Binary and ternary phosphides have recently been identified in our laboratory as promising classes of materials which can be used as potential novel infrared (IR) transmitting ceramics. These materials might be employed in the 8-12 μm region and in environments involving severe thermal and mechnical stresses. In this presentation the current status of research and developing technologies involving these materials will be summarized. Initial target materials selected for study include ZnP₂, ZnSiP₂, ZnZrP₂, ZnGeP₂ and mixed systems of the latter three compounds. Preliminary synthesis and characterization efforts will be described. Characterization techniques used to date include: Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, elemental analyses, thermogravimetric analyses, and microhardness determination. Data from these measurements will be presented. Problems involved in sample preparation and impurity content will be reviewed. Potential problems in processing these materials and in their use as IR trans-mitting ceramics will also be discussed.

Date Published: 26 December 1984
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 0505, Advances in Optical Materials, (26 December 1984); doi: 10.1117/12.964623

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 0505:
Advances in Optical Materials
Solomon Musikant, Editor(s)