Fluoride Glasses With Large Optical Window For Infrared Fibers

A variety of new multicomponent glasses based on the fluorides of heavy metals has been developed. The ZrF4 based glasses are suitable for fiber fabrication operating in the mid IR region with optical window in the 0.25 to 6-7μ range. A new family of glasses based on thorium and rare earth fluoride with a large optical window 0.3 - 9μ is presented. A critical comparison of the advantages as well as the problems associated with these new materials and fiber fabrication techniques is given.