Chalcogenide lens elements and methods of manufacturing such lens elements are provided. In one example, a method includes depositing a first chalcogenide layer on a substrate. The method further includes applying a first stamp to the first chalcogenide layer. The method further includes reflowing, in response to applying the first stamp, the first chalcogenide layer to form a first shaped chalcogenide layer. The method may further include singulating the substrate and the first shaped chalcogenide layer to obtain a plurality of chalcogenide lens elements.

Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for annealing a chalcogenide lens at an elevated temperature to accelerate release of internal stress within the chalcogenide lens caused during a molding process that formed the chalcogenide lens. In particular, the annealing process includes gradually heating the chalcogenide lens to a dwell temperature, maintaining the chalcogenide lens at the dwell temperature for a predetermined period of time, and gradually cooling the chalcogenide lens from the dwell temperature. The annealing process stabilizes the shape, the effective focal length, and/or the modulation transfer function of the chalcogenide lens. Associated optical assemblies and infrared imaging devices are also described.

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.

Provided is a method for manufacturing an infrared-transmissive lens having an excellent surface quality. A method for manufacturing an infrared-transmissive lens includes firing a preform of a chalcogenide glass in an inert gas atmosphere to obtain a fired body and then subjecting the fired body to hot press molding.

A thermoplastic filament comprising multiple polymers of differing flow temperatures in a regular geometric arrangement, and a method for producing such a filament, are described. Because of the difference in flow temperatures, there exists a temperature range at which one polymer is mechanically stable while the other is flowable. This property is extremely useful for creating thermoplastic monofilament feedstock for three-dimensionally printed parts, wherein the mechanically stable polymer enables geometric stability while the flowable polymer can fill gaps and provide strong bonding and homogenization between deposited material lines and layers. These multimaterial filaments can be produced via thermal drawing from a thermoplastic preform, which itself can be three-dimensionally printed. Furthermore, the preform can be printed with precisely controlled and complex geometries, enabling the creation of monofilament and fiber with unique decorative or functional properties.

A method for producing a solid electrolyte, comprising: grinding raw materials comprising lithium sulfide and phosphorus sulfide in a hydrocarbon solvent, optionally comprising stirring a slurry comprising the raw materials and the hydrocarbon solvent in a reaction vessel, and optionally, circulating the slurry through a connecting pipe, wherein the method is carried out in an apparatus comprising the grinder, the reaction vessel and the connecting pipe that connects the grinder and the reaction vessel.

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.

A high optical quality multicomponent chalcogenide glasses without refractive index perturbations due to striae, phase separation or crystal formation made using a sealed ampoule with chemical components enclosed inside, a two-zone furnace, a convection heating/mixing step, and multiple fining steps. Initially, the sealed ampoule is oriented vertically within the two-zone furnace and heated to melt the chemical components contained within, and a temperature gradient is created between the top zone and the bottom zone such that the bottom zone has a higher temperature. This temperature gradient causes convection currents within the viscous liquid until it is sufficiently mixed due to the convective flow. Then the temperature gradient is reversed such that the top zone now has a higher temperature and the convective flow ceases. The furnace temperatures are then reduced over a period of time, with holds at multiple temperatures for fining and cooling to form a solid glass.

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 thermoplastic filament comprising multiple polymers of differing flow temperatures in a regular geometric arrangement, and a method for producing such a filament, are described. Because of the difference in flow temperatures, there exists a temperature range at which one polymer is mechanically stable while the other is flowable. This property is extremely useful for creating thermoplastic monofilament feedstock for three-dimensionally printed parts, wherein the mechanically stable polymer enables geometric stability while the flowable polymer can fill gaps and provide strong bonding and homogenization between deposited material lines and layers. These multimaterial filaments can be produced via thermal drawing from a thermoplastic preform, which itself can be three-dimensionally printed. Furthermore, the preform can be printed with precisely controlled and complex geometries, enabling the creation of monofilament and fiber with unique decorative or functional properties.