Matte finishes on optical fibers and other glass articles

摘要

A mixture of buffered hydrofluoric acid (e.g., HF and NH₄F) and a treating agent (e.g., acetic acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid or formic acid) is used to produce a matte finish (24) on the pure silica cladding of an optical fiber (16), on a borosilicate glass tube and on a sodium lime glass plate. The matte finish may be used to increase the adhesion of other materials to the glass (e.g., of metal coatings (26) to silica fibers) or to reduce glare.