Chalcogenide compositions for optical fibers and other systems

US11713275B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Schott AG · DE

Inventors

• Bernd Schultheis · Bad Kreuznach, DE
• Nathan Carlie · Clarks Summit, US
• Lothar Willmes · Obermoschel, DE
• Simone Monika Ritter · Mainz, DE
• Bernd Hoppe · Ingelheim am Rhein, DE
• William James · Clarks Summit, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 12, 2019
• Grant date: Aug 1, 2023
• Expiry date: Feb 17, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C03C2213/00
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to compositions that can be used for optical fibers and other systems that transmit light in the near-, mid- and/or far-ranges of the infrared spectrum, such as for example in the wavelength range of 1.5 μm to 14 μm. The optical fibers may comprise a light-transmitting chalcogenide core composition and a cladding composition. In some embodiments, the light-transmitting chalcogenide core composition has a refractive index n(core) and a coefficient of thermal expansion CTE(core), and the cladding composition has a refractive index n(cladding) and a coefficient of thermal expansion CTE(cladding), wherein n(cladding) is less than n(core) and in some embodiments wherein CTE(cladding) is less than CTE(core). In some embodiments, the chalcogenide glass core composition comprises a) sulfur and/or selenium, b) germanium, and c) gallium, indium, tin and/or one or more metal halides.