Abstract: Embodiments of the technology described herein, provide improved visual search results by combining a visual similarity and a textual similarity between images. In an embodiment, the visual similarity is quantified as a visual similarity score and the textual similarity is quantified as a textual similarity score. The textual similarity is determined based on text, such as a title, associated with the image. The overall similarity of two images is quantified as a weighted combination of the textual similarity score and the visual similarity score. In an embodiment, the weighting between the textual similarity score and the visual similarity score is user configurable through a control on the search interface. In one embodiment, the aggregate similarity score is the sum of a weighted visual similarity score and a weighted textual similarity score.

Abstract: The present invention provides 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: Embodiments of the technology described herein, provide improved visual search results by combining a visual similarity and a textual similarity between images. In an embodiment, the visual similarity is quantified as a visual similarity score and the textual similarity is quantified as a textual similarity score. The textual similarity is determined based on text, such as a title, associated with the image. The overall similarity of two images is quantified as a weighted combination of the textual similarity score and the visual similarity score. In an embodiment, the weighting between the textual similarity score and the visual similarity score is user configurable through a control on the search interface. In one embodiment, the aggregate similarity score is the sum of a weighted visual similarity score and a weighted textual similarity score.

Abstract: The present invention provides 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: A high optical quality multicomponent chalcogenide glasses without refractive index perturbations due to striae, phase separation or crystal formation made using a sealed ampoule with chemical components enclosed inside, a two-zone furnace, a convection heating/mixing step, and multiple fining steps. Initially, the sealed ampoule is oriented vertically within the two-zone furnace and heated to melt the chemical components contained within, and a temperature gradient is created between the top zone and the bottom zone such that the bottom zone has a higher temperature. This temperature gradient causes convection currents within the viscous liquid until it is sufficiently mixed due to the convective flow. Then the temperature gradient is reversed such that the top zone now has a higher temperature and the convective flow ceases. The furnace temperatures are then reduced over a period of time, with holds at multiple temperatures for fining and cooling to form a solid glass.

Abstract: The present invention provides 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: A method for making high optical quality multicomponent chalcogenide glasses without refractive index perturbations due to striae, phase separation or crystal formation using a sealed ampoule with chemical components enclosed inside, a two-zone furnace, a convection heating/mixing step, and multiple fining steps. Initially, the sealed ampoule is oriented vertically within the two-zone furnace and heated to melt the chemical components contained within, and a temperature gradient is created between the top zone and the bottom zone such that the bottom zone has a higher temperature. This temperature gradient causes convection currents within the viscous liquid until it is sufficiently mixed due to the convective flow. Then the temperature gradient is reversed such that the top zone now has a higher temperature and the convective flow ceases. The furnace temperatures are then reduced over a period of time, with holds at multiple temperatures for fining and cooling to form a solid glass.

Abstract: A method for making high optical quality multicomponent chalcogenide glasses without refractive index perturbations due to striae, phase separation or crystal formation using a sealed ampoule with chemical components enclosed inside, a two-zone furnace, a convection heating/mixing step, and multiple fining steps. Initially, the sealed ampoule is oriented vertically within the two-zone furnace and heated to melt the chemical components contained within, and a temperature gradient is created between the top zone and the bottom zone such that the bottom zone has a higher temperature. This temperature gradient causes convection currents within the viscous liquid until it is sufficiently mixed due to the convective flow. Then the temperature gradient is reversed such that the top zone now has a higher temperature and the convective flow ceases. The furnace temperatures are then reduced over a period of time, with holds at multiple temperatures for fining and cooling to form a solid glass.

Abstract: The present invention provides 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: 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: A method for making a gradient index infrared transmitting optic by thermally treating a preform, where the preform comprises two or more infrared transmitting glasses having different compositions and optical properties, where there is an interface between adjacent glasses, where during the thermal treatment one or more chemical elements from the glasses diffuses through one or more interface resulting in a diffused gradient index optical element comprising a gradient in the chemical element concentration, and where the optical element has a gradient in refractive index and dispersion. Also disclosed is the related infrared transmitting optical element made by this method.

Abstract: Infrared transmitting glasses bonded into an optical element without interlayer voids by stacking at least two different infrared transmitting glasses inside a vessel where each glass has a different refractive index, a different dispersion, or both, and where the glasses all have similar viscosities, thermal expansion coefficients, and glass transition temperatures; placing a weight on top of the stack; applying a vacuum to the vessel; applying an isostatic pressure of at least 1500 psi; and after releasing the isostatic pressure, annealing at a temperature within 10° C. of the glass transition temperature at a pressure between 0 and 1000 psi. Applying the vacuum, applying the isostatic pressure, and annealing are done sequentially and with no intermediate transitions to ambient temperature or pressure.

Abstract: A method for bonding infrared transmitting glasses into an optical element without interlayer voids by stacking at least two different infrared transmitting glasses inside a vessel where each glass has a different refractive index, a different dispersion, or both, and where the glasses all have similar viscosities, thermal expansion coefficients, and glass transition temperatures; placing a weight on top of the stack; applying a vacuum to the vessel; applying an isostatic pressure of at least 1500 psi; and after releasing the isostatic pressure, annealing at a temperature within 10° C. of the glass transition temperature at a pressure between 0 and 1000 psi. Applying the vacuum, applying the isostatic pressure, and annealing are done sequentially and with no intermediate transitions to ambient temperature or pressure. Also disclosed is the related optical element made by this method.

Abstract: A striae-free chalcogenide glass with uniform refractive index.

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 making a gradient index infrared transmitting optic by thermally treating a preform, where the preform comprises two or more infrared transmitting glasses having different compositions and optical properties, where there is an interface between adjacent glasses, where during the thermal treatment one or more chemical elements from the glasses diffuses through one or more interface resulting in a diffused gradient index optical element comprising a gradient in the chemical element concentration, and where the optical element has a gradient in refractive index and dispersion. Also disclosed is the related infrared transmitting optical element made by this method.

Abstract: A method for bonding infrared transmitting glasses into an optical element without interlayer voids by stacking at least two different infrared transmitting glasses inside a vessel where each glass has a different refractive index, a different dispersion, or both, and where the glasses all have similar viscosities, thermal expansion coefficients, and glass transition temperatures; placing a weight on top of the stack; applying a vacuum to the vessel; applying an isostatic pressure of at least 1500 psi; and after releasing the isostatic pressure, annealing at a temperature within 10° C. of the glass transition temperature at a pressure between 0 and 1000 psi. Applying the vacuum, applying the isostatic pressure, and annealing are done sequentially and with no intermediate transitions to ambient temperature or pressure. Also disclosed is the related optical element made by this method.

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