Porous Glass Cladding for LiDAR Anti-Reflective Laminates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional multi-layer interference coatings for glass articles used in LiDAR applications are time-consuming and costly to produce, and they often have poor performance across the entire visible and infrared spectrum, including LiDAR wavelengths.
Innovation Solution
A laminated glass article with a phase-separated glass cladding layer having a porous region, formed by heating and etching a glass composition that includes SiO2, Al2O3, and B2O3, resulting in high transmittance and low reflectance across the visible and infrared spectrum, including LiDAR wavelengths, through a process involving fusion lamination and controlled phase separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional multi-layer interference coatings are applied to glass articles, then anti-reflectiveness and LiDAR capabilities are provided, but the manufacturing process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple coating functions (anti-reflective properties and LiDAR capabilities) into a single integrated glass article structure. The glass article itself is engineered with specific refractive index properties and surface characteristics that simultaneously provide both anti-reflectiveness and LiDAR wavelength transmission, eliminating the need for separate multi-layer coating applications
Solution Approach 2:
The glass article is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides optical clarity for visible light, anti-reflective properties across broad wavelengths, and specific transmission characteristics for LiDAR wavelengths (905nm and 1550nm). This multi-functional design replaces the need for specialized coatings for each function
2Reliability
If traditional multi-layer interference coatings are applied to glass articles, then anti-reflectiveness is achieved, but the cost of production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the anti-reflective function with the base glass article manufacturing process. By engineering the glass composition and structure during primary manufacturing rather than requiring subsequent coating steps, the anti-reflective capability is integrated into the core product, reducing overall production costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simpler, more cost-effective glass composition and manufacturing approach compared to complex multi-layer coating systems. The single-layer glass article with engineered optical properties replaces expensive multi-layer interference coatings, achieving comparable or superior performance at lower cost
3Reliability
If traditional multi-layer interference coatings are applied to glass articles, then LiDAR capabilities are provided, but performance across the entire visible and infrared spectrum is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The glass article is designed with universal optical performance across multiple spectral ranges. The engineered refractive index and surface properties ensure high transmission and low reflection not only at LiDAR wavelengths (905nm, 1550nm) but also across the visible spectrum and broader infrared range, making the article adaptable to multiple applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes key optical parameters including refractive index, surface roughness, and layer thickness to achieve broad-spectrum performance. By carefully controlling these parameters during manufacturing, the glass article maintains high optical efficiency across varying wavelengths without requiring wavelength-specific coatings
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
The laminated glass article achieves transmittance greater than 97% and reflectance less than 3% across the entire spectrum from 875 nm to 2000 nm, with enhanced optical performance in both the visible and LiDAR wavelength ranges, reducing the need for multiple coatings and improving cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
heating the laminated glass article to form a phase-separated cladding layer having an interconnected matrix comprising a first phase and discrete dispersed regions comprising a second phase dispersed in the interconnected matrix
Implementation Method 2
etching the phase-separated cladding layer with an etching solution that etches away the discrete dispersed regions, thereby forming a porous region at a surface of the phase-separated cladding layer
Implementation Method 3
the porous region has an average pore size that is greater than or equal to 10 nm and less than or equal to 200 nm, wherein the laminated glass article has a transmittance across an entire spectrum from about 875 nm to about 2000 nm that is greater than or equal to 97.0%, and the laminated glass article has a reflectance across an entire spectrum from 875 nm to 2000 nm that is less than or equal to 3.0%
Data Source
AI summary
A laminated glass article having a glass core and at least one glass cladding fused to the glass core, the cladding having a porous region at an outer surface thereof. The laminated glass article has a transmittance across an entire spectrum from 875 nm to about 2000 nm that is greater than or equal to 97%, and that has a reflectance across an entire spectrum from 875 nm to 2000 nm that is less than or equal to 3.0%. A method for forming a laminated glass article includes obtaining a laminated glass article have a glass core and a cladding, and heating the laminated glass article to form a phase-separated cladding having an interconnected matrix with discrete dispersed regions. The phase-separated cladding layer is etched to remove the discrete dispersed regions, thereby forming a porous region at a surface of the phase-separated cladding.