NASA SBIR CLEARCERAM-Z

CLEARCERAM®-Z Supports NASA SBIR

Ohara ultra-low expansion glass ceramic selected for advanced lightweight mirror technology developed by EvolvOptic

CCZ Selected for NASA SBIR Lightweight Mirror Development Program

Branchburg, NJ / Sagamihara, Japan – August 1, 2026 — Ohara Corporation and its parent company, Ohara Inc. of Japan, are pleased to recognize the successful use of CLEARCERAM®-Z ultra-low expansion glass ceramic in a recently completed NASA Small Business Innovation Research Phase I program led by EvolvOptic. The program demonstrated a scalable manufacturing approach for lightweight, ultra-stable optical mirrors using CLEARCERAM®-Z for next-generation space, aerospace, defense, and precision optical applications.

Evolvoptic - NASA SBIR Selected CLEARCERAM-Z

Ohara ultra-low expansion glass ceramic selected for advanced lightweight mirror technology developed by EvolvOptic

CLEARCERAM®-Z is melted and supplied in cut blank and block form by Ohara Inc. in Japan, using Ohara’s high homogeneity melting and precise crystallization technology. The material is then supplied to customers and manufacturing partners worldwide, including through Ohara Corporation in the United States, for demanding optical and industrial applications requiring exceptional thermal and dimensional stability. CLEARCERAM™-Z is a glass-ceramic with an ultra-low thermal expansion coefficient, produced under tightly controlled conditions with outstanding thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties.

The NASA SBIR Phase I program focused on the development of ultra-stable, affordable, closed-back mirror solutions for future NASA missions, commercial space systems, directed energy, and defense and intelligence applications. As part of the Phase I effort, EvolvOptic designed and built a 0.4-meter closed-back demonstration mirror using Ohara CLEARCERAM®-Z and advanced bonding technology. 

Clearceram-Z Nasa

The Phase I program demonstrated a 0.4-meter closed-back mirror architecture using Ohara CLEARCERAM®-Z glass ceramic. Credit: EvolvOptic.

For space-based optical systems, dimensional stability is critical. Optical mirrors must maintain precise surface figure and alignment despite changes in temperature, launch environment, and operating conditions. CLEARCERAM®-Z supports these requirements by offering near-zero thermal expansion over a wide temperature range, superior thermal shock resistance, high mechanical performance, and excellent chemical durability.

During the program, EvolvOptic evaluated bonding materials and processes, manufactured bonded glass-ceramic test samples, assessed bond strength, thermal stability, moisture sensitivity, manufacturability, and supply-chain considerations, and designed and built the demonstration mirror for NASA stability testing.

The work also highlighted the potential supply-chain benefits of using ultra-low expansion glass and glass-ceramic materials such as Ohara CLEARCERAM®-Z in combination with U.S.-based precision manufacturing. The internal SBIR summary notes that the approach enables rapid fabrication by U.S.-based small and medium-sized manufacturers, reduces dependence on a limited number of high-cost suppliers, and improves manufacturing flexibility and resilience.

ClearCeram-Z

Ohara CLEARCERAM®-Z is melted and produced by Ohara Inc. in Japan.

CLEARCERAM®-Z has been used in applications including semiconductor stepper components, optical flats, spacers, windows, interferometer components, astronomical telescope mirrors, precision scales, block gauges, and precision equipment platforms. CLEARCERAM®-Z can also be used as an alternative to quartz glass, ceramics, and low thermal expansion alloys for demanding precision applications.

ClearCeram-Z

Ohara CLEARCERAM®-Z supplied in cut blank and block form for precision optical,
aerospace, semiconductor, metrology, and astronomical applications.

Ohara Corporation and Ohara Inc. congratulate EvolvOptic on the successful completion of the NASA SBIR Phase I program and are pleased that CLEARCERAM®-Z contributed to the development of lightweight, thermally stable mirror technology for future advanced optical systems.

About CLEARCERAM®-Z

CLEARCERAM®-Z is Ohara’s ultra-low expansion glass ceramic material developed through high homogeneity melting and precise crystallization technology. It offers near-zero thermal expansion, strong mechanical properties, excellent chemical durability, and stability in demanding optical, semiconductor, aerospace, metrology, and astronomical applications.  

About Ohara Corporation

Ohara Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Ohara Inc., serving customers in North America, South America, and the Middle East with advanced optical glass, glass ceramics, fused silica, polished substrates, and specialty optical materials for aerospace, semiconductor, life science, defense, metrology, and industrial optics applications.

About Ohara Inc.

Ohara Inc., headquartered in Japan, is a global manufacturer of optical glass, specialty glass, and glass ceramic materials. Ohara Inc. develops and manufactures CLEARCERAM™-Z using precision melting and crystallization technology for applications requiring ultra-low thermal expansion and outstanding material stability.

OPTICAL PROPERTIES

2.5 Temperature Coefficient of Refractive Index

Temperature coefficient of refractive index 〔Δn rel/ΔT〕

The refractive index of glass changes with temperature. The amount of change in the refractive index due to temperature changes is expressed as the temperature coefficient of the refractive index, and is defined by Δn / ΔT from the curve showing the relationship between the glass temperature and the refractive index. Δn / ΔT changes depending on the measurement wavelength and temperature range, so the Abbe number also changes with temperature.
There are two ways of showing the temperature coefficient of refractive index; one is the relative coefficient, Δnrel/ΔT (10-6 K-1) measured in dry air (101.3 kPa) at same temperature as the glass, and the other is the absolute coefficient ,Δnabs/ΔT (10-6 K-1) measured under vacuum.

The temperature coefficient of refractive index of each glass type is measured as Δnabs/ΔT according to ISO 6760-1 and from this value the Δnrel/ΔT value normally used in optical design is calculated. The relationship between Δn abs/ΔT and Δn rel/ΔT is given by the following formula.

Formula for temperature coefficient of refractive index of glass

n :Refractive index of glass sample (in air, 25 ° C)

Optical Properties
OPTICAL PROPERTIES

2.7 Internal Transmittance

Internal transmittance 〔 τi（10 mm）〕

“Internal transmittance” refers to the spectral transmittance of the glass itself, not including reflection losses at the optical glass-air interface; it indicates the transparency of the glass. Most optical glasses absorb a substantial amount of light in the near-ultraviolet region. For some glasses, especially those with a high refractive index, this absorption range also extends into the visible range. This absorption is not only caused by the composition of the glass; it is also affected by impurities in the glass, and varies slightly from melt to melt.

The spectral transmittance (including reflection loss) is measured based on the JOGIS-17 standard at wavelengths from 280 nm to 2400 nm in a pair of glass samples with different distances through which transmitted light passes. Then, the internal transmittance 〔τ<sub>i</sub>（10 mm）〕 at a glass sample thickness of 10 mm is calculated from the measurement data.

Optical Properties
OPTICAL PROPERTIES

2.6 Relational Constant for Temperature Coefficient of the Refractive Index

Relational constant for temperature coefficient of the refractive index

The temperature coefficient of the absolute refractive index of glass for wavelengths not listed in the data sheet can be calculated as a function of wavelength and temperature. Ohara uses the following equation.

Equation for Temperature Coefficient of absolute refractive index of glass
ｎ(λ,T0)： Refractive index at reference temperature
Ｔ0： Reference temperature (°C) (Ohara defines this as 25°C)
Ｔ： Target temperature (°C)
λ： Vacuum wavelength (μm)
D0、D1、 D2、E0、 E1、λTK： Constant (listed in the data sheet)

To determine the temperature coefficient of the relative refractive index, refer to the equation given in the previous section, “Temperature coefficient of the refractive index”.

Optical Properties
OPTICAL PROPERTIES

2.9 Internal Transparency

Internal transparency〔λ0.80/λ0.05〕

As a simplified indicator of coloring, the wavelength values in nm at which
the internal transmittance of a 10 mm thick glass sample is 0.80 and 0.05
are indicated.

Optical Properties
OPTICAL PROPERTIES

2.8 Coloring

Coloring

Coloring refers to the degree of coloration of the optical glass and is determined by measuring the spectral transmittance, including reflection losses, for a glass sample with a thickness of 10 mm, according to JOGIS-02. From the spectral transmittance curve (Fig. 3), the wavelengths showing the transmittance of 80% and 5%, respectively, are rounded and displayed in 5 nm units. We use this rounding method: the range 0 nm to 2 nm counts as 0 nm, the range 3 nm to 7 nm counts as 5 nm, the range 8 nm to 10 nm counts as 10 nm . For example, if the wavelength with 80% transmittance is 403 nm and the wavelength with 5% transmittance is 357 nm, the coloring is shown as 405/355.

Optical Glass Coloring

For glass types with a high refractive index, nd ≥ 1.84, the reflection loss is large, so the wavelength showing transmittance of 70 % is used, instead of 80 %, and the value is shown in paranethesis. For example, (415).

Optical Properties
OPTICAL PROPERTIES

2.10 CCI (Color Contribution Index)

CCI

CCI (Color Contribution Index) is an index for predicting how much the color of a photograph taken using a certain lens system changes compared to the original color, due to the spectral characteristics of the lens. It is indicated by a set of 3 numbers for blue (B) / green (G) / red (R). Ohara uses this index to predict how much the color will change as a single glass element. For the measurement method, refer to JIS B 7097 “How to express the color characteristics of a photographic lens by the ISO color characteristic index (ISO / CCI)”. The numbers shown are calculated using the sum of the values of the internal transmittance of the glass sample every 10 nm and the average color film weighted spectral sensitivity, described in JIS. For example, B / G / R of 0/3/5, is shown in Fig. 4 in trilinear coordinates.

CCIE
Optical Properties
OPTICAL PROPERTIES

2.1 Refractive Index

Refractive Index

When light enters the glass, it slows down inversely proportional to the refractive index compared to in a vacuum or in air. The refractive index of optical glass is usually expressed as the speed ratio of light in the air to themedium (glass sample).

The refractive index is measured by sending a predetermined wavelength of light into the sample and measuring theminimum deviation angle of the emitted light bent by refraction, according to JIS B 7071-1. For the 20 spectral lines shown in the table below, numerical values are shown to five decimal places. The refractive indices (principal refractive indices) for d-line (587.56 nm) and e-line (546.07 nm) are also shown to six decimal places.

Spectral Line Symbol t
Light Source Hg Hg Hg Hg Hg
Wavelength (nm) 2325.42 1970.09 1529.58 1128.64 1013.98
Spectral Line Symbol s A′ r C C′
Light Source Cs K He H Cd
Wavelength (nm) 852.11 768.19 706.52 656.27 643.85
Spectral Line Symbol He-Ne D d e F
Light Source レーザー Na He Hg H
Wavelength (nm) 632.8 589.29 587.56 546.07 486.13
Spectral Line Symbol F′ He-Cd g h i
Light Source Cd レーザー Hg Hg Hg
Wavelength (nm) 479.99 441.57 435.835 404.656 365.015
Optical Properties
OPTICAL PROPERTIES

2.2 Dispersion and Abbe Number

Dispersion and Abbe Number

Dispersion refers to the phenomenon arising from a variation in the refractive index depending on the wavelength. Here, nF-nC and nF’-nC’are displayed as the main dispersion. The Abbe number is an index of the magnitude of the variance and is also called the inverse dispersion rate. The larger the variance, the smaller the Abbe number.

Abbe Numbers Calcuation

The glass type data sheet indicates the dispersion, calculated from the refractive index to six decimal places . Abbe number is indicated to two decimal places, this is the result of the calculation from nd to six decimal places and the principal dispersion to six decimal places .

Two decimal places: This is the result of calculation from nd to six decimal places (with seven effective digits) and the principal dispersion to six decimal places (with four or more effective digits).

Optical Properties
OPTICAL PROPERTIES

2.3 Partial dispersion ratio and anomalous dispersion

Partial dispersion ratio 〔θx, y〕 and anomalous dispersion 〔Δθx, y〕
Anomalous dispersion refers to how far away a glass is from the trend line between the partial dispersion ratio θx, y = (nx-ny) / (nF-nC) for wavelengths x and y and the Abbe number νd. In optical design, glass with anomalous dispersion is required to enable color correction of the secondary spectrum.
Therefore, we have released the θg, F-νd diagram and the θC, t-νd diagram as means to show the relationship between θx, y and νd of each glass type. In order to numerically express the anomalous dispersibility, 511605 (NSL 7) and 620363 (PBM 2) are used as reference glasses, and the straight line connecting these two glass types is considered the “normal” line. The difference between the “normal” line and the vertical coordinates θx, y of each glass type is calculated as anomalous dispersion Δθx, y (Fig. 2). In this catalog, the partial dispersion ratio is θg, F and θC, t, and the anomalous dispersion is Δθg, F and ΔθC, t.

Although NSL 7 and PBM 2 are not currently produced by Ohara, the conventional NSL 7 and PBM 2 values ​​(Table 2) are used as the reference values.

Reference Values
θc,t
θC,A'
θg,d
θg,F
θi,g
vd
NSL 7
0.8305
0.3492
1.2391
0.5436
1.2185
60.49
PBM 2
0.7168
0.3198
1.2894
0.5828
1.4214
36.26

>θg,F-νd図とΔθg,F

2.3 Chart
Optical Properties
OPTICAL PROPERTIES

2.4 Disperson Formula Constant

The refractive index for wavelengths not listed in the data sheet can be calculated using the dispersion formula. The Sellmeier equation is used as a practical dispersion formula, as detailed below.

Sellmeier Equation
n ： Refractive index to be calculated
λ ： Arbitrary wavelength (μm)
A1、A2、A3、B1、B2、B3 ： Constant (listed in the data sheet)

Using this dispersion formula and the constants for each glass type, the refractive index of any wavelength in the standard measurement wavelength range (365 to 2325 nm) can be calculated with a calculation accuracy of ±5×10<sup>-6</sup>. However, for glass types for which the refractive indices for the entire standard measurement wavelength range are not listed in the data sheet, the applicable wavelength range of the dispersion formula is limited to the refractive index range listed in the data sheet.

Optical Properties