Douglas S. Kindred

Gradient-index silver alumina phosphate glasses by exchange of Na + for Ag +

High index of refraction crown glasses containing silver oxide have been cast from a melt and used for ion exchange experiments. High quality axial and radial gradient-index profiles were fabricated and the interdiffusion coefficient calculated. Index changes up to 0.08 were achieved in a base glass with n(d) = 1.61 and V(d) = 57.

Design, fabrication, and testing of a gradient-index binocular objective.

A two-element axial gradient-index binocular objective has been designed and fabricated by the ion exchange technique. A prototype system has been assembled and tested.

Radial gradient-index eyepiece design.

Three- and four-element eyepiece designs are presented each with a different type of radial gradient-index distribution. Both quadratic and modified quadratic index profiles are shown to provide effective control of the field aberrations. In particular, the three-element design with a quadratic index profile demonstrates that the inhomogeneous power contribution can make significant contributions to the overall system performance, especially the astigmatism correction. Using gradient-index components has allowed for increased eye relief and field of view making these designs comparable with five- and six-element ones.

Gradient-index binocular objective design

A two-element binocular objective with one axial gradient-index element was designed and compared with a three-element homogeneous objective. The index was constrained so that the gradient could be fabricated.

Index profile control using Li(+) for Na(+) exchange in aluminosilicate glasses.

Two new techniques for altering the gradient-index profile shape are presented using ion exchange of Li(+) for Na(+) in an aluminosilicate glass. By varying the alkali concentration in the base glass and salt melt, the functional form of the index profile is modified to range in shape from convex to concave. The success of these techniques is attributed to the unusual characteristics of the initial system, which are shown to be caused by a nonlinear dependence of refractive index on dopant concentration.

Gradient index in borate glasses

A number of aluminum-borate glasses has been developed for producing gradient index glasses by exchanging. Both positive and negative axial gradient were fabricated in the glasses by exchange of Li+ for Na+ and Na+ for Li+, respectively. Index change to 0.03 and gradient index Abble number larger than +100 were achieved. The diffusion coefficients of Na+ and Li+ in borate glasses were calculated by fitting the profiles of refractive index to complimentary error function.

Development Of New Gradient Index Glasses By Ion Exchange

Two new families of gradient index glass are discussed with an emphasis on fabrication.

Design, Fabrication, And Testing Of A Gradient-Index Binocular Objective

A two-element axial gradient-index binocular objective has been designed and fabricated. A prototype system has been assembled and tested.