Integral anti-reflective surfaces of silicate glasses
US4434191A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 1981 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 6, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/315
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Glass surfaces are modified using controlled chemical corrosion to reduce reflection for a variety of existing optical and ophthalmic silicate glass compositions containing at least 5 weight % of alkali metal, using neutral or slightly alkaline aqueous solutions (pH: 7.0-8.5) at temperatures of 20.degree.-100.degree. C. The solutions contain an electrolyte having a dissociation constant greater than 10.sup.-6 and contain a polyvalent metal ion. Selection of the proper range of the ratio of glass surface area treated to treating solution volume is critical for achieving satisfactory results for optical applications as well as for making the process simple, repeatable, and inexpensive. Using this invention, antireflective surfaces may be produced on optical devices of complex configuration with high uniformity. Such surfaces provide substantially improved performance in high energy laser systems where exposure to laser light of extremely high intensity and short duration will destroy or degrade conventionally applied coatings.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.