Space processing of chalcogenide glasses

Abstract

Manufacture of chalcogenide glasses in space will eliminate many of the causes of optical non-homogeneity and contamination that are inherent in earth-bound manufacture. A program is outlined to demonstrate the feasibility of various techniques and processes that will be utilized to manufacture chalcogenide glasses in space. Amorphous character, purity, and homogeneity parameters are being investigated at various stages of the glass forming process. These parameters in merit index form will serve to provide guidelines for the design of the actual melting experiment in space, and for the optimization of the exact chalcogenide composition to be included in the space experiments.