Method of making an integral window hermetic fiber optic component
In the fabrication of igniters, actuators, detonators, and other pyrotechnic devices to be activated by a laser beam, an integral optical glass window is formed by placing a preform in the structural member of the device and then melting the glass and sealing it in place by heating at a temperature between the ceramming temperature of the glass and the melting point of the metal, followed by rapid furnace cooling to avoid devitrification. No other sealing material is needed to achieve hermeticity. A preferred embodiment of this type of device is fabricated by allowing the molten glass to flow further and form a plano-convex lens integral with and at the bottom of the window. The lens functions to decrease the beam divergence caused by refraction of the laser light passing through the window when the device is fired by means of a laser beam. 9 figs.
- Research Organization:
- EG & G Mound Applied Tech
- Sponsoring Organization:
- United States Department of Energy
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-88DP43495
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5,573,565/A/
- Application Number:
- PAN: 8-262,125
- OSTI ID:
- 403672
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Development of hermetic, fiberoptic components: 2, Integral window laser-initiated devices
Hermetic fiber optic-to-metal connection technique