The Influence of Some Transition Elements on Visible and Infrared Transmission of Calcium Aluminate Glasses

Abstract

A number of calcium aluminate glasses have been developed for use as infrared-transmitting window materials. These glasses have been stabilized with respect to devitrification by introducing alkali and iron into the batch composition. The iron reduced visible transmission of these glasses and at the same time to a lesser extent tends to decrease infrared transmission as the iron concentration increases. In a study of the influence of transition elements, Mn and particularly Cu are found to increase significantly the infrared transmission of these iron-alkali stabilized calcium aluminate glasses.