Stack With Enclosed Metallic Absorbent Layer For Radiation Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stack designs face challenges in achieving high mechanical durability and light transmission while maintaining low light absorption, particularly during radiation treatment, and reconciling the roles of absorbent layers for radiation absorption and mechanical strength.

Innovation Solution

A stack configuration featuring a metallic absorbent layer sandwiched between dielectric layers, with an intermediate oxide layer providing oxidation support and mechanical protection, and a silicon-based nitride dielectric layer for enhanced light transmission and homogeneity, is introduced. This configuration includes a zinc tin oxide intermediate layer and a terminal protective layer for improved mechanical resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If an absorbent metallic layer is added to the terminal layer of the stack, then light absorption is increased and radiation treatment power is reduced, but the mechanical strength and scratch resistance of the stack deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight absorptionVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal layer is segmented into multiple functional sub-layers: a first dielectric layer, an absorbent metallic layer, a second dielectric layer, and an oxide layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the metallic layer absorbs light while the dielectric and oxide layers provide mechanical protection, resolving the contradiction between light absorption and mechanical strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal layer uses a composite structure combining dielectric materials (for mechanical strength), metallic material (for light absorption), and oxide materials (for protection and adhesion). This composite approach allows the stack to simultaneously achieve high light absorption and maintain mechanical durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If the substrate moves quickly through the radiation treatment enclosure, then productivity increases, but the treatment effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment speedVSAvoidtreatment effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the optical parameters of the terminal layer by introducing an absorbent metallic layer with specific absorption characteristics. This allows the layer to absorb radiation more efficiently, enabling effective treatment even at higher substrate speeds, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and treatment effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the absorbent metallic layer is placed in the terminal layer, then light absorption is enhanced, but scratch resistance deteriorates because the terminal layer is the first to contact scratching elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight absorptionVSAvoidscratch resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The oxide layer is deposited after the absorbent metallic layer to provide a protective cushioning layer that shields the metallic layer from mechanical damage. This beforehand protection allows the metallic layer to maintain its light absorption function without being exposed to scratching elements, resolving the contradiction between light absorption and scratch resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 proposed configuration achieves high mechanical durability and light transmission while allowing for increased treatment speed during radiation, reducing light absorption and maintaining high scratch resistance, thus enhancing the productivity and performance of the stack.

Implementation Method 1

the use of an absorbent terminal layer makes it possible to increase the absorption of radiation by the stack

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

As the terminal layer oxidizes during the treatment and becomes transparent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP4229017B1Material comprising a stack with enclosed metallic absorbent layer and method for depositing this material
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 SAINT GOBAIN VITRAGE SA
  • EP4229017B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4229017B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4229017B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention concerns a material comprising a substrate (30) coated on one face (29) with a stack of thin layers (14) comprising at least one functional metallic layer (140) and an anti-reflection coating (160) located above said functional layer (140) opposite the substrate (30), comprising: - an absorbent metal layer (168), of between 1.0 and 8.0 nm, located directly on a dielectric under-layer (164) and being located directly under a dielectric overlayer (164'), with said dielectric under-layer (164) and/or said dielectric overlayer (164') which comprises oxygen; and - an intermediate oxide layer (165) of between 1.5 and 40.0 nm.