Surface contouring by controlled application of processing fluid using Marangoni effect
US6555017B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2006/12176
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus and method for modifying the surface of an object by contacting said surface with a liquid processing solution using the liquid applicator geometry and Marangoni effect (surface tension gradient-driven flow) to define and confine the dimensions of the wetted zone on said object surface. In particular, the method and apparatus involve contouring or figuring the surface of an object using an etchant solution as the wetting fluid and using realtime metrology (e.g. interferometry) to control the placement and dwell time of this wetted zone locally on the surface of said object, thereby removing material from the surface of the object in a controlled manner. One demonstrated manifestation is in the deterministic optical figuring of thin glasses by wet chemical etching using a buffered hydrofluoric acid solution and Marangoni effect.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.