Fluoride glass compositions based on actinides or yttrium

Claim 2

A fluoride glass having transparency up to 12 microns consisting essentially of (1) 5 to 55 mole percent of a fluoride M 1 F 3 as a forming element wherein M 1 is yttrium, (2) 25 to 65 mole percent of a fluoride MtF 2 wherein Mt is zinc or manganese, (3) 15 to 45 mole percent of a fluoride M II F 2 wherein M II is barium, strontium or lead, and (4) 0-10 mole percent of an adjuvant consisting of at least one metal fluoride selected from the group consisting of M' II F 2 , M III F 3 and M'F 4 wherein M' II is a bivalent metal different from M II and Mt, M III is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, chromium and iron III and M' is selected from the group consisting of titanium, hafnium and zirconium, said fluoride glass being free of hydrofluoric acid as a forming element.

Claim 3

The fluoride glass of claim 1 wherein M II is barium.

Claim 4

A fluoride glass having transparency up to 12 microns consisting essentially of (1) 5 to 55 mole percent of a fluoride M 1 F 3 as a forming element wherein M 1 is yttrium, (2) 25 to 65 mole percent of a fluoride MtF 2 wherein Mt is zinc, (3) 15 to 45 mole percent of a fluoride M II F 2 wherein M II is barium, and (4) 0 to 10 mole percent of an adjuvant consisting of at least one metal fluoride selected from the group consisting of M' II F 2 , M III F 3 and M'F 4 wherein M' II is a bivalent metal different from M II and Mt, M III is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, chromium and iron III and M' is selected from the group consisting of titanium, hafnium and zirconium, said fluoride glass being free of hydrofluoric acid as a forming element.

Claim 5

A fluoride glass having transparency up to 12 microns consisting essentially of (1) 5 to 55 mole percent of a fluoride M 1 F 3 as a forming element wherein M 1 is yttrium, (2) 25 to 65 mole percent of a fluoride MtF 2 wherein Mt is zinc, (3) 15 to 45 mole percent of a fluoride M II F 2 wherein M II is barium, and (4) 0 to 10 mole percent of an adjuvant consisting of at least one metal fluoride selected from the group consisting of M' II F 2 , M III F 3 and M'F 4 wherein M' II is a bivalent metal different from M II and Mt, M III is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, chromium and iron III and M' is selected from the group consisting of titanium, hafnium and zirconium, said fluoride glass being free of hydrofluoric acid as a forming element.

Claim 6

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 33 mole percent ThF 4 , 33 mole percent YbF 3 and 34 mole percent ZnF 2 .

Claim 7

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 33 mole percent ThF 4 , 33 mole percent YbF 3 and 34 mole percent ZnF 2 .

Claim 8

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 30 mole percent ThF 4 , 23 mole percent YF 3 , 32 mole percent ZnF 2 and 15 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 9

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 30 mole percent ThF 4 , 23 mole percent YF 3 , 32 mole percent ZnF 2 and 15 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 10

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 35 mole percent ThF 4 , 23.5 mole percent YbF 3 , 24 mole percent ZnF 2 and 17.5 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 11

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 35 mole percent ThF 4 , 23.5 mole percent YbF 3 , 24 mole percent ZnF 2 and 17.5 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 12

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 70 mole percent UF 4 and 30 mole percent YbF 3 .

Claim 13

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 70 mole percent UF 4 and 30 mole percent YbF 3 .

Claim 14

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 40 mole percent UF 4 and 60 mole percent YbF 3 .

Claim 15

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 40 mole percent UF 4 and 60 mole percent YbF 3 .

Claim 16

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 40 mole percent ThF 4 , 50 mole percent MnF 2 and 10 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 17

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 40 mole percent ThF 4 , 50 mole percent MnF 2 and 10 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 18

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 40 mole percent ThF 4 , 40 mole percent ZnF 2 and 20 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 19

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 40 mole percent ThF 4 , 40 mole percent ZnF 2 and 20 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 20

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 30 mole percent ThF 4 , 50 mole percent ZnF 2 and 20 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 21

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 30 mole percent ThF 4 , 50 mole percent ZnF 2 and 20 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 22

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 40 mole percent ThF 4 , 40 mole percent YbF 3 and 20 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 23

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 40 mole percent ThF 4 , 40 mole percent YbF 3 and 20 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 24

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 30 mole percent YF 3 , 40 mole percent ZnF 2 and 30 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 25

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 30 mole percent YF 3 , 40 mole percent ZnF 2 and 30 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 26

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 50 mole percent UF 4 , 40 mole percent YbF 3 and 10 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 27

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 50 mole percent UF 4 , 40 mole percent YbF 3 and 10 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 28

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 50 mole percent ThF 4 , 40 mole percent TmF 3 and 10 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 29

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 50 mole percent ThF 4 , 40 mole percent TmF 3 and 10 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 30

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 40 mole percent ThF 4 , 40 mole percent LuF 3 and 20 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 31

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 40 mole percent ThF 4 , 40 mole percent LuF 3 and 20 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 32

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 45 mole percent ThF 4 , 45 mole percent ErF 3 and 10 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 33

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 45 mole percent ThF 4 , 45 mole percent ErF 3 and 10 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 34

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 20 mole percent YbF 3 , 50 mole percent ZnF 2 and 30 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 35

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 20 mole percent YbF 3 , 50 mole percent ZnF 2 and 30 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 36

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 10 mole percent LaF 3 , 60 mole percent ZnF 2 and 30 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 37

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 10 mole percent LaF 3 , 60 mole percent ZnF 2 and 30 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 38

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 10 mole percent CeF 3 , 60 mole percent ZnF 2 and 30 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 39

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 10 mole percent CeF 3 , 60 mole percent ZnF 2 and 30 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 40

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 15 mole percent PrF 3 , 55 mole percent ZnF 2 and 30 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 41

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 15 mole percent PrF 3 , 55 mole percent ZnF 2 and 30 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 42

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 15 mole percent NdF 3 , 55 mole percent ZnF 2 and 30 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 43

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 15 mole percent NdF 3 , 55 mole percent ZnF 2 and 30 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 44

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 20 mole percent SmF 3 , 50 mole percent ZnF 2 and 30 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 45

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 20 mole percent SmF 3 , 50 mole percent ZnF 2 and 30 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 46

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 20 mole percent EuF 3 , 55 mole percent ZnF 2 and 25 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 47

A hydrofluoric acid free fluoroglass having a transparency up to 12 microns consisting of 20 mole percent EuF 3 , 55 mole percent ZnF 2 and 25 mole percent BaF 2 .

Claim 48

A fluoride glass consisting essentially of (1) a glass-forming agent consisting of a fluoride MF 4 present in an amount of 20-50 mole percent thereof wherein M is thorium or uranium; (2) a further glass-forming agent consisting of a fluoride M 1 F 3 present in an amount up to 60 mole percent thereof wherein M 1 is selected from the group consisting of yttrium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium; (3) a lattice modifier consisting of at least a fluoride MtF 2 present in an amount up to 60 mole percent thereof wherein Mt is zinc or manganese; (4) a further lattice modifier consisting of at least a fluoride M II F 2 present in an amount up to 30 mole percent thereof wherein M II is barium, strontium or lead; and (5) 0-10 mole percent of an adjuvant consisting of at least one metal fluoride M II 'F 2 , M III F 3 or M'F 4 , wherein M II ' is a bivalent metal different from M II and Mt, M III is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, chromium and iron III, and M' is selected from the group consisting of titanium, hafnium and zirconium, said glass being free of hydrofluoric acid.

Claim 49

A fluoride glass consisting essentially of (1) a glass-forming agent consisting of a fluoride MF 4 present in an amount of 20-50 mole percent thereof wherein M is thorium or uranium; (2) a further glass-forming agent consisting of a fluoride M 1 F 3 present in an amount up to 60 mole percent thereof wherein M 1 is selected from the group consisting of yttrium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium; (3) a lattice modifier consisting of at least a fluoride MtF 2 present in an amount up to 60 mole percent thereof wherein Mt is zinc or manganese; (4) a further lattice modifier consisting of at least a fluoride M II F 2 present in an amount up to 30 mole percent thereof wherein M II is barium, strontium or lead; and (5) 0-10 mole percent of an adjuvant consisting of at least one metal fluoride M II 'F 2 , M III F 3 or M'F 4 , wherein M II ' is a bivalent metal different from M II and Mt, M III is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, chromium and iron III, and M' is selected from the group consisting of titanium, hafnium and zirconium, said glass being free of hydrofluoric acid.

Claim 50

The fluoride glass of claim 25 wherein M is thorium.

Claim 51

The fluoride glass of claim 26 wherein M II is barium.

Claim 52

A fluoride glass consisting essentially of (1) 25-70 mole percent of a fluoride MF 4 glass-forming agent wherein M is thorium or uranium, (2) 25-60 mole percent of a fluoride M 1 F 3 wherein M 1 is yttrium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium or lutetium, (3) a fluoride M II F 2 present in an amount up to 30 mole percent thereof wherein M II is barium, strontium or lead, (4) a fluoride MtF 2 present in an amount up to 30 mole percent thereof wherein Mt is zinc or manganese, and (5) 0-10 mole percent of an adjuvant consisting of at least one metal fluoride M II 'F 2 , M III F 3 or M'F 4 , wherein M II ' is a bivalent metal different from M II and Mt, M III is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, chromium and iron III, and M' is selected from the group consisting of titanium, hafnium and zirconium, said glass being free of hydrofluoric acid.

Claim 53

A fluoride glass consisting essentially of (1) 25-70 mole percent of a fluoride MF 4 glass-forming agent wherein M is thorium or uranium, (2) 25-60 mole percent of a fluoride M 1 F 3 wherein M 1 is yttrium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium or lutetium, (3) a fluoride M II F 2 present in an amount up to 30 mole percent thereof wherein M II is barium, strontium or lead, (4) a fluoride MtF 2 present in an amount up to 30 mole percent thereof wherein Mt is zinc or manganese, and (5) 0-10 mole percent of an adjuvant consisting of at least one metal fluoride M II 'F 2 , M III F 3 or M'F 4 , wherein M II ' is a bivalent metal different from M II and Mt, M III is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, chromium and iron III, and M' is selected from the group consisting of titanium, hafnium and zirconium, said glass being free of hydrofluoric acid.

Claim 54

The fluoride glass of claim 28 wherein M is thorium.

Claim 55

The fluoride glass of claim 29 wherein M II is barium.

Claim 56

A fluoride glass consisting essentially of (1) a glass-forming agent consisting of a fluoride MF 4 present in an amount of 20-50 mole percent thereof wherein M is thorium or uranium; (2) a further glass-forming agent consisting of a fluoride M 1 F 3 present in an amount up to 60 mole percent thereof wherein M 1 is selected from the group consisting of yttrium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium; (3) a lattice modifier consisting of a fluoride M II F 2 present in an amount up to 30 mole percent thereof wherein M II is barium, strontium or lead; and (4) 0-10 mole percent of an adjuvant consisting of at least one metal fluoride M II 'F 2 , M III F 3 or M'F 4 wherein M II ' is a bivalent metal different from M II , M III is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, chromium and iron III, and M' is selected from the group consisting of titanium, hafnium and zirconium, said fluoride glass being free of hydrofluoric acid.

Claim 57

A fluoride glass consisting essentially of (1) a glass-forming agent consisting of a fluoride MF 4 present in an amount of 20-50 mole percent thereof wherein M is thorium or uranium; (2) a further glass-forming agent consisting of a fluoride M 1 F 3 present in an amount up to 60 mole percent thereof wherein M 1 is selected from the group consisting of yttrium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium; (3) a lattice modifier consisting of a fluoride M II F 2 present in an amount up to 30 mole percent thereof wherein M II is barium, strontium or lead; and (4) 0-10 mole percent of an adjuvant consisting of at least one metal fluoride M II 'F 2 , M III F 3 or M'F 4 wherein M II ' is a bivalent metal different from M II , M III is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, chromium and iron III, and M' is selected from the group consisting of titanium, hafnium and zirconium, said fluoride glass being free of hydrofluoric acid.