Patent · US Active

Forming white metal oxide films by oxide structure modification or subsurface cracking

US9839974B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
27References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 24, 2014
Grant dateDec 12, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 28, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/24471
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The embodiments described herein relate to forming white appearing metal oxide films by forming cracks within the metal oxide films. In some embodiments, the methods involve directing a laser beam at a metal oxide film causing portions of the metal oxide film to melt, cool, contract, and crack. The cracks have irregular surfaces that can diffusely reflect visible light incident a top surface of the metal oxide film, thereby imparting a white appearance to the metal oxide film. In some embodiments, the cracks are formed beneath a top surface of a metal oxide film, thereby leaving a continuous and uninterrupted metal oxide film top surface.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.