Manufacturing Methods and Technology Program Zinc Selenide Blanks for Windows and Lens Elements.
Abstract
The purpose of this manufacturing and methods technology program is to establish an automated production process for the fabrication of high optical quality zinc selenide. The program is of seventeen months duration and is sponsored by the United States Army Electronics Research and Development Command. It addresses itself to the further automation of an exiting production process for the chemical vapor deposition of zinc selenide. Raytheon Company has successfully developed the techniques and facilities to fabricate state-of-the-art CVD zinc selenide in large sizes. It is anticipated that with improvements in automated processing the price for standard size lens blanks will be reduced to 50 percent of the catalog price. In addition, the use of a curved substrate may further reduce the price of the color correcting lens blank to less than $200 each for large volume purchases. The program has been divided into three phases. In the first phase, zinc selenide test blanks will be produced using the existing process. In Phase II of the program the zinc reservoir system will be replaced with an automated external zinc supply, and blanks will be deposited for confirmation of the optical and mechanical characteristics of the material. The third phase of the program will demonstrate the production capability of a pilot line to manufacture high-quality zinc selenide blanks at four-hundred and eighty-one (481) units per month.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA077004
Entities
People
- J. F. Connolly
- R. N. Donadio
Organizations
- RTX