INFRARED-TRANSPARENT STRUCTURE INCLUDING AN ADHERENT, INFRARED-TRANSPARENT POLYMER LAYER

摘要

An infrared-transparent structure includes a first infrared-transparent element that is transparent to infrared radiation in the 3.6-7 micrometer wavelength range, preferably coated with a zinc-sulfide antireflective coating, and a layer of a solvent-free, infrared-transparent polymer transparent on the first infrared-transparent element. The polymer is formed of an addition-cured silicone, such as addition-cured dimethyl silicone, and a small amount of an adhesion promoter, such as 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane. The polymer layer may either be a surface layer, or it may be used as an adhesive between the first infrared-transparent element and a second infrared-transparent element.