Abstract:
Vacuum-insulated glass (VIG) windows (10) that employ glass-bump spacers (50) and two or more glass panes (20) are disclosed. The glass-bump spacers are formed in the surface (24) of one of the glass panes (20) and consist of the glass material from the body portion (23) of the glass pane. Thus, the glass-bump spacers are integrally formed in the glass pane, as opposed to being discrete spacer elements that need to be added and fixed to the glass pane. Methods of forming VIG windows are also disclosed. The methods include forming the glass-bump spacers by irradiating a glass pane with a focused beam (112F) from a laser (110). Heating effects in the glass cause the glass to locally expand, thereby forming a glass-bump spacer. The process is repeated at different locations in the glass pane to form an array of glass-bump spacers. A second glass pane is brought into contact with the glass-bump spacers, and the edges (28F, 28B) sealed. The resulting sealed interior region (40) is then evacuated to a vacuum pressure of less than one atmosphere.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing an optical assembly (10) comprises providing a first substrate (12, 14) having a first surface, providing a second substrate (12, 14) having a second surface facing the first surface, and forming a pattern microbump (22) on at least a select one of the first surface and the second surface. The method further comprises applying an adhesive (16) to the at least select one of the first surface and the second surface in a region proximate the pattern microbump, and attaching the first substrate to the second substrate by placing the first surface and the second surface in close proximity to one another such that the adhesive contacts both the first surface and the second surface, and wherein the adhesive is held within a preselected area by the pattern microbump.
Abstract:
Disclosed are systems and methods for cutting one or more glass sheets. A system is provided comprising a first mirror having a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface that is spaced from and opposes the first reflective surface to define a cavity between the mirrors. An aperture can be defined in the first mirror. Furthermore, a laser beam can be provided that is configured to emit a beam through the aperture into the cavity. Beams reflected in the cavity, in one aspect, define a common focus point through which the glass sheet can be translated to cause the cutting of the glass sheets. A means for translating the glass sheet through the cavity is provided, in one aspect.
Abstract:
A method of cutting a glass sheet that has been thermally or chemically strengthened along a predetermined line, axis, or direction with high speed and with minimum damage on the cut edges. The strengthened glass sheet may be cut into at least two pieces, one of which having a predetermined shape or dimension. At least one damage line is formed within the strengthened glass sheet. The at least one damage line is formed outside the strengthened compressive stress surface layers and within the tensile stress layer of the strengthened glass sheet. The at least one damage line may be formed by laser treatment. A crack is initiated in the strengthened glass sheet and propagated along the at least one damage line to separate the strengthened glass sheet along the predetermined line, axis, or direction into at least two pieces.
Abstract:
Microlenses (30) are formed on a substrate (18) having a first absorption within an operational wavelength range, and a second absorption outside the operational wavelength range, wherein the second absorption is greater than the first absorption. One or more waveguides (14) are coupled with a processing light beam(20) having, a wavelength outside the operational wavelength range, and the processing light beam is directed through the waveguides to the substrate to locally heat and expand the substrate so as to form microlenses on the substrate.surface. The processing light beam is terminated to stop heating of the substrate and fix the microlenses.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for fabricating glass bump standoff structures of precise height, the method comprising providing oversized glass bumps on a glass substrate, providing a heat source to heat the bumps, positioning a substrate to be aligned on the oversized bumps, and reducing the height of the oversized bumps by a combination of manipulations comprising (1) softening the bumps by heating the bumps and (2) applying pressure to the substrate to be aligned.
Abstract:
Raised features are formed on a transparent substrate having absorption of less than about 20% within a processing wavelength range. A portion of the substrate is irradiated with a light beam to increase the absorption of the irradiated portion of the substrate. Continued irradiation causes local heating and expansion of the substrate so as to form a raised feature on the substrate surface.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for fabricating glass bump standoff structures of precise height, the method comprising providing oversized glass bumps on a glass substrate, providing a heat source to heat the bumps, positioning a substrate to be aligned on the oversized bumps, and reducing the height of the oversized bumps by a combination of manipulations comprising (1) softening the bumps by heating the bumps and (2) applying pressure to the substrate to be aligned.