UCF College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL) Pegasus Professor Kathleen Richardson and colleagues from Clemson University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology studied the incredible self-healing capabilities of a specialized chalcogenide glass after it was exposed to gamma radiation. (Photo by Antoine Hart)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nChalcogenide glasses are comprised of chalcogen elements \u2014 sulfur, selenium, and tellurium \u2014 alloyed with elements like germanium or arsenic to create optical glass materials that may be applied to sensors or infrared lenses.<\/p>\n
As part of shared research between the universities, Richardson, who is director of UCF\u2019s Glass Processing and Characterization Laboratory (GPCL), and her co-investigators observed this unique transformation while testing a specific chalcogenide glass made of germanium, antimony and sulfur for use in a satellite\u2019s circuitry system. When exposed to gamma radiation similar to what may be encountered in space, the glass developed microscopic defects that later were repaired over time in a room temperature environment.<\/p>\n
The self-healing glass could be useful in devices or instruments that may be exposed to extreme environments where gamma radiation may be prevalent, such as space or radioactive facilities. The research also provides foundational knowledge of the microscopic origins of the self-healing process for a wider variety of chalcogenide glasses.<\/p>\n
For the study, UCF researchers measured the quantities of the raw elemental material and fabricated the chalcogenide glass, says Richardson.<\/p>\n
The process must be precise, and the UCF lab is highly specialized to ensure the glass isn\u2019t exposed to moisture, oxygen or other contaminants, she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe put the materials in a furnace where we can melt them into a glassy state,\u201d Richardson says. \u201cOnce it’s melted, the glass is then broken out of these tubes. This particular program sent the melted glasses to MIT where they made thin films out of these materials.\u201d<\/p>\n
The desire to harness this specialized glass for use in infrared systems has risen as traditional materials have become scarce and prohibitively expensive, she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are increasingly looking at glasses that have similar optical transparency to crystals such as germanium that can be engineered for their composition and properties for use in applications where germanium may be used,\u201d Richardson says. \u201cThese glasses are seeing more and more use in systems where the community is looking for alternatives to some of the crystalline solutions that have historically been used before.\u201d<\/p>\n
These glasses are distinct from conventional glasses, such as in windows or eyeglasses, she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese glasses exclude oxygen, and that\u2019s what makes them special for the infrared,\u201d Richardson says. \u201cThese are made of elements on the far-right side of the periodic table. When they bond together, they make very infrared transparent materials but with very large atoms and weak bonds.\u201d<\/p>\n
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