Germanate glass for mid-infrared medical optical fiber
US5491767A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 1994 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC03C13/048
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
This invention relates to a family of rugged, non-toxic, high damage threshold, fiberizable, infrared transmitting germanate glasses that are suitable for medical laser delivery. They possess excellent visible transmission to utilize an aim beam in conjunction with the infrared laser. The glasses comprise (in mol %) 23.0-76.0% GeO.sub.2, 0-39.0% Ga.sub.2 O.sub.3, 3.0-51.0% SrO, 8.0-17.0% Ta.sub.2 O.sub.5, 0-23.0% Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-35.0% ZnO, and optionally one or more of the following components; 0-11.0% TiO.sub.2, 0-20.0% Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5, 0-8.0% ZrO.sub.2, 0-13.0% Cs.sub.2 O, 0-10% MgO, 0-27% La.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-25.0% Gd.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-23.0% Yb.sub.2 O.sub.3. These glasses have intrinsic absorption coefficients of less than 0.137, 0.048, 0.024 and 0.021 dB/m at 2.94, 2.796, 2.71 and 2.69 .mu.m, respectively. The glasses are characterized by excellent chemical durability, low thermal expansion coefficient, high glass transition temperature, and good glass working properties such as low liquidus temperature, flat viscosity-temperature dependence and good resistance to devitrification. Specific embodiments are particularly well suited for use in biological applications where high…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.