Hybrid Plasma-Laser Micro-Structuring of Fused Silica

Hybrid plasma-laser micro-structuring provides a tool for treating fused silica without the need for a time consuming preconditioning of the surface or the use of expensive vacuum-UV- respectively mid-wavelength-IR-lasers. The use of a hydrogenous plasma prior to the ablation process causes a temporary increase of the absorption in a more easily accessible wavelength region.

Fused silica after conventional laser ablation treatment (left) and after the herein introduced Hybrid Plasma-Laser Micro-Structuring (right). It can clearly be seen, that both contour accuracy and surface roughness are improved by the hybrid technique. (Quelle: W. Viöl)

Challenge

Laser ablation is a surface treatment method and is preferably used to remove thin layers or drill narrow holes. As elegant as this technique might be, it demands a sufficient absorption within the treated material or surface. Fused silica however is almost transparent in a range between 200 nm and 2000 nm where laser ablation is usually carried out. As of today there exist two possible solutions to bypass this disadvantage: On the one hand one can add a layer with a higher absorption coefficient onto the transparent surface before ablation but has to make sure that this layer can be completely removed afterwards. On the other hand it is possible to decrease/increase the laser wavelength beyond/above absorption threshold or amplify the energy density of the laser beam. Both solutions increase efforts and thus costs.

Our Solution

Compared to conventional laser ablation, the proposed hybrid technique allows for an effective and inexpensive way of treating fused silica surfaces. To achieve this, the combination of a hydrogenous plasma and a laser is used. The surface to be treated is brought into contact with a forming gas which reduces part of the near-surface SiO2 into silicon suboxides and also incorporates atomic hydrogen deeper into the structure. As a result, the wavelength dependent absorption is increased by more than a factor of 2 (see figures below). After the laser treatment is finished, the initial index of refraction can be restored almost completely by simply tempering the object for several hours.

Wavelength dependent transmittance through fused silica without plasma treatment (light blue), after a 5-minute plasma treatment (blue) and after a 15-minute plasma treatment (dark blue). (Source: W. Viöl)

Wavelength dependent transmittance through plasma-treated fused silica without being tempered in advance (dark blue), after being tempered for 24 hours (blue) and after being tempered for 48 hours (light blue). (Source: W. Viöl)

Advantages

  • Lowering of the threshold fluence for ablation by 80%
  • Increased contour accuracy of the imaged shapes
  • Decreased surface roughness of the treated region by 80%
  • 50% higher material removal per pulse
  • Reversible

Applications

The proposed technique is suitable for fabricating diffractive optical elements and for micro-structuring of fused silica in general. Hybrid-Plasma-Laser-Ablation can also be applied to remove surface contamination or to anneal surface defects.

Developmental Status

The process has been successfully tested in the laboratory.

Patent Status

A European Patent has been granted and validated in Germany, France and Great Britain: EP2780134B1
Patent owners: HAWK - Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst & Laser-Laboratorium Göttingen e.V.

References

Hybrid Laser-Plasma Micro-Structuring of Fused Silica Based on Surface Reduction by a Low-Temperature Atmospheric Pressure Plasma
Journal of Laser Micro / Nanoengineering, 2012, Vol. 7, Issue 1, Pages 73-76
S. Brückner, J. Hoffmeister, J. Ihlemann, C. Gerhard, S. Wieneke, W. Viöl

Laser Micro-Structuring of Fused Silica Subsequent to Plasma-Induced Silicon Suboxide Generation and Hydrogen Implantation
Physics Procedia 39, 2012, Pages 613–620
J. Hoffmeister, C. Gerhard, S. Brückner, J. Ihlemann, S. Wieneke, W. Viöl

Contact

Dr. Mirza Mackovic
Patent Manager Technology
E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel.: +49 (0) 551 30 724 153
Reference: CPA-1497-HAWK
www.sciencebridge.de

Tags: Plasma physics

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