Ion-exchangeable phosphate glass compositions and strengthened optical quality glass articles
Patent 5164343 Issued on November 17, 1992. Estimated Expiration Date: 
May 22, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
May 22, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 2779136 3218220 3357876 3687779 3765855 Method of producing optical wave guide fibers Sodium ion-exchange on surface of beta-spodumene Potassium ion-exchange on surface of beta-spodumene Laser phosphate glass compositions Phosphate base laser glasses InventorApplicationNo. 703962 filed on 05/22/1991US Classes:501/48, And aluminum or beryllium252/301.4P, Phosphorus containing252/301.6P, Phosphorus containing501/45, Phosphorus containing501/46And titanium, zirconium, vanadium, tungsten, or molybdenumExaminersPrimary: Dixon, William R. Jr.Assistant: Green, Anthony Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassesC03C 003/16C09K 011/42 AbstractIon-exchangeable phosphate glass compositions containing in mole percent from about 50 to 70% P2 O5, from about 5 to 30% Li2 O, from about 5 to 25% MO, where M is selected from the group consisting of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn, and about 5 to 30% X2 O3, where X is selected from the group consisting of Al, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu are provided. In another aspect, the phosphate glass compositions of the present invention also contain in mole percent up to 10% R2 O, where R is selected from the group consisting of Na, K, Rb and Cs. Solarization inhibitors and minor amounts of anhydrous fluorides and chlorides are also included in some embodiments. Optical quality phosphate glass articles formed of the phosphate glass compositions of the present invention are readily ion- exchangeable when contacted with certain salts. Optical quality phosphate glass articles are also provided having good thermal shock resistance. These glass articles have an inner tension region and an outer compressive surface layer formed using an ion exchange process. In some embodiments, laser rods and similar active optical elements are formed from the strengthened phosphate glass articles of the present invention where the optical elements are doped with an amount of a suitable dopant effective for laser activity.Other References
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