Patterned Deposition of Sol-Gel Thin Films Using an Airbrush

ABSTRACT In this article, we present a method to pattern glass substrates with sol-gel derived thin films. This method is based on the aerosol deposition of sol-gel precursor solutions using an inexpensive, commercially available airbrush. The technique was demonstrated using Cy5-doped sol-gel thin films for the creation of wavelength conversion devices. The films deposited were mechanically and chemically rigid, and patterns could be achieved with a resolution limit of approximately 250 μm. Constructing channel waveguides was also attempted using both zirconium- and titanium-based sol-gel thin films. Deposited thin films of these materials showed graininess that limited the ability to couple light into the films and increased the observed scatter. However, light was successfully coupled into the titanium-based sol-gel film using small lens-like structures created on the glass surface.

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