JP2010006675A - Optical glass, preform and optical element - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an optical glass which can correct the chromatic aberration of a lens highly precisely while its Abbe number lies within a desired range, and to obtain a preform and an optical element using the optical glass. <P>SOLUTION: The optical glass comprises, based on the total mass of the glass in a composition expressed in terms of oxide, by mass, an Nb<SB>2</SB>O<SB>5</SB>component of 1.0 to 75.0% and a TiO<SB>2</SB>component of ≤40.0%, has a partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] of 0.63 to 0.69, and has an Abbe number (ν<SB>d</SB>) of 15 to 27. The preform and optical element are composed of the optical glass. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical glass having an extremely large partial dispersion ratio [θg, F], and a preform and an optical element using the optical glass.

  A lens system of an optical apparatus is usually designed by combining a plurality of glass lenses having different optical properties. In recent years, optical glasses having optical characteristics that have not been used in the past have been used as spherical and aspherical lenses in order to further increase the degree of freedom in designing lens systems of diversifying optical devices. In particular, in optical design, those having different refractive indexes and dispersion tendencies have been developed in accordance with the purpose of reducing aberrations. Among them, the optical glass having an extremely large partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] has an extraordinary dispersion property described below, and thus has a remarkable effect in correcting aberrations, thereby expanding the degree of freedom in optical design. Is.

The partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] representing the partial dispersion in the short wavelength region is shown in Equation (1).
θg, F = (n _g −n _F ) / (n _F −n _C ) (1)

In general, optical glass has an approximately linear inverse proportion relationship between a partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] representing partial dispersion in a short wavelength region and an Abbe number (ν _d ). The detached glass is called anomalous dispersion glass. The straight line representing this inverse proportionality plots the partial dispersion ratio and Abbe number of NSL7 and PBM2 on the Cartesian coordinates using the partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] on the vertical axis and the Abbe number (ν _d ) on the horizontal axis. It is represented by a straight line connecting the two points and is called a normal line (see FIG. 1). Normal glass, which is the standard for normal lines, varies from one optical glass manufacturer to another, but has the same slope and intercept. (NSL7 and PBM2 are optical glasses manufactured by OHARA, Inc., the Abbe number (ν _d ) of PBM2 is 36.3, the partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] is 0.5828, and the Abbe number (ν _d ) of NSL7. 60.5 and the partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] is 0.5436.) Regarding the anomalous dispersion of the optical glass, the plot of the partial dispersion ratio and the Abbe number of the optical glass is shown in the vertical direction from the normal line. How far away is an indicator. When a lens made of an anomalous dispersion glass is used in combination with another lens, chromatic aberration can be corrected in a wide wavelength range from ultraviolet to infrared.

Anomalous dispersion glass is disclosed in various documents. For example, Patent Documents 1 to 5 disclose optical glasses having partial dispersion ratios [θg, F] having unique values. Specifically, a _{SiO 2 -B 2 O 3 -ZrO 2} -Nb 2 O 5 system and the _{SiO 2 -ZrO 2 -Nb 2 O 5} -Ta 2 O 5 based glass of Patent Documents 1 to 3 An optical glass having an Abbe number (ν _d ) in the range of 28 to 55 and a partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] in the range of 0.54 to 0.59 is disclosed. Patent Documents 4 and 5 disclose SiO ₂ —B ₂ O ₃ —TiO ₂ —Al ₂ O ₃ or Bi ₂ O ₃ —B ₂ O ₃ based glass having an Abbe number (ν _d ) of 32. An optical glass having a partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] in the range of 0.55 to 0.59 is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-130033 JP-A-10-265238 International Publication No. 01/072650 Pamphlet JP 2003-313047 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-020530

  However, the values of the partial dispersion ratios of the glasses disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 5 remain as low as 0.59 or less, and a high partial dispersion ratio [θg is required to correct the chromatic aberration of the lens with higher accuracy. , F], but is insufficient to meet the increasing optical design requirements in recent years.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to correct the chromatic aberration of a lens with higher accuracy while the Abbe number (ν _d ) is within a desired range. It is to obtain an optical glass, a preform and an optical element using the optical glass.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have conducted intensive test studies. As a result, the Nb ₂ O ₅ component and other components are used in combination, and the content ratios of the Nb ₂ O ₅ component and the TiO ₂ component are predetermined. It was found that the dispersion of the glass falls within the desired range and the partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] of the glass is increased by the suppression within the above range, and the present invention has been completed. Specifically, the present invention provides the following.

(1) 1.0 to 75.0% of Nb ₂ O ₅ component and 40.0% or less of TiO ₂ component are contained in mass% with respect to the total mass of the glass in oxide conversion composition, and 0.63 or more. An optical glass having a partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] of 0.69 or less and an Abbe number (ν _d ) of 15 or more and 27 or less.

(2) The optical glass according to (1), which contains 1.0 to 40.0% of a TiO ₂ component.

(3) The optical glass according to (1) or (2), wherein a mass sum (Nb ₂ O ₅ + TiO ₂ ) with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide equivalent composition is 40.0% or more.

(4) The optical glass according to any one of (1) to (3), further containing 0 to 50.0% of a Bi ₂ O ₃ component by mass% with respect to the total mass of the glass having an oxide equivalent composition.

(5) The optical glass according to (4), wherein the mass sum (Nb ₂ O ₅ + TiO ₂ + Bi ₂ O ₃ ) with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide equivalent composition is 40.0% or more.

(6) The optical glass according to any one of (1) to (5), further containing 0 to 30.0% of a P ₂ O ₅ component in mass% with respect to the total mass of the glass having an oxide equivalent composition.

(7) MgO component 0 to 25.0% and / or CaO component 0 to 25.0% and / or SrO component 0 to 25.0% and / or% by mass with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide equivalent composition. Or BaO component 0-25.0% and / or ZnO component 0-25.0%
The optical glass according to any one of (1) to (6), further containing each component of

  (8) The optical glass according to (7), wherein a mass sum (MgO + CaO + SrO + BaO + ZnO) with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is 30.0% or less.

(9) the entire mass of the glass in terms of oxide composition, 0 to 10.0% Li ₂ O component in% by weight and / or Na ₂ O component from 0 to 20.0% and / or _{K 2} O ingredient 0 10.0% and / or Cs ₂ O component from 0 to 10.0%
The optical glass according to any one of (1) to (8), further comprising:

(10) The optical glass according to (9), wherein the mass sum (Li ₂ O + Na ₂ O + K ₂ O + Cs ₂ O) with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide equivalent composition is 20.0% or less.

(11) the entire mass of the glass in terms of oxide composition, SiO ₂ component from 0 to 10.0% and / or by mass% _B 2 _{O 3} component from 0 to 10.0% and / or _Al 2 _{O 3} component 0 10.0% and / or _Y 2 _{O 3} component from 0 to 10.0% and / or _La 2 _{O 3} component from 0 to 10.0% and / or _Gd 2 _{O 3} component from 0 to 10.0% and / or Yb ₂ O ₃ component 0 to 10.0% and / or ZrO ₂ component 0 to 15.0% and / or Ta ₂ O ₅ component 0 to 15.0% and / or WO ₃ component 0 to 15.0% and / or TeO ₂ component from 0 to 10.0% and / or GeO ₂ component from 0 to 15.0% and / or _Sb 2 _{O 3} component 0 to 1.0%
The optical glass according to any one of (1) to (10), further containing each component of

  (12) A preform for polishing and / or precision press molding comprising the optical glass according to any one of (1) to (11).

  (13) An optical element obtained by polishing the preform described in (12).

  (14) An optical element formed by precision press-molding the preform according to (12).

According to the present invention, the Nb ₂ O ₅ component and the TiO ₂ component are used in combination, and the content ratio of the Nb ₂ O ₅ component and the TiO ₂ component is suppressed within a predetermined range, whereby the Abbe number (ν _d ) is desired. Optical glass that can correct the chromatic aberration of the lens with higher accuracy while being in the range, has high devitrification resistance when the glass is formed from a molten state, and has a wide transmission wavelength range in the visible range, A preform and an optical element using the same can be obtained.

The optical glass of the present invention contains 1.0 to 75.0% of the Nb ₂ O ₅ component and 40.0% or less of the TiO ₂ component in mass% based on the total glass mass of the oxide equivalent composition, It has a partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] of 0.63 or more and 0.69 or less, and an Abbe number (ν _d ) of 15 or more and 27 or less. By using the Nb ₂ O ₅ component and the TiO ₂ component in combination, and suppressing the content ratios of the Nb ₂ O ₅ component and the TiO ₂ component within a predetermined range, the dispersion of the glass falls within a desired range, and the glass portion The dispersion ratio [θg, F] is increased, the liquidus temperature of the glass is lowered, and the wavelength (λ ₅ ) at which the spectral transmittance is 5% is shortened. Therefore, the chromatic aberration of the lens can be corrected with higher accuracy while the Abbe number (ν _d ) is in the range of 15 to 27, and the devitrification resistance when the glass is formed from the molten state. And an optical glass having a wide transmission wavelength range in the visible range can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the optical glass of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and may be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope of the object of the present invention. be able to. In addition, although description may be abbreviate | omitted suitably about the location where description overlaps, the meaning of invention is not limited.

[Glass component]
The composition range of each component constituting the optical glass of the present invention is described below. In the present specification, unless otherwise specified, the content of each component is expressed in mass% with respect to the total mass of the glass in terms of oxide. Here, the “oxide equivalent composition” means that the oxide, composite salt, metal fluoride, etc. used as the raw material of the glass component of the present invention are all decomposed and changed into oxides when melted. It is the composition which described each component contained in glass by making the total mass of the said production | generation oxide into 100 mass%.

<About essential and optional components>
Nb ₂ O ₅ component increases the refractive index and dispersion of the glass and is a component to increase chemical durability of the glass. In particular, the desired refractive index and dispersion of the glass can be easily obtained by setting the content of the Nb ₂ O ₅ component to 1.0% or more. Further, by setting the content of _Nb 2 _{O 5} component below 75.0%, it is possible to improve the devitrification resistance of the glass. Therefore, the content of the Nb ₂ O ₅ component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 1.0%, more preferably 2.0%, and most preferably 5.0% as the lower limit, preferably 75. 0.0%, more preferably 70.0%, and most preferably 65.0%. The Nb ₂ O ₅ component can be contained in the glass using, for example, Nb ₂ O ₅ as a raw material.

The TiO ₂ component is a component that increases the refractive index and dispersion of the glass and increases the chemical durability of the glass. In particular, by setting the content of the TiO ₂ component to 40.0% or less, the devitrification resistance of the glass can be increased, and the transmission wavelength range in the visible range of the glass can be widened. Therefore, the content of the TiO ₂ component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 40.0%, more preferably 35.0%, and most preferably 30.0%. Note that even without containing TiO ₂ component, although it is possible to produce an optical glass having desired optical properties, by the content of TiO ₂ component above 1.0%, the desired refractive index of the glass Can be easily obtained. Accordingly, the content of the TiO ₂ component is preferably more than 0%, more preferably 1.0%, and most preferably 5.0%. TiO ₂ component may be contained in the glass by using as the starting material for example TiO ₂ or the like.

In the optical glass of the present invention, the mass sum of the contents of the Nb ₂ O ₅ component and the TiO ₂ component is preferably 40.0% or more. By making this mass sum 40.0% or more, the stability of the glass can be enhanced while facilitating the formation of the glass. Therefore, the lower limit of this mass sum (Nb ₂ O ₅ + TiO ₂ ) is preferably 40.0%, more preferably 45.0%, and most preferably 49.0%.

The Bi ₂ O ₃ component is a component that increases the partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] of the glass, increases the refractive index of the glass, and decreases the glass transition point (Tg), and is an optional component in the optical glass of the present invention. . In particular, by making the content of the Bi ₂ O ₃ component 50.0% or less, glass formation can be made easier and the transmission wavelength range in the visible range of the glass can be expanded. Accordingly, the content of the Bi ₂ O ₃ component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 50.0%, more preferably 40.0%, and most preferably 30.0%. The Bi ₂ O ₃ component can be contained in the glass using, for example, Bi ₂ O ₃ as a raw material.

In the optical glass of the present invention, _Nb 2 _{O 5} component is preferably TiO ₂ component, and the mass sum of the content of _Bi 2 _{O 3} component is 40.0% or more. By making this mass sum 40.0% or more, the partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] can be further increased, and an optical glass having a desired partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] can be easily obtained. Therefore, this mass sum (Nb ₂ O ₅ + TiO ₂ + Bi ₂ O ₃ ) is preferably 40.0%, more preferably 50.0%, and most preferably 64.0%.

The P ₂ O ₅ component is a component that constitutes a glass network, is a component that lowers the glass transition point (Tg) and widens the transmission wavelength range in the visible range, and is an optional component in the optical glass of the present invention. is there. In particular, by setting the content ratio of the P ₂ O ₅ component to 30.0% or less, it is possible to make it difficult to lower the partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] of the glass. Accordingly, the content of the P ₂ O ₅ component with respect to the total amount of glass in the oxide conversion composition is preferably 30.0%, more preferably 22.9%, and most preferably 22.6%. The P ₂ O ₅ component can be contained in the glass using, for example, Al (PO ₃ ) ₃ , Ca (PO ₃ ) ₂ , Ba (PO ₃ ) ₂ , BPO ₄ , H ₃ PO ₄ or the like as a raw material. .

The MgO component is a component that lowers the liquidus temperature of the glass and increases the devitrification resistance of the glass, and is an optional component in the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, the refractive index and dispersion | distribution of glass can be raised by making the content rate of a MgO component into 25.0% or less. Therefore, the content of the MgO component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 25.0%, more preferably 20.0%, and most preferably 15.0%. The MgO component can be contained in the glass using, for example, MgCO ₃ or MgF ₂ as a raw material.

The CaO component is a component that lowers the liquidus temperature of the glass and increases the devitrification resistance of the glass, and is an optional component in the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, the refractive index and dispersion | distribution of glass can be improved by making the content rate of a CaO component into 25.0% or less. Therefore, the content of the CaO component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 25.0%, more preferably 20.0%, and most preferably 15.0%. The CaO component can be contained in the glass using, for example, CaCO ₃ , CaF ₂ or the like as a raw material.

The SrO component is a component that lowers the liquidus temperature of the glass and increases the devitrification resistance of the glass, and is an optional component in the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, by setting the content of the SrO component to 25.0% or less, a desired partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] can be easily obtained, and the refractive index and dispersion of the glass can be increased. Therefore, the content of the SrO component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 25.0%, more preferably 20.0%, and most preferably 15.0%. The SrO component can be contained in the glass using, for example, Sr (NO ₃ ) ₂ , SrF ₂ or the like as a raw material.

The BaO component is a component that increases the refractive index and dispersion of the glass, and is an optional component in the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, by setting the content of the BaO component to 25.0% or less, the specific gravity of the glass can be increased, and a desired partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] can be easily obtained. Therefore, the content of the BaO component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide-converted composition is preferably 25.0%, more preferably 20.0%, and most preferably 15.0%. The BaO component can be contained in the glass using, for example, BaCO ₃ , Ba (NO ₃ ) ₂ or the like as a raw material.

The ZnO component is a component that lowers the liquidus temperature of the glass and increases the devitrification resistance of the glass, and is an optional component in the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, by setting the content of the ZnO component to 25.0% or less, a desired partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] can be easily obtained, and the refractive index and dispersion of the glass can be increased. Accordingly, the content of the ZnO component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide-converted composition is preferably 25.0%, more preferably 20.0%, and most preferably 15.0%. The ZnO component can be contained in the glass using, for example, ZnO, ZnF ₂ or the like as a raw material.

In the optical glass of the present invention, the mass sum of the content of the RO component (wherein Rn is one or more selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn) is 30.0% or less. Is preferred. By making this mass sum 30.0% or less, the desired partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] and Abbe number (ν _d ) can be easily obtained, and the chemical durability of the glass can be enhanced. Accordingly, the upper limit of the mass sum of the RO component content is preferably 30.0%, more preferably 25.0%, and most preferably 20.0%. Although it is possible to achieve the desired optical characteristics in the present invention even if the RO component is not contained, by containing the RO component, the devitrification resistance of the glass is increased and the glass transition point (Tg) is increased. Can be lowered. Accordingly, the mass sum of the content of the RO component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably more than 0%, more preferably 1.0%, and most preferably 5.0%.

The Li ₂ O component is a component that lowers the glass transition point (Tg) and lowers the liquidus temperature of the glass, and is an optional component in the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, by setting the content of the Li ₂ O component to 10.0% or less, the milky white and crystal precipitation of the glass when the glass is heat-softened can be reduced. Therefore, the content of the Li ₂ O component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide-converted composition is preferably 10.0%, more preferably 7.0%, and most preferably 5.0%. The Li ₂ O component can be contained in the glass using, for example, Li ₂ CO ₃ , LiNO ₃ , LiF or the like as a raw material.

The Na ₂ O component is a component that lowers the glass transition point (Tg) and lowers the liquidus temperature of the glass, and is an optional component in the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, by making the content of the Na ₂ O component 20.0% or less, the desired refractive index and dispersion can be easily obtained, and the chemical durability of the glass can be enhanced. Therefore, the content of the Na ₂ O component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 20.0%, more preferably 17.0%, and most preferably 15.0%. In the present invention, it is possible to produce a glass having desired optical characteristics without containing a Na ₂ O component, but by containing a Na ₂ O component, a partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] and Adjustment of the Abbe number (ν _d ) can be facilitated. Therefore, the content of the Na ₂ O component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably more than 0%, more preferably 1.0%, and most preferably 5.0%. The Na ₂ O component can be contained in the glass using, for example, Na ₂ CO ₃ , NaNO ₃ , NaF, Na ₂ SiF ₆ or the like as a raw material.

The K ₂ O component is a component that lowers the glass transition point (Tg), lowers the liquidus temperature of the glass, and adjusts the partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] and the Abbe number (ν _d ). The optical glass of the present invention It is an optional component. In particular, by setting the content of the K ₂ O component to 10.0% or less, a desired refractive index and Abbe number can be easily realized. Therefore, the content of the K ₂ O component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 10.0%, more preferably 7.0%, and most preferably 5.0%. The K ₂ O component can be contained in the glass using, for example, K ₂ CO ₃ , KNO ₃ , KF, KHF ₂ , K ₂ SiF ₆ or the like as a raw material.

The Cs ₂ O component is a component that lowers the glass transition point (Tg), lowers the liquidus temperature of the glass, and adjusts the partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] and the Abbe number (ν _d ). It is an optional component. In particular, by setting the content of the Cs ₂ O component to 10.0% or less, a desired refractive index and Abbe number can be easily realized. Therefore, the content of the Cs ₂ O component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide-converted composition is preferably 10.0%, more preferably 7.0%, and most preferably 5.0%. Cs ₂ O component may be contained in the glass by using as the starting material for example _Cs 2 _{CO 3,} CsNO 3, and the like.

In the optical glass of the present invention, the mass sum of the content ratio of the Rn ₂ O component (wherein R is one or more selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, and Cs) is 20.0% or less. It is preferable. By making this mass sum 20.0% or less, the desired partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] and Abbe number [νd] can be easily realized, and the chemical durability of the glass can be enhanced. Therefore, the mass sum of the content ratio of the Rn ₂ O component in the oxide conversion composition is preferably 20.0%, more preferably 17.0%, and most preferably 15.0%. In the present invention, it is possible to produce a glass having desired optical properties without containing Rn 2 _O component, by containing a Rn 2 _O component, glass transition temperature (Tg) lower The liquidus temperature of the glass can be lowered. Therefore, the mass sum of the content ratio of the Rn ₂ O component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably more than 0%, more preferably 1.0%, and most preferably 5.0%.

The SiO ₂ component is a component that broadens the transmission wavelength range of the glass in the visible range and increases the devitrification resistance of the glass, and is an optional component in the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, when the content of the SiO ₂ component is 10.0% or less, the partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] of the glass is hardly lowered, and the refractive index of the glass is hardly lowered. Accordingly, the content of the SiO ₂ component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 10.0%, more preferably 7.0%, and most preferably 5.0%. SiO ₂ component may be contained in the glass by using as a raw material such as _{SiO 2, K 2 SiF 6,} Na 2 SiF 6 or the like.

The B ₂ O ₃ component is a component that maintains a high partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] of the glass, improves the devitrification resistance of the glass, and lowers the glass transition point (Tg). In the optical glass of the present invention, Is an optional component. In particular, by setting the content of the B ₂ O ₃ component to 10.0% or less, milky white and crystal precipitation after the glass is heat-softened can be reduced. Therefore, the content of the B ₂ O ₃ component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 10.0%, more preferably 7.0%, and most preferably 5.0%. The B ₂ O ₃ component can be contained in the glass using, for example, H ₃ BO ₃ , Na ₂ B ₄ O ₇ , Na ₂ B ₄ O ₇ .10H ₂ O, BPO ₄ or the like as a raw material.

The Al ₂ O ₃ component is a component that increases the chemical durability of the glass and increases the viscosity of the molten glass, and is an optional component in the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, by making the content of the Al ₂ O ₃ component 10.0% or less, it is possible to improve the meltability and devitrification resistance of the glass. Accordingly, the content of the Al ₂ O ₃ component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide-converted composition is preferably 10.0%, more preferably 7.0%, and most preferably 5.0%. The Al ₂ O ₃ component can be contained in the glass using, for example, Al ₂ O ₃ , Al (OH) ₃ , AlF ₃ or the like as a raw material.

Y ₂ O ₃ component increases the refractive index of the glass, or to enhance the chemical durability of the glass, an optional component of the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, by setting the content of the Y ₂ O ₃ component to 10.0% or less, it is possible to make it difficult to reduce the devitrification resistance of the glass. Therefore, the content of the Y ₂ O ₃ component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 10.0%, more preferably 7.0%, and most preferably 5.0%. The Y ₂ O ₃ component can be contained in the glass using, for example, Y ₂ O ₃ , YF ₃ or the like as a raw material.

La ₂ O ₃ component increases the refractive index of the glass, or to enhance the chemical durability of the glass, an optional component of the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, by setting the content of the La ₂ O ₃ component to 10.0% or less, it is possible to make it difficult to reduce the devitrification resistance of the glass. Therefore, the content of the La ₂ O ₃ component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 10.0%, more preferably 7.0%, and most preferably 5.0%. The La ₂ O ₃ component can be contained in the glass using, for example, La ₂ O ₃ , La (NO ₃ ) ₃ .XH ₂ O (X is an arbitrary integer) or the like as a raw material.

The Gd ₂ O ₃ component is a component that increases the refractive index of the glass and increases the chemical durability of the glass, and is an optional component in the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, by setting the content of the Gd ₂ O ₃ component to 10.0% or less, it is possible to make it difficult to reduce the devitrification resistance of the glass. Therefore, the content of the Gd ₂ O ₃ component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 10.0%, more preferably 7.0%, and most preferably 5.0%. The Gd ₂ O ₃ component can be contained in the glass using, for example, Gd ₂ O ₃ , GdF ₃ or the like as a raw material.

Yb ₂ O ₃ component increases the refractive index of the glass, or to enhance the chemical durability of the glass, an optional component of the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, by setting the content of the Yb ₂ O ₃ component to 10.0% or less, it is possible to make it difficult to reduce the devitrification resistance of the glass. Therefore, the content of the Yb ₂ O ₃ component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 10.0%, more preferably 7.0%, and most preferably 5.0%. The Yb ₂ O ₃ component can be contained in the glass using, for example, Yb ₂ O ₃ as a raw material.

The ZrO ₂ component is a component that widens the transmission wavelength range of the glass in the visible range and increases the devitrification resistance of the glass, and is an optional component in the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, by setting the content of the ZrO ₂ component below 15.0% it can be difficult to lower the refractive index of the glass. Therefore, the content of the ZrO ₂ component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 15.0%, more preferably 12.0%, and most preferably 10.0%. The ZrO ₂ component can be contained in the glass using, for example, ZrO ₂ , ZrF ₄ or the like as a raw material.

Ta ₂ O ₅ component is a component that raises the refractive index of the glass, an optional component of the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, by setting the content of Ta ₂ O ₅ component below 15.0%, it is possible to reduce the devitrification occurs when cooling the molten glass. Therefore, the content of the Ta ₂ O ₅ component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 15.0%, more preferably 12.0%, and most preferably 10.0%. The Ta ₂ O ₅ component can be contained in the glass using, for example, Ta ₂ O ₅ as a raw material.

The WO ₃ component is a component that increases the refractive index of the glass and suppresses the occurrence of devitrification when the molten glass is cooled, and is an optional component in the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, by setting the content of WO ₃ components below 15.0%, it is possible to improve the devitrification resistance of the glass. Accordingly, the content of the WO ₃ component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 15.0%, more preferably 12.0%, and most preferably 10.0%. The WO ₃ component can be contained in the glass using, for example, WO ₃ as a raw material.

TeO ₂ component is a component that raises the refractive index of the glass, an optional component of the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, by setting the content of the TeO ₂ component to 10.0% or less, it is possible to widen the transmission wavelength range in the visible region of the glass and promote the clarification of the glass melt. Accordingly, the content of the TeO ₂ component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 10.0%, more preferably 7.0%, and most preferably 5.0%. The TeO ₂ component can be contained in the glass using, for example, TeO ₂ as a raw material.

The GeO ₂ component is a component that increases the refractive index of the glass and is an optional component in the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, by setting the content of the GeO ₂ component below 15.0%, it is possible to reduce the material cost of the glass. Therefore, the content of the GeO ₂ component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 15.0%, more preferably 12.0%, and most preferably 10.0%. The GeO ₂ component can be contained in the glass using, for example, GeO ₂ as a raw material.

The Sb ₂ O ₃ component is a component that facilitates defoaming of the glass to easily obtain a clear glass, and is an optional component in the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, by setting the content of the Sb ₂ O ₃ component to 1.0% or less, excessive foaming at the time of melting the glass can be prevented, and the Sb ₂ O ₃ component can be dissolved in a melting facility (particularly a precious metal such as Pt). ) And alloying can be made difficult. Accordingly, the content of the Sb ₂ O ₃ component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide-converted composition is preferably 1.0%, more preferably 0.7%, and most preferably 0.5%. The Sb ₂ O ₃ component can be contained in the glass using, for example, Sb ₂ O ₃ , Sb ₂ O ₅ , Na ₂ H ₂ Sb ₂ O ₇ · 5H ₂ O, or the like as a raw material.

Incidentally, components defoamed fining glass is not limited to the above Sb ₂ O ₃ component, a known refining agents in the field of glass production, it is possible to use a defoamer or a combination thereof.

  The F component is a component that has the effect of increasing the meltability of the glass and the effect of increasing the Abbe number, and is an optional component in the optical glass of the present invention. In particular, as F of the fluoride substituted with one or two or more oxides of each of the above-described elements, the total amount of 5.0% by mass is contained as an upper limit, thereby obtaining a desired optical constant. Can be easily achieved, the internal quality of the glass can be improved, and the devitrification inside the glass when heated and softened can be reduced. Therefore, the content of the F component with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is preferably 5.0%, more preferably 4.5%, and most preferably 4.0%. In the introduction of the various oxides described above, the F component is introduced into the glass when the raw material form is introduced as a fluoride.

  In the present specification, the notation “the total amount as F of the fluoride substituted for one or more oxides of one or more of each element” representing the content of the F component refers to the glass of the present invention. Assuming that oxides, composite salts, metal fluorides, etc. used as raw materials for the constituent components are all decomposed and changed to oxides during melting, the amount of F atoms actually contained with respect to the total mass of the generated oxides The mass is expressed as a mass percentage.

<About ingredients that should not be included>
Next, components that should not be contained in the optical glass of the present invention and components that are not preferably contained will be described.

  If necessary, other components can be added to the optical glass of the present invention as long as the properties of the glass of the present invention are not impaired.

  However, the transition metal components such as V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ag and Mo, excluding Ti, are colored in the visible region even when they are contained individually or in combination and in small amounts. It has the property of causing absorption at specific wavelengths. Accordingly, it is preferable that the optical glass that uses a wavelength in the visible region is not substantially contained. Here, “substantially free” means that it is not contained artificially unless it is mixed as an impurity.

  The Th component can be contained for the purpose of increasing the refractive index or the stability of the glass, and the Cd and Tl components can be contained for the purpose of reducing the Tg. However, each component of Th, Cd, Tl, Os, Be, and Se has a tendency to refrain from being used as a harmful chemical material in recent years, leading to not only the glass manufacturing process but also the processing process and disposal after commercialization. Until then, environmental measures are required. Therefore, when importance is placed on the environmental impact, it is preferable not to substantially contain them except for inevitable mixing.

  In addition, lead compounds such as PbO need to take measures for environmental measures when manufacturing, processing, and disposing of glass, and the manufacturing cost also increases. Therefore, the lead compound should be contained in the glass of the present invention. Not.

Furthermore, an arsenic compound such as As ₂ O ₃ is a component used to improve bubble breakage (defoaming properties) when melting glass, but the environment when manufacturing, processing, and discarding glass. Since it is necessary to take measures on measures, it is not preferable to contain an arsenic compound in the glass of the present invention.

The glass composition of the present invention cannot be expressed directly in the description of mol% because the composition is expressed by mass% with respect to the total mass of the glass of oxide conversion composition, but various properties required in the present invention. The composition expressed by mol% of each component present in the glass composition satisfying the above conditions generally takes the following values in terms of oxide conversion.
Nb ₂ O ₅ component 0.5-45.0% and TiO ₂ component 2.0-60.0%
And Bi ₂ O ₃ component 0 to 17.0% and / or P ₂ O ₅ component 0 to 25.0% and / or MgO component 0 to 60.0% and / or CaO component 0 to 50.0% and / or or SrO component from 0 to 40.0% and / or BaO component from 0 to 25.0% and / or ZnO component from 0 to 40.0% and / or Li ₂ O component from 0 to 40.0% and / or _Na 2 O components from 0 to 45.0% and / or 0 to 15.0% _{K 2} O component and / or Cs ₂ O component from 0 to 12.0% and / or SiO ₂ component from 0 to 25.0% and / or _{B 2} O ₃ component 0 to 25.0% and / or Al ₂ O ₃ component 0 to 15.0% and / or Y ₂ O ₃ component 0 to 7.0% and / or La ₂ O ₃ component 0 to 7.0 % and / or _Gd 2 _{O 3} component from 0 to 7.0% and / or _Yb 2 _{O 3} component from 0 to 7.0 And / or ZrO ₂ component from 0 to 17.0% and / or _Ta 2 _{O 5} component from 0 to 5.0% and / or WO ₃ components 0 to 7.0% and / or TeO ₂ component from 0 to 10.0% And / or GeO ₂ component 0 to 20.0% and / or Sb ₂ O ₃ component 0 to 0.5%

[Production method]
The optical glass of the present invention is produced, for example, as follows. That is, the above raw materials are uniformly mixed so that each component is within a predetermined content range, and the prepared mixture is put into a platinum crucible, a quartz crucible or an alumina crucible and roughly melted, then a gold crucible, a platinum crucible In a platinum alloy crucible or iridium crucible, melt in a temperature range of 1100 to 1350 ° C. for 3 to 4 hours, stir and homogenize, blow out bubbles, etc., then lower the temperature to 1200 ° C. or lower, and perform final stirring It is manufactured by removing the striae, casting into a mold and slow cooling.

[Physical properties]
The optical glass of the present invention needs to have a desired dispersion (Abbe number). In particular, the Abbe number (ν _d ) of the optical glass of the present invention is preferably 15, more preferably 16, most preferably 17, the lower limit, preferably 27, more preferably 23, most preferably 20, the upper limit. . Thereby, the freedom degree of an optical design when the optical glass of this invention is used for an optical element can be expanded significantly.

  Further, the optical glass of the present invention needs to have a high partial dispersion ratio [θg, F]. In particular, the partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] of the optical glass of the present invention is preferably 0.63, more preferably 0.635, most preferably 0.64, and preferably 0.69, more preferably The upper limit is 0.68, and most preferably 0.67. Thereby, the chromatic aberration of the lens in an optical apparatus can be corrected with higher accuracy.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the optical glass of this invention has high devitrification resistance when glass is formed from a molten state. More specifically, the upper limit of the liquidus temperature of the optical glass of the present invention is preferably 1250 ° C, more preferably 1200 ° C, and most preferably 1150 ° C. Thereby, even if the molten glass flows out at a lower temperature, the crystallization of the produced glass is reduced, so that the influence on the optical characteristics of the optical element using the glass can be reduced. In this specification, “liquid phase temperature” means that a crushed glass sample is placed on a platinum plate, held in a furnace with a temperature gradient for 30 minutes, taken out, cooled, and the presence or absence of crystals in the glass. Is the lowest temperature at which no crystal is observed and devitrification does not occur.

Further, the optical glass of the present invention needs to have a wide transmission wavelength range in the visible range. In particular, in the optical glass of the present invention, a wavelength (λ ₅ ) showing a spectral transmittance of 5% in a sample having a thickness of 10 mm is 430 nm or less, more preferably 420 nm or less, and most preferably 410 nm or less. Thereby, since the transmission wavelength range in the visible region is expanded, this optical glass can be used as a material for an optical element such as a lens.

  In addition to the optical properties required for optical glass, the optical glass of the present invention has mechanical properties, chemical durability, thermal properties, mass productivity, residual foam of a melt-molded product, and reheating time. The devitrification property has good physical property values.

  The degree of wear, which is a mechanical property of optical glass, is a physical property that is used as an index of workability of optical glass. The value of the degree of abrasion is measured by a measuring method according to “Japan Optical Glass Industry Association Standard JOGIS 10-1994 Measuring Method of Abrasion Level of Optical Glass”. The value of the degree of wear in the optical glass of the present invention is preferably 400 or less, more preferably 350 or less, and most preferably 300 or less.

  The chemical durability of optical glass is a physical property that is an index of the workability and environmental resistance of optical glass. If the chemical durability class is too large, the optical glass has poor workability and environmental resistance. Arise. The glass of the present invention is measured by a measuring method according to “Japan Optical Glass Industry Association Standard JOGIS06-1999 Optical Glass Chemical Durability Measuring Method (Powder Method)”. The acid resistance and water resistance of the optical glass of the present invention is preferably class 5 or less, and most preferably class 4 or less.

  The thermal characteristics of the optical glass are physical properties that are used as indicators of the thermal shock resistance of the optical glass and the moldability during mold press molding. Among these, when the glass transition point (Tg) is low, the mold press molding can be performed at a low temperature, the energy can be reduced, and the lifetime of an expensive mold can be extended. Moreover, when the thermal expansion coefficient (α) is small, it is possible to make the glass difficult to break when the glass is heated. The optical glass of the present invention has a glass transition point (Tg) and a coefficient of thermal expansion (α) measured by a measuring method according to “Japan Optical Glass Industry Association Standard JOGIS08-2003 Method for Measuring Thermal Expansion of Optical Glass”. . The glass transition point (Tg) and the coefficient of thermal expansion (α) are preferably such that the glass transition point (Tg) is 700 ° C. or less and the thermal expansion coefficient (α) is 130 or less, more preferably the glass transition point ( Tg) is 680 ° C. or lower, and the thermal expansion coefficient (α) is 120 or lower, most preferably the glass transition point (Tg) is 650 ° C. or lower, and the thermal expansion coefficient (α) is 110 or lower.

  Moreover, the liquid phase temperature of the above-mentioned optical glass and the viscosity at the liquid phase temperature are physical properties that are used as indicators of glass melt molding during mass production. Among these, when the viscosity at the liquidus temperature of the optical glass is high, it can be molded in a viscosity range suitable for the molding of the optical glass, but when this viscosity is low, the molding of the optical glass becomes difficult, and the glass surface and the inside Foreign matter will be generated. The viscosity at the liquidus temperature of the optical glass of the present invention is preferably 0.20 Pa · s or more, preferably 0.25 Pa · s or more, and most preferably 0.30 Pa · s or more. The viscosity value is obtained from the viscosity η (Pa · s) by a ball pulling-up type viscometer (model number BVM-13LH manufactured by Opt Enterprise Co., Ltd.).

  The residual foam of the melt-molded product of the optical glass is a physical property that is used as an index for evaluating the clarity of the optical glass. Since there are few residual bubbles and the bubble class is small, the clarity of the optical glass is good, so that the optical glass can be easily mass-produced. In the measuring method according to “JOGIS12-1994 Optical Glass Foam Measuring Method”, the optical glass foam of the present invention is preferably in the 4th to 1st class, and more preferably in the 3rd to 1st class.

  The devitrification property at the time of reheating the optical glass is an important index in a reheating step in the manufacturing process, for example, a step of precision press molding or reheat press molding. If the devitrification at the time of reheating is low, devitrification is less likely to occur inside the optical glass even in the reheating step of the manufacturing process. In the glass of the present invention, it is preferable that devitrification does not precipitate inside the glass when the reheating test is performed (reheating test: test piece 15 mm × 15 mm × 30 mm is reheated, and the glass transition of the optical glass is performed. The temperature is kept for 30 minutes at a temperature 80 ° C. higher than the point (Tg), then cooled to room temperature, and two opposing surfaces of the test piece are polished to a thickness of 10 mm and visually observed).

[Preforms and optical elements]
The optical glass of the present invention is useful for various optical elements, typically lenses, prisms, and mirrors. Among them, a preform is formed from the optical glass of the present invention, and the preform is formed on the preform. On the other hand, it is preferable to produce an optical element by means of precision press molding or polishing. Thereby, the optical element which has a desired optical characteristic from the optical glass of this invention can be manufactured efficiently. Here, the method for producing the preform material is not particularly limited. For example, a glass gob forming method described in JP-A-8-319124 and an optical glass manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus described in JP-A-8-73229 are disclosed. Thus, a method of manufacturing a preform material directly from molten glass can also be used, and a method of manufacturing by performing cold processing such as grinding and polishing on a strip material formed from optical glass can also be used.

Composition of Examples (No. 1 to No. 5) and Reference Example (No. 1) of the present invention, and the refractive index (n _d ), Abbe number (ν _d ), partial dispersion ratio [θg] of these glasses , F], and the wavelength (λ ₅ ) at which the spectral transmittance is 5% are shown in Table 1. The following examples are merely for illustrative purposes, and are not limited to these examples.

  The optical glass of Examples (No. 1 to No. 5) of the present invention and the glass of Reference Example (No. 1) are all oxides, hydroxides, carbonates and nitrates corresponding to the raw materials of the respective components. Select high-purity raw materials used in ordinary optical glass such as fluoride, hydroxide, metaphosphoric acid compounds, etc., so that the composition ratios of the examples and reference examples shown in Tables 1 and 2 are obtained. After the raw materials are weighed and mixed uniformly, they are put into a quartz crucible or a gold crucible, and melted in a temperature range of 1100 to 1350 ° C. for 2 to 3 hours in accordance with the melting difficulty of the glass composition, and homogenized with stirring. After the foam was blown out, the temperature was lowered to about 1000 to 850 ° C., kept for about 1 hour, stirred and homogenized, cast into a mold, and slowly cooled to produce glass.

Here, the refractive index (n _d ), Abbe number (ν _d ), and partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] of the optical glass of Example (No. 1 to No. 5) and the glass of Reference Example (No. 1) ] Was measured based on Japan Optical Glass Industry Association Standard JOGIS01-2003. The glass used in this measurement was annealed under a slow cooling furnace with a slow cooling rate of −25 ° C./hr.

Moreover, about the transmission wavelength range in the visible region of the optical glass of an Example (No.1-No.5) and the glass of a reference example (No.1), according to Japan Optical Glass Industry Association Standard JOGIS02, reflection loss The absorption edge of the glass was determined by measuring the spectral transmittance of the glass containing. Specifically, a face parallel polished product having a thickness of 10 ± 0.1 mm is measured for a spectral transmittance of 200 to 800 nm according to JISZ8722, and the value of λ ₅ (wavelength when the transmittance is 5%) is absorbed by the glass. The end value was used.

  As shown in Table 1, all of the optical glasses of the examples of the present invention have a partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] of 0.63 or more, more specifically 0.64 or more, and this partial dispersion. The ratio [θg, F] was 0.69 or less, more specifically 0.66 or less, and was within the desired range. For this reason, it became clear that the optical glass of the Example of this invention has a high partial dispersion ratio [(theta) g, F].

  In addition, in the optical glasses of the examples of the present invention, devitrification and / or opacification did not occur when the glass was formed from a molten state. For this reason, it became clear that the optical glass of the Example of this invention has high devitrification resistance when glass is formed from a molten state.

In general, when the optical glass is increased to a partial dispersion ratio [θg, F], the transmission wavelength range in the visible region tends to be narrowed, and it is difficult to produce an optical glass in which these are compatible. However, as shown in Table 1, all of the optical glasses according to the examples of the present invention have a partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] of 0.63 or more, and λ ₅ (wavelength when the transmittance is 5%). ) Was 430 nm or less, more specifically, 405 nm or less. For this reason, it has been clarified that the optical glass of the example of the present invention achieves both a high partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] and a wide transmission wavelength range in the visible range.

The optical glasses of the examples of the present invention all have an Abbe number (ν _d ) of 15 or more, more specifically 17 or more, and this Abbe number (ν _d ) of 27 or less, more specifically 20 And within the desired range.

The optical glasses of the examples of the present invention all have a refractive index (n _d ) of 1.90 or more, more specifically 1.93 or more, and this refractive index (n _d ) is 2.00 or less. More specifically, it was 1.98 or less.

Therefore, in the optical glass of the embodiment of the present invention, the chromatic aberration of the lens can be corrected with higher accuracy while the Abbe number (ν _d ) is within a desired range, and the transmission wavelength range in the visible range is wide. It was revealed.

  Furthermore, using the optical glass of the example of the present invention, after forming a preform for polishing, grinding and polishing were performed to form lenses and prisms. In addition, a precision press-molding preform was formed using the optical glass of the example of the present invention, and the precision press-molding preform was precision press-molded into a lens and a prism. In either case, it could be processed into various lens and prism shapes.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, this embodiment is only for the purpose of illustration, and many modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Will be understood.

It is a figure which shows the normal line by which partial dispersion ratio [(theta) g, F] is represented by the orthogonal coordinate of a vertical axis | shaft, and Abbe number ((nu) _d ) on a horizontal axis.

Claims (14)

It contains 1.0 to 75.0% of Nb ₂ O ₅ component and 40.0% or less of TiO ₂ component in mass% with respect to the total mass of the oxide-converted composition, and is 0.63 or more and 0.69. An optical glass having the following partial dispersion ratio [θg, F] and having an Abbe number (ν _d ) of 15 or more and 27 or less. The optical glass according to claim 1 containing 1.0 to 40.0% of a TiO ₂ component. 3. The optical glass according to claim 1, wherein a mass sum (Nb ₂ O ₅ + TiO ₂ ) with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is 40.0% or more. Terms of oxides entire mass of the glass composition,% by mass _Bi 2 _{O 3} component from 0 to 50.0% further one optical glass according to claims 1 3 of containing. _5. The optical glass according to claim 4, wherein a mass sum (Nb ₂ O ₅ + TiO ₂ + Bi ₂ O ₃ ) with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide equivalent composition is 40.0% or more. The entire mass of the glass in terms of oxide composition, by mass% with _P 2 _{O 5} ingredient from 0 to 30.0% further any description of the optical glass of claims 1 to 5 containing. MgO component 0 to 25.0% and / or CaO component 0 to 25.0% and / or SrO component 0 to 25.0% and / or BaO component in mass% with respect to the total mass of the glass in oxide conversion composition 0-25.0% and / or ZnO component 0-25.0%
The optical glass according to claim 1, further comprising:   The optical glass according to claim 7, wherein a mass sum (MgO + CaO + SrO + BaO + ZnO) with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is 30.0% or less. Li ₂ O component 0 to 10.0% and / or Na ₂ O component 0 to 20.0% and / or K ₂ O component 0 to 10.0 by mass% with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide equivalent composition. % and / or Cs ₂ O component from 0 to 10.0%
The optical glass according to claim 1, further comprising: The optical glass according to claim 9, wherein a mass sum (Li ₂ O + Na ₂ O + K ₂ O + Cs ₂ O) with respect to the total glass mass of the oxide conversion composition is 20.0% or less. SiO ₂ component 0 to 10.0% and / or B ₂ O ₃ component 0 to 10.0% and / or Al ₂ O ₃ component 0 to 10. 0% and / or Y ₂ O ₃ component 0 to 10.0% and / or La ₂ O ₃ component 0 to 10.0% and / or Gd ₂ O ₃ component 0 to 10.0% and / or Yb ₂ O ₃ components 0 to 10.0% and / or ZrO ₂ components 0 to 15.0% and / or Ta ₂ O ₅ components 0 to 15.0% and / or WO ₃ components 0 to 15.0% and / or TeO ₂ components 0 to 10.0% and / or GeO ₂ components 0 to 15.0% and / or Sb ₂ O ₃ components 0 to 1.0%
The optical glass according to claim 1, further comprising:   A preform for polishing and / or precision press molding comprising the optical glass according to claim 1.   An optical element obtained by polishing the preform according to claim 12.   An optical element formed by precision press-molding the preform according to claim 12.

Images