Overview
ISO 9802:2022 - Raw optical glass - Vocabulary defines the accepted terminology used for raw optical glass and related manufacturing processes. The second edition (2022) updates and expands the terms and definitions to reflect practical usage in optics and photonics. The scope is limited to terms considered necessary for correct understanding; it does not attempt a complete lexicon and notes that interpretations correspond to usage in this specific field and may differ from other disciplines.
Key topics
The standard organizes vocabulary into clear, practical categories:
- General optical terms: light beam, light ray, electromagnetic radiation, optical/visible/infrared/ultraviolet radiation, spectrum.
- Types of optical glass: definitions of raw optical glass, glass type and glass code (six‑digit number encoding refractive index and Abbe number), and classification into crown and flint glasses (Abbe number thresholds are specified relative to refractive index).
- Manufacturing processes and media: common fabrication and surface‑treatment terms such as slumping, pressing, moulding, annealing, generating, surfacing, grinding, lapping, polishing, etching, leaching, and ultrasonic cleaning; abrasive media and bonded pellets are also defined.
- Optical properties: precise vocabulary for refraction, refractive index (absolute and relative), temperature coefficients of refractive index, dispersion and principal dispersion (F, C, F', C' lines), and principal refractive indices (e.g., e and d lines).
- Non‑optical properties and imperfections: terms covering inhomogeneities, bubbles, strains and other defects that affect glass quality.
Applications
ISO 9802:2022 is a reference vocabulary that improves clarity and consistency across documents, specifications and communication in:
- Optical glass manufacturers and glass formulation laboratories
- Lens, prism and component designers working in imaging, photonics, spectroscopy and infrared systems
- Quality control and metrology teams specifying refractive indices, Abbe numbers, strain and defect terminology
- Standards writers, procurement professionals, and technical editors referencing consistent optical terminology
Using this vocabulary reduces ambiguity in technical specifications (refractive index, dispersion, annealing procedures, surface treatments) and supports interoperability between suppliers and OEMs.
Who should use it
- Materials scientists and glassmakers
- Optical engineers and lens designers
- Quality assurance and inspection personnel
- Standards developers and technical authors in optics and photonics
Related standards
ISO 9802 references and aligns with other optics standards such as ISO 12123, ISO 7944, ISO 23584‑2 and ISO/IEC terminology resources (ISO Online Browsing Platform, IEC Electropedia). These related documents provide complementary specifications for measurement wavelengths, refractive index procedures and optical material characterization.
