Lorad Chemical Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N222-116

Description

Lorad Chemical Corporation (“Lorad”) has developed nano-scale high-purity Calcium Lanthanum Sulfide ("CLS") powders suitable for fabrication of near theoretical density infrared ("IR") transparent domes, windows, lenses, and other parts. CLS incorporated into optical components and domes / windows has several applications in IR optical sensing systems and IR lenses for laser applications. As part of our iterative approach to the research into CLS, Lorad has examined several compositions and synthesis routes. In addition to stoichiometric CLS, Lorad has synthesized several non-stoichiometric compositions including, 90:10, 25:10, and 50:10 (Lanthanum to Calcium ratio). Lorad has also determined that precursor materials made via our proprietary flame spray pyrolysis system yields high quality powders resulting in sulfide ceramics parts with high transmittance across the IR part of the spectrum in the 8-14 micron long-wavelength IR band. For Phase I, our goal will be to demonstrate that we can produce consistent, tunable, CLS powder with a narrow particle size distribution, using our experience and know-how. For the Phase I option, we will extend this effort with additional lots produced and a comparative study to demonstrate repeatability at scale.