Thermal Electrical, and Physical Property Measurements of Laser Window Materials
Abstract
Various II-VI and alkali halide compounds were subjected to a comprehensive evaluation to determine their relative effectiveness in a CO2 laser window application. All of the materials evaluated had the requisite infrared transparency and low absorptance; this program concentrated therefore on the thermal, electrical, mechanical, and physical properties which must be considered in the design of a practical window configuration. Primary emphasis was directed towards mechanical properties and more than 600 flexural test specimens were evaluated in the course of this 20-month effort. Initially, research quantities of CdTe and ZnSe from several suppliers were evaluated. Eventually, the evaluation concentrated on ZnSe produced by Raytheon Corporation using chemical vapor deposition to obtain large flat plates (nominally 35 cm x 60 cm) of fine grained polycrystalline material. Evaluation of the alkali halidees KCl, KBr, NaCl, and their alloys was initiated midway through the program. KCl alloyed with KBr, RbCl or Eu(+2) and hot forged to produce a fine- grained microstructure was the most promising of the alkali halides. Best results were obtained with alloys grown as single crystals by Harshaw and subsequently hot forged by Honeywell Corporation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADB004548
Entities
People
- John C. Wurst
- Thomas P. Graham
Organizations
- University of Dayton