Optical elements and imaging optics comprising them

US7324285B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Schott AG · DE

Inventors

• Steffen Reichel · Mehlingen, DE
• Wolfram Beier · Essenheim, DE
• Frank-Thomas Lentes · Bingen, DE
• Yoshio Okano · Seto, JP
• Jochen Alkemper · Klein-Winternheim, DE
• Jose Zimmer · Ingelheim am Rhein, DE
• Joseph Hayden · Clarks Summit, US
• Carsten Weinhold · Nieder-Olm, DE
• Ulrich Peuchert · Bodenheim, DE
• Martin Letz · Mainz, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 20, 2006
• Grant date: Jan 29, 2008
• Expiry date: Sep 20, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C04B2235/9653
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The optical elements are made from an opto-ceramic material that is characterized by high density, transparency for visible light and IR, high refractive index, high Abbe number and outstanding relative partial dispersion. Mixed oxides are sintered to obtain the opto-ceramic material. The mixed oxides contain zirconium oxide and hafnium oxide mixed with one or more oxides of yttrium, scandium, lanthanide elements, and optionally mixed with one or more of SiO2, Na2O, and TiO2. Alternatively the mixed oxides contain zirconium oxide and hafnium oxide mixed with CaO and/or MgO and optionally mixed with one or more of SiO2, Na2O, and TiO2. In addition, the mixed oxides can also include one or more oxides of Al, Ga, In, and Sc; optionally one or more oxides of yttrium, some lanthanide elements; and optionally one or more of SiO2, Na2O, MgO, CaO, and TiO2.