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Laser Zone Melting and microstructure of waveguide coatings obtained on soda‐lime glass
Author(s) -
ReyGarcía Francisco,
FloresArias María T.,
Estepa Luis C.,
Assenmacher Wilfried,
Mader Werner,
Fuente German F.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international journal of applied glass science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.383
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 2041-1294
pISSN - 2041-1286
DOI - 10.1111/ijag.12267
Subject(s) - materials science , microstructure , soda lime glass , laser , composite material , soda lime , zone melting , waveguide , optics , metallurgy , optoelectronics , physics
This study presents a Laser Zone Melting method with potential for producing planar waveguides at large scale, based on the surface coupling of two chemically compatible glass layers which exhibit distinct indices of refraction. The method is based on a recent patent, particularly applicable to process glass and ceramics with low thermal shock resistance. Glass coatings containing 76.24% by weight PbO are thus here reported, as obtained by this method on commercial soda‐lime planar glass substrates. Their higher indices of refraction (1.58 vs 1.52 for commercial soda‐lime glass) result in attractive waveguiding potential, as demonstrated with measurements using focused light from a He‐Ne laser beam. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy studies reveal excellent integration and compatibility between the observed coatings and substrates, where diffusion in the proximity of the interface was studied by EDS analysis. Crystalline phases have not been found within the coating, or within the substrate, as concluded from the absence of Bragg‐peaks in XRD experiments.