Optical glass and optical instruments have always developed hand in hand. Every major innovation in optical systems often brings new demands on the properties of optical glass, which in turn drives its progress. Conversely, breakthroughs in the production of new types of glass can revolutionize optical devices. This mutual influence has been a key driver in the evolution of both fields.

The earliest materials used for optical components were natural crystals. Ancient Assyrians are believed to have used crystal lenses, while in ancient China, natural tourmaline (known as “tea mirrors”) and citrine were employed. Archaeological findings suggest that glass was already being made 3,000 years ago in Egypt and during China’s Warring States period. However, it wasn’t until the 13th century in Venice that glass began to be used for spectacles and mirrors. Friedrich Engels praised this invention in his work "Dialectics of Nature," calling it one of the great achievements of the time. From then on, with the advancement of astronomy and navigation, figures like Galileo, Newton, and Descartes utilized telescopes and microscopes, marking the beginning of glass as the dominant material in optical manufacturing.

In the 17th century, achieving achromaticity became a central challenge in optical systems. At that time, improvements in glass composition led to the introduction of lead oxide. In 1729, John Hull created the first pair of achromatic lenses, marking the division of optical glass into two main categories: crown and flint glass.

In 1768, in southern France, a uniform optical glass was produced by stirring with a clay rod, leading to the establishment of an independent optical glass industry. By the mid-19th century, several industrialized nations had set up their own optical glass factories, including the French Para-Mantu Company (1872), the British Chance Company (1848), and the German Schott Company (1848).

During the 19th century, optical instruments experienced significant growth. Just before World War I, Germany pushed for rapid development of military optical equipment, prompting efforts to overcome the limitations of existing glass varieties. A notable figure involved was a physicist who worked at the Schott plant. He introduced new oxides such as BaO, B₂O₃, ZnO, and P₂O₃ into the glass and studied their effects on optical properties. As a result, new types of glass like bismuth, boron-bismuth, and zinc-bismuth were developed, along with special relative partial dispersion glasses. This expansion greatly enriched the range of optical glass, enabling more advanced camera and microscope objectives.

By the 1930s, most research still centered around the Schott plant. In 1934, a series of heavy-duty glass was developed, including German SK-16 (620/603) and SK-18 (639/555). This marked a significant milestone in the development of optical glass.

Following World War II, the demand for new optical instruments—such as aerial photography equipment, ultraviolet and infrared spectroscopy tools, and advanced photographic lenses—led to further developments in optical glass. In 1942, Morey and scientists from the Soviet Union and Germany introduced rare earth elements and other oxides, expanding the glass family and producing high-refractive-index, low-dispersion optical glass. Examples include the German LaK and LaF series, and the Soviet CTK and ТЬФ series. Research also focused on low refractive index, high dispersion glass, resulting in fluorotitanate-based glasses like the Soviet ЛФ-9 and ЛФ-12, and the German F-16.

Despite these advances, many new types of optical glass still face challenges in processing or performance. Therefore, ongoing efforts focus on improving the physical and chemical properties of new glass varieties and optimizing production methods to make them more cost-effective.

Looking back at this historical journey, we can anticipate the future direction of optical glass development as follows:

1. Develop glass with extremely high refractive index;

2. Create glass with special relative partial dispersion;

3. Advance the development of infrared and ultraviolet optical glass;

4. Replace harmful components like radioactive ThO₂, toxic Bi₂O₃, and Sb₂O₃;

5. Enhance the chemical stability of the glass;

6. Improve transparency and reduce radiation;

7. Optimize production processes and lower costs of new glass types.

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