Patent · US Expired

Aluminum oxynitride having improved optical characteristics and method of manufacture

US4481300A · kind A · utility

288Cited by
9References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 13, 1984
Grant dateNov 6, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 13, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S501/904
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method of preparing substantially homogeneous aluminum oxynitride powder is provided comprising the steps of reacting gamma aluminum oxide with carbon in the presence of nitrogen, and breaking down the resulting powder into particles in a predetermined size range. A method of preparing a durable optically transparent body from this powder is also provided comprising the steps of forming a green body of substantially homogeneous cubic aluminum oxynitride powder and sintering said green body in a nitrogen atmosphere and in the presence of predetermined additives which enhance the sintering process. Preferred additives are boron, in elemental or compound form, and at least one additional element selected from the group of yttrium and lanthanum or compounds thereof. The sintered polycrystalline cubic aluminum oxynitride has a density greater than 99% of theoretical density, an in-line transmission of at least 50% in the 0.3-5 micron range, and a resolving angle of 1 mrad or less.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.