Articles
  • Phase equilibria and processing of infrared optical ceramics on the join CaLa2S4-La2S3 
  • Daniel L. Chessa, Catherine A. Chessa, Judith A. Marksb and William B. Whitec,*
  • a Environmental Sciences Division, Thomas J. Watson Research Center, IBM Corp., Yorktown Heights, NY, USA b 1241 Burnsville Road, Williamsville, VA 24487 USA c Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA
Abstract
Processing techniques have been developed for the fabrication of optically transparent, theoretically dense CaLa2S4 - La2S3 ceramics with a potential application as windows for the mid-infrared. Extreme care is needed to avoid oxygen. Best results were obtained by pre-sintering in an H2S/H-2 atmosphere followed by hot-isostatic pressing. Microstructures, hardness measurements, and infrared absorption spectra serve to characterize the various processing procedures.

Keywords: IR windows; Hot pressing; Phase equilibria; Thorium phosphide structures

This Article

  • 2010; 11(4): 465-470

    Published on Aug 31, 2010