6 hours resulting in bonded spinel parts.

Abstract: A laser apparatus uses a dysprosium doped chalcogenide glass fiber. The glass fiber has a laser pump operatively connected to it. The chalcogenide glass fiber is located in a laser cavity including one or more reflective elements such as a Bragg grating, a Bragg minor, a grating, and a non-doped fiber end face. The apparatus provides laser light output at a wavelength of about 4.3 ?m to about 5.0 ?m at a useful power level using laser light input at a wavelength of from about 1.7 ?m to about 1.8 ?m. Also disclosed is a method for providing laser light output at a wavelength of about 4.3 ?m to about 5.0 ?m using the apparatus of the invention.

Abstract: This disclosure involves a new spinel and glass micro-composite material and process for making such. The composite has excellent transmission in the 0.5-5.0 ?m wavelength region suitable for various visible and mid IR applications utilizing windows, domes and other geometric shapes. The composite can be made at a temperature about 40% lower than the glass melting temperature and about 50% lower than the spinel sintering temperature. The composite material has high modulus and fracture toughness which are important for impact resistance in armor and other practical applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making transparent ceramic spinel windows, domes and other complex shapes via edge bonding.

Abstract: Method of Making particles including a YAG core and a coating of sintering aid deposited thereon. The particles and agglomerates thereof maybe formed as a powder. The coated YAG-containing particles are well-suited to production of polycrystalline YAG-containing ceramics. The coated YAG-containing particles may be fabricated using a novel fabrication method which avoids the need for formation of a homogeneous powder mixture of YAG and sintering aid. The mixture may be sprayed into a drying column and dried to produce coated particles. Alternatively, the YAG particles and sintering aid or sintering aid precursor solution may be separately introduced to the drying column and dried to form coated YAG-containing particles.

Abstract: A method for making a smooth ceramic including loading ceramic powder to be densified into a hot press die, placing one or more spacers with a polished surface between a hot press punch and the ceramic powder, placing the die and punch into a hot press and hot pressing the ceramic powder, and removing a smooth ceramic shape that requires no subsequent polishing or processing and has a surface roughness of 5 nm RMS or better. The smooth ceramic shape may be transparent, and it may be spinel, magnesia, yttria, lutetia, scandia, YAG, any composites thereof, or any of their rare earth doped compounds. Also disclosed is the related smooth ceramic made by this process.

Abstract: A laser apparatus uses a dysprosium doped chalcogenide glass fiber. The glass fiber has a laser pump operatively connected to it. The chalcogenide glass fiber is located in a laser cavity including one or more reflective elements such as a Bragg grating, a Bragg minor, a grating, and a non-doped fiber end face. The apparatus provides laser light output at a wavelength of about 4.3 ?m to about 5.0 ?m at a useful power level using laser light input at a wavelength of from about 1.7 ?m to about 1.8 ?m. Also disclosed is a method for providing laser light output at a wavelength of about 4.3 ?m to about 5.0 ?m using the apparatus of the invention.

Abstract: This disclosure involves a new spinel and glass micro-composite material and process for making such. The composite has excellent transmission in the 0.5-5.0 ?m wavelength region suitable for various visible and mid IR applications utilizing windows, domes and other geometric shapes. The composite can be made at a temperature about 40% lower than the glass melting temperature and about 50% lower than the spinel sintering temperature. The composite material has high modulus and fracture toughness which are important for impact resistance in armor and other practical applications.