Processing, Properties And Applications Of Sol-Gel Silica Optics

Jean-Luc R. Nogues; Anthony J. LaPaglia

doi:10.1117/12.962971

22 December 1989 Processing, Properties And Applications Of Sol-Gel Silica Optics

Jean-Luc R. Nogues, Anthony J. LaPaglia

Proceedings Volume 1168, Current Developments in Optical Engineering and Commercial Optics; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.962971
Event: 33rd Annual Technical Symposium, 1989, San Diego, United States

Abstract

For many years the market share maintained by U.S. optics manufacturers has been declining continuously caused in part by intense competition principally from countries in the Far East, and in part by the lack of a highly trained cadre of opticians to replace the current generation. This fact could place in jeopardy the defense system of the United States in case of international war. For example, in 1987, optical glass component imports accounted for approximately 50 percent of the Department of Defense (DOD) consumption. GELTECH's sol-gel technology is a new process for making a high quality optical glass and components for commercial and military uses. This technology offers in addition to being a local source of optics, the possibility to create new materials for high-tech optical applications, and the elimination of the major part of grinding and polishing for which the skill moved off-shore. This paper presents a summary of the solgel technology for the manufacture of high quality optical glass and components. Properties of pure silica glass made by solgel process (Type V and Type VI silicas) are given and include: ultraviolet, visible and near infrared spectrophotometry, optical homogeneity and thermal expansion. Many applications such as near net shape casting or Fresnel lens surface replication are discussed. Several potential new applications offered by the solgel technology such as organic-inorganic composites for non linear optics or scintillation detection are also reported in this paper.

Citation Download Citation

Jean-Luc R. Nogues and Anthony J. LaPaglia "Processing, Properties And Applications Of Sol-Gel Silica Optics", Proc. SPIE 1168, Current Developments in Optical Engineering and Commercial Optics, (22 December 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.962971

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