Gradient refractive index (GRIN) materials can include multi-phase composites having substances with differing refractive indices disposed non-uniformly within one another. Particular glass composites having a gradient index of refraction can include: an amorphous phase, and a phase-separated region disposed non-uniformly within the amorphous phase. The glass composites include a mixture containing: GeZ.sub.2 and A.sub.2Z.sub.3 in a combined molar ratio of about 60% to about 95%, and CsX and PbZ in a combined molar ratio of about 5% to about 40%, where A is As, Sb or Ga, X is Cl, Br or I, and Z is S or Se. When A is As, the glass composites include PbZ in a molar ratio of about 15% or less. The amorphous phase and the phase-separated region have refractive indices that differ from one another. More particularly, A is Ga or As, X is Cl, and Z is Se.

Methods of synthesizing particles and the resulting particles are disclosed. The methods include synthesizing the particles in the presence of one or more additives. The resulting particles are smaller and easier to disperse in solution. Also described are methods of processing particles and the resulting particles. In particular embodiments, the particles are suited for incorporation into films.

A method for producing a solid electrolyte, including: stirring a slurry including lithium sulfide and phosphorus sulfide in a hydrocarbon solvent in a reaction vessel, and circulating the slurry through a connecting pipe by a pump. The method is carried out in an apparatus including the reaction vessel and the connecting pipe connected to the pump and the reaction vessel.

A main object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a sulfide solid electrolyte that enables a sulfide solid electrolyte whose ion-conducting characteristic is easy to be improved, to be manufactured. The present invention is a method for manufacturing a sulfide solid electrolyte including loading a raw material for manufacturing a sulfide solid electrolyte which is mainly composed of a substance represented by the general formula of (100−x)(0.75Li.sub.2S.0.25P.sub.2S.sub.5).xLiI (here, 0<x<100), into a vessel; and amorphizing the raw material after said loading, wherein a reaction site temperature in the vessel is controlled so that x included in the general formula and the reaction site temperature y [° C.] in the vessel in said amorphizing satisfy y<−2.00x+1.79×10.sup.2.

Gradient refractive index (GRIN) materials can include multi-phase composites having substances with differing refractive indices disposed non-uniformly within one another. Particular glass composites having a gradient index of refraction can include: an amorphous phase, and a phase-separated region disposed non-uniformly within the amorphous phase. The glass composites include a mixture containing: GeZ.sub.2 and A.sub.2Z.sub.3 in a combined molar ratio of about 60% to about 95%, and CsX and PbZ in a combined molar ratio of about 5% to about 40%, where A is As, Sb or Ga, X is Cl, Br or I, and Z is S or Se. When A is As, the glass composites include PbZ in a molar ratio of about 15% or less. The amorphous phase and the phase-separated region have refractive indices that differ from one another. More particularly, A is Ga or As, X is Cl, and Z is Se.

Gradient refractive index (GRIN) materials can include multi-phase composites having substances with differing refractive indices disposed non-uniformly within one another. Particular glass composites having a gradient index of refraction can include: an amorphous phase, and a phase-separated region disposed non-uniformly within the amorphous phase. The glass composites include a mixture containing: GeZ.sub.2 and A.sub.2Z.sub.3 in a combined molar ratio of about 60% to about 95%, and CsX and PbZ in a combined molar ratio of about 5% to about 40%, where A is As, Sb or Ga, X is Cl, Br or I, and Z is S or Se. When A is As, the glass composites include PbZ in a molar ratio of about 15% or less. The amorphous phase and the phase-separated region have refractive indices that differ from one another. More particularly, A is Ga or As, X is Cl, and Z is Se.

The main object or purpose of the present invention is to provide a glass material that is suitable for mold forming, can reduce the size, and allows rays having a wavelength region between visible light to far-infrared light to pass through. To overcome this object, the present invention provides a glass material allowing rays having a wavelength in the region from visible light to far-infrared light to pass through, the glass material comprising, in terms of molar concentration: 50 to 70% of S, 15 to 30% of Ge, 5 to 20% of Ga, 0.5 to 15% of Ba, and 3 to 15% of at least one member selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, and I, with the proviso that when the Cl is present alone, the molar concentration is 6 to 15%.

Provided herein are ionically conductive solid-state compositions that include ionically conductive inorganic particles in a matrix of an organic material. The resulting composite material has high ionic conductivity and mechanical properties that facilitate processing. In particular embodiments, the ionically conductive solid-state compositions are compliant and may be cast as films. In some embodiments of the present invention, solid-state electrolytes including the ionically conductive solid-state compositions are provided. In some embodiments of the present invention, electrodes including the ionically conductive solid-state compositions are provided. The present invention further includes embodiments that are directed to methods of manufacturing the ionically conductive solid-state compositions and batteries incorporating the ionically conductive solid-state compositions.

The present invention provides for synthesizing high optical quality multicomponent chalcogenide glasses without refractive index perturbations due to striae, phase separation or crystal formation using a two-zone furnace and multiple fining steps. The top and bottom zones are initially heated to the same temperature, and then a temperature gradient is created between the top zone and the bottom zone. The fining and cooling phase is divided into multiple steps with multiple temperature holds.

Provided is a thermally stable infrared-transmitting glass. An infrared-transmitting glass contains, in terms of % by mole, over 15 to 40% Ge, over 0 to 40% Ga, 40 to below 80% Te, 0 to 40% Si+Al+Ti+Cu+In+Sn+Bi+Cr+Sb+Zn+Mn+Cs+Ag+As+Pb, and 0 to 40% F+Cl+Br+I.