The present disclosure relates to compositions that can be used for optical fibers and other systems that transmit light in the near-, mid- and/or far-ranges of the infrared spectrum, such as for example in the wavelength range of 1.5 μm to 14 μm. The optical fibers may comprise a light-transmitting chalcogenide core composition and a cladding composition. In some embodiments, the light-transmitting chalcogenide core composition has a refractive index n(core) and a coefficient of thermal expansion CTE(core), and the cladding composition has a refractive index n(cladding) and a coefficient of thermal expansion CTE(cladding), wherein n(cladding) is less than n(core) and in some embodiments wherein CTE(cladding) is less than CTE(core). In some embodiments, the chalcogenide glass core composition comprises a) sulfur and/or selenium, b) germanium, and c) gallium, indium, tin and/or one or more metal halides.

The present disclosure relates to compositions that can be used for optical fibers and other systems that transmit light in the near-, mid- and/or far-ranges of the infrared spectrum, such as for example in the wavelength range of 1.5 μm to 14 μm. The optical fibers may comprise a light-transmitting chalcogenide core composition and a cladding composition. In some embodiments, the light-transmitting chalcogenide core composition has a refractive index n(core) and a coefficient of thermal expansion CTE(core), and the cladding composition has a refractive index n(cladding) and a coefficient of thermal expansion CTE(cladding), wherein n(cladding) is less than n(core) and in some embodiments wherein CTE(cladding) is less than CTE(core). In some embodiments, the chalcogenide glass core composition comprises a) sulfur and/or selenium, b) germanium, and c) gallium, indium, tin and/or one or more metal halides.

Provided is a small-diameter chalcogenide glass material having excellent weather resistance and mechanical strength and being suitable as an optical element for an infrared sensor. The chalcogenide glass material has an unpolished side surface, a pillar shape with a diameter of 15 mm or less, and a composition of, in terms of % by mole, 40 to 90% S+Se+Te and an inside of the glass material is free of stria with a length of 500 μm or more.

The invention concerns a trim element for a motor vehicle comprising at least one glass sheet having an absorption coefficient lower than 5 m.sup.−1 in the wavelength range from 750 to 1050 nm and having an external and an internal faces. According to the present invention, an infrared-based remote sensing device in the wavelength range from 750 to 1050 nm, is placed behind the internal face of the glass sheet.

The invention concerns a trim element for a motor vehicle comprising at least one glass sheet having an absorption coefficient lower than 5 m.sup.−1 in the wavelength range from 750 to 1050 nm and having an external and an internal faces. According to the present invention, an infrared-based remote sensing device in the wavelength range from 750 to 1050 nm, is placed behind the internal face of the glass sheet.

Devices, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed that include a glass or glass ceramic substrate with a bleached region and an unbleached region. Examples include a substrate with a region that transmits IR wavelength light, and a region that is substantially opaque to IR light. Examples include additional opacity in some or all regions to visible wavelength light and/or UV wavelength light.

Devices, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed that include a glass or glass ceramic substrate with a bleached region and an unbleached region. Examples include a substrate with a region that transmits IR wavelength light, and a region that is substantially opaque to IR light. Examples include additional opacity in some or all regions to visible wavelength light and/or UV wavelength light.

A glass sheet having a composition which comprises total iron (expressed in terms of Fe.sub.2O.sub.3) from 0.002-0.06 wt %; chromium (expressed as Cr.sub.2O.sub.3) from 3-75 ppm; and manganese (expressed as MnO) from 50-1,000 ppm. The glass sheet has a LTD4 higher than 70%. Such a glass sheet exhibits at once a high luminous transmission, an increased transmission of infrared (IR) radiation and a pleasing slight color or an almost neutral to neutral color.

A glass sheet having a composition which comprises total iron (expressed in terms of Fe.sub.2O.sub.3) from 0.002-0.06 wt %; chromium (expressed as Cr.sub.2O.sub.3) from 3-75 ppm; and manganese (expressed as MnO) from 50-1,000 ppm. The glass sheet has a LTD4 higher than 70%. Such a glass sheet exhibits at once a high luminous transmission, an increased transmission of infrared (IR) radiation and a pleasing slight color or an almost neutral to neutral color.

A low infrared absorbing lithium glass includes FeO in the range of 0.0005-0.015 wt %, more preferably 0.001-0.010 wt %, and a redox ratio in the range of 0.005-0.15, more preferably in the range of 0.005-010. The glass can be chemically tempered and used to provide a ballistic viewing cover for night vision goggles or scope. A method is provided to change a glass making process from making a high infrared absorbing lithium glass having FeO in the range of 0.02 to 0.04 wt % and a redox ratio in the range of 0.2 to 0.4 to the low infrared absorbing lithium glass by adding additional oxidizers to the batch materials. A second method is provided to change a glass making process from making a low infrared absorbing lithium glass to the high infrared absorbing lithium glass by adding additional reducers to the batch material. In one embodiment of the invention the oxidizer is CeO.sub.2. An embodiment of the invention covers a glass made according to the method.