Laser-Colored Sapphire for Durable Multi-Color Logo Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for coloring sapphire materials are complex, costly, and limited to black, gray, or white colors due to the physical and chemical properties of sapphire, making it difficult to create durable and aesthetically pleasing designs on electronic device components.
Innovation Solution
A method involving positioning sapphire material over an opaque substrate and exposing it to a laser beam, which induces a chemical change by exchanging ions or embedding atoms from the substrate into the sapphire, creating permanent and varied colored regions within the sapphire material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If laser etching or burning is used to form logos on sapphire material, then logos can be created on the sapphire surface, but the process requires difficult and complex intermediate steps such as ion bombardment, increasing cost, time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex intermediate steps (ion bombardment) from the laser etching process by using a different approach - applying laser energy directly to the sapphire surface to induce color changes through localized heating and structural modification, thereby achieving logo formation without the cumbersome ion bombardment pre-treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical ion bombardment process with a thermal/optical laser heating process. Instead of using ion beams to modify the sapphire surface, the invention uses controlled laser heating to induce color changes, substituting a complex mechanical-chemical process with a more direct thermal process
2Ease of manufacture
If laser etching or burning is used to form logos on sapphire material, then logos can be created on the sapphire surface, but the visible color is typically limited to black, gray or white
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the laser processing parameters (wavelength, pulse duration, power density, scanning speed) to induce different color outcomes in the sapphire material. By controlling these parameters, the process can produce a spectrum of colors beyond the traditional black, gray, or white, enabling multi-colored logos and designs on sapphire surfaces
3Ease of manufacture
If paint is applied directly on the surface of sapphire housing, then designs and logos can be formed on the housing, but the paint may begin to wear and be removed over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary laser treatment on the sapphire surface to create a modified layer with different optical and physical properties. This pre-modification creates a durable substrate that can hold designs permanently through diffusion or structural changes, rather than applying paint that sits on the surface and can wear off
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the paint application process with a laser-induced coloration process. Instead of depositing organic paint molecules on the sapphire surface, the invention uses laser energy to directly modify the sapphire crystal structure or induce color centers within the material, creating designs that are an integral part of the material itself and cannot wear off
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for the creation of durable, multi-colored sapphire components with distinct visible colors that are not easily removed, enhancing the aesthetic and functional properties of electronic device components.
Implementation Method 1
exposing the opaque substrate material to a laser beam passing through the sapphire material to impact the substrate material, and inducing a chemical change in a portion of the sapphire material exposed to the laser beam
Implementation Method 2
inducing a chemical change by exchanging ions or embedding atoms from the substrate into the sapphire
Implementation Method 3
inducing a chemical change by exchanging ions or embedding atoms from the substrate into the sapphire
Data Source
AI summary
A colored sapphire material and methods for coloring sapphire material using lasers are disclosed. The method for coloring the sapphire material may include positioning the sapphire material over an opaque substrate material, exposing the opaque substrate material to a laser beam passing through the sapphire material to impact the substrate material, and inducing a chemical change in a portion of the sapphire material exposed to the laser beam. The method may also include creating a visible color in the portion of the sapphire material as a result of the chemical change. The colored sapphire material may include a first transparent portion, and a second, colored portion substantially surrounded by the first portion. The second, colored portion may have a chemical composition different than that of the first portion.