Page 202 - Chalcogenide Glasses for Infrared Optics

178 Cha pte r Se v e n

FIGURE 7.20 Disks cut and polished from a 0.75-in-diameter extruded
Amtir 1 rod.

Figure 7.20 is a photograph of a 0.75-in-diameter extruded rod of
Amtir 1 glass. The illustration shows the potential of extruding large
rods and then sawing them into the correct thickness for lens blanks.
Material utilization would be greatly increased in comparison to core
drilling from a plate.

7.4.1 Glass Extrusion Summary
AMI was able to get started in building extrusion equipment by using
local available help and parts in response to an apparent immediate
need. A production process was developed capable of producing
thousands of small rods. After the need vanished, AMI continued the
development of the technology after purchasing a first-class computer-
controlled system. Diameter control was improved, and other mate-
rials were extruded. Applications of the technology in the business
sense have not appeared.

References
1. Paul Klocek, Mark Roth, and R. D. Rock, “Chalcogenide Glass Optical Fibers
and Image Bundles: Properties and Applications,” Opt. Engg. 26, 88 (1987).
2. D. J. McEnroe, M. J. Finney, P. H. Prideaux, and P. C. Schultz, “Optical and
Mechanical Properties of Chalcogenide Fibers,” 4th International Symposia
on Optical Applied Science and Engineering, Netherlands, 1987.