Laser densification of sol-gel-derived silica coatings.

摘要

Sol-gel derived silica coatings were deposited on soda-lime-silica by dip-coating. An absorbing metallic layer was sputtered onto the surface of the gel to couple near-infrared radiation from a Nd:YAG laser into the transparent coating. Laser energy was utilized to heat the ceramic coating on a substrate which has a lower glass transition temperature than the coating. Scanning the sample across the beam's path resulted in the formation of a 50 mum wide channel. The characteristics of a channel were altered by varying laser power, sol-gel coating thickness, and scanning speeds. Profilometry and SEM analysis verified that the coating can be heated to high temperatures without damaging the substrate.