«Shvabe» increases production of oxygen-free glass

The production of oxygen-free optical glasses for infrared technology was resumed last year by the research and production site of the Shvabe holding of Rostec State Corporation in St. Petersburg. The products are manufactured for the needs of the Russian industry.

In contrast to oxide, oxygen-free optical glass is synthesized without access to O2. The product is characterized by high transparency in the infrared region of the spectrum and is used in thermal imaging devices. Due to the increased demand for chalcogenide glasses, the annual demand in Russia is 80–100 kg.

Laboratory production and production within the Shvabe holding is provided by the Research and Production Association State Optical Institute named after SI Vavilov ”(NPO GOI named after SI Vavilov). The enterprise remains the only manufacturer in the country.

“The production facilities of the enterprise allow to fully cover the demand of the domestic market for oxygen-free glass, replacing foreign analogues. A wide range of changes in optical properties, including the dispersion coefficient, as well as low cost, make it possible to create serious competition for products of Belgian, German, American and other manufacturers, ”noted the general director of NPO GOI im. S. I. Vavilov Konstantin Dukelsky.

The production of chalcogenide oxygen-free optical glasses was resumed in May 2019. Prior to that, since the 90s, production in Russia was suspended.

Source: https://rostec.ru/