Surface nitrogen doping of optical glasses (a review)

The need is demonstrated for improvement in the service properties of the surfaces of optical components fabricated from chemically unstable glasses. A number of solid and gaseous reagents are proposed for surface nitrogen doping of optical glasses and the requirements they should meet are defined. The process variables involved in the nitrogen doping of glass at temperatures belowt _g are examined. The service properties of lead-containing, phosphate and borate glasses with a nitrogen-doped surface are listed. Translated from Steklo i Keramika, No. 1, pp. 6–8, January, 1997.