Raytheon Company

Christopher S Nordahl

Richard L Gentilman

Ralph Korenstein

Thomas M Hartnett

Joseph M Wahl

Huy Q Nguyen

Andrew B Facciano

Randal W Tustison

Kenneth David Smith

David G Manzi

Brian J Zelinski

Stephanie Silberstein Bell

Linda A Gee

R Wesley Jackson

Randall W Tustison

According to various aspects and embodiments, a system and method for providing an optical element is disclosed. In one example, the optical element includes a substrate formed from a Nanocomposite Optical Ceramic (NCOC) material that includes a first oxide nanograin material dispersed in a second oxide nanograin material, and a compressive layer of the NCOC material formed on a surface of the substrate.

Method of strengthening an optical element

A nanocomposite optical ceramic (NCOC) material. The material having a first solid phase, a second solid phase, and a third solid phase. The first solid phase has first solid phase grains no larger than 5 μm, and each first solid phase grain has a first solid phase grain boundary. The second solid phase has second solid phase grains no larger than 5 μm, and each second solid phase grain has a second solid phase grain boundary. The third solid phase has a doping agent. The doping agent is less than 5 atomic % soluble in the first solid phase and the second solid phase. At least part of the third solid phase is situated at the second solid phase grain boundary.

Al additions for grain pinning in Y2O3—MgO

A three-dimensional (3D) printing composition includes ceramic filaments comprising an additive having an aspect ratio of at least 2:1. 3D printed ceramic articles include the ceramic filaments.

Ceramics with engineered microstructures via 3D printing and templated grain growth

A coupler for separable physically coupling together a pair of objects includes two parts, on opposite sides of a boundary, that have different piezoelectric characteristics. When an electric field is applied to the coupler parts the piezoelectric forces induce a mechanical stress that separates the parts. The parts may be made of the same or a similar material, such as a suitable ceramic material, with the different piezoelectric characteristics produced by templating the parts with different domain orientations, from different seeds, for example using a three-dimensional manufacturing processes. The coupler may be used to allow shock-free (or reduced shock) separation of parts, such as separation of stages of vehicles such as flight vehicles.

Separable physical coupler using piezoelectric forces for decoupling

Systems and method for forming a nanocomposite material. One example of a nanocomposite material includes a first sulfur-based nanoparticle material defining a first nanophase and a second sulfur-based nanoparticle material defining a second nanophase, wherein the nanocomposite material is at least partially long-wave infrared (LWIR) transmitting, and the first nanophase and the second nanophase are co-dispersed to form interpenetrating networks with one another and each has a grain structure that is distinct from one another.

Long wave infrared transparent window and coating materials

A method for forming an optical window. In one example, the method includes depositing a layer of eutectic bonding material onto a first surface of a first section of window material, positioning a second surface of a second section of window material onto the layer of eutectic bonding material such that the first surface is disposed opposite the second surface, and heating the eutectic bonding material to a temperature above a eutectic temperature of the eutectic bonding material and below a melting temperature of the window material for a predetermined length of time to form an optical window. The window material of the first section and the second section may be transparent to infrared radiation and comprise aluminum.

Large area format sapphire windows via transient liquid phase bonding

A solid solution-based optical material capable of transmitting infrared light, the solid solution-based optical material comprising at least two nano-sized phases intermixed in one another, wherein at least one of the at least two nano-sized phases is a solid solution containing a dissolved dopant, the dissolved dopant present in an amount sufficient to reduce a refractive index difference between the at least two nano-sized phases to about 0.2 or less when infrared light is being transmitted. Various embodiments are directed to related systems and methods. In one embodiment, the infrared light is visible infrared light, short-wave infrared light, eye safe infrared light, medium wave infrared light, long wave infrared red light, or combinations thereof.

Growing community of inventors

Chelmsford, MA, United States of America

Christopher S Nordahl