Far-IR transmitting, cadmium iodide-based glasses

A new class of inorganic halide glasses is described, in which iodide is either the only or the main anion. The glass-formation progenitor is CdI 2 (usually 40–60 mol%); other components used were CsI, KI, TlI, PbI 2, the corresponding bromides, etc. The iodide glasses exhibit remarkably high far-IR-transmittance (down to ∼350 cm −1 for 2 mm thick plates), and a much better resistance to humidity than known chloride glasses; however, their low glass-transition temperatures (10–35°C) lead to relatively poor stability. High lead halide content “marginal” glasses of higher T g(≤63°C) and excellent moisture resistance are briefly described.