Abstract

For many years the practical applications of infrared technology were hindered by the optical materials then available - generally small, fragile single crystals with poor mechanical and environmental response properties. In the 60 's Kodak manufactured a series of infrared optical materials (IRTRAN) by the hot pressing of powders. Although these materials were a substantial improvement over the single crystals, their mechanical and optical properties were not optimum and, in addition, sizes over 7" in diameter were difficult and expensive to fabricate by this technique. In the early 70's under government support, the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process was successfully applied to the manufacture of the infrared materials zinc sulfide (ZnS) and zinc selenide (ZnSe). For the first time infrared materials were available with excellent optical, mechanical and environmental properties. These materials could be manufactured in large sizes and various shapes in a cost effective manner. The availability of CVD ZnS and ZnSe together with high purity, optical grade germanium have provided the bulk of the optical components which have now enabled infrared technology to be successfully applied in many commercial and military systems.

© 1982 Optical Society of America