Fused Silica Research Articles

Parameters Optimization of Active Flexible Tool‐Assisted Shear Thickening Polishing Method for Concave Surface

An innovative approach, active flexible tool‐assisted shear thickening polishing (AFT‐STP), is introduced to overcome the limitations of low efficiency involved in the STP process of the concave surface. The principle and characteristics of AFT‐STP are presented, accompanied by the design of a flexible tool structure and the creation of an experimental setup. Utilizing the Taguchi method, experiments are planned and results are assessed via the signal‐to‐noise ratio to optimize process parameters. A variance analysis is then used to ascertain the relative influence of four key parameters—polishing speed, polishing gap, abrasive particle size, and abrasive concentration on the polishing performance of quartz glass in STP. Under the optimal parameters, a concave quartz glass workpiece with diameter Ø 20 mm and curvature radius 488 mm is polished, the average surface roughness Sa of the five measuring points on the surface decreases from 142.18 ± 8.63 (Avg. ± Std.) nm to 5.34 ± 1.16 nm in 45 min with MRR 57.3 nm min−1, and the surface defects of the processing area are completely removed, leaving only minor pits. The results show that the AFT‐STP is an effective method for high‐quality polishing of concave surfaces.

Investigation of the 106Ru ophthalmic plaque dose distribution in a pseudotumor-contained eye-equivalent phantom by silica glass beads

PurposeTo investigate the 106Ru dose distribution in an intraocular pseudotumor by micro silica glass beads thermo-luminescence dosimeters (TLD). Materials and methodsDosimetry was conducted using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation as well as an experimental setup by employing an in-house eye equivalent phantom. A BEBIG CCA model of 106Ru plaque was used. Bead TLDs were modeled using MCNPX code, choosing water and plexiglass as phantom mediums along with CCA plaque. The deposited energy and electron energy spectra were calculated using *f8 and f4 tallies, respectively. A dedicated eye-equivalent phantom was designed and fabricated by 3D-printing techniques to place glass beads. ResultsAbsorbed dose at the central axis of the CCA plaque by beads TLDs was compared to manufacturer-reported data and simulation results. Maximum, minimum, and mean relative differences of 23%, 7%, and 15% with the manufacturer and 14%, 0%, and 1.6% with the simulation were obtained, respectively. Replacing glass bead material with water resulted in an average relative difference of 33.9% in absorbed energy per mass unit, corresponding to 21% and 44.8% at the first (0.5 mm depth) and last dosimetry points (9.5 mm depth), respectively. It has also been shown that glass beads can shadow each other, leading to a dose reduction of 15%. ConclusionA specific eye equivalent phantom with a pseudotumor was constructed, and silica glass beads were used for dosimetry. The results of the experiment and the MC simulation are in good accord. In the case of 106Ru ophthalmic brachytherapy plaque dosimetry, replacing glass beads material with water led to a mean difference of about 34% as well as shadowing effects. This emphasizes how crucial it is to employ a reliable correction factor in clinical applications.

DETERMINATION OF HELIUM PERMEABILITY OF SILICA MICROSPHERES

This work is devoted to the study of helium permeability of hollow glass silica microspheres. To conduct the study, an experimental stand was prepared to obtain kinetic sorption curves for helium at given values of pressure and temperature. In the course of coordinating experiments and analyzing the helium sorption curves of silica microspheres in the temperature range 21:5–110:0 C, permeability parameters were obtained using a mathematical model: permeability and specific sorption volume. A new method is proposed for determining the distribution of microspheres according to characteristic permeabilities based on solving the inverse ill-posed problem for the integral equation. The obtained values are in good agreement with the results obtained using a previously developed mathematical model.

Effect of silica fume and glass powder for enhanced impact resistance in GGBFS-based ultra high-performance geopolymer fibrous concrete: An experimental and statistical analysis

Solid waste recycling is an economically sound strategy for preserving the environment, safeguarding natural resources, and diminishing the reliance on raw material consumption. Geopolymer technology offers a significant advantage by enabling the reuse and recycling of diverse materials. This research assesses how including silica fume and glass powder enhances the impact resistance of ultra-high-performance geopolymer concrete (UHPGC). In total, 18 distinct mixtures were formulated by substituting ground granulated blast furnace slag with varying proportions of silica fume and glass powder, ranging from 10% to 40%. Similarly, for each of the mixtures above, steel fibre was added at a dosage of 1.5% to address the inherent brittleness of UHPGC. The mixtures were activated by combining sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate solution to generate geopolymer binders. The specimens were subjected to drop-weight impact testing, wherein an examination was carried out to evaluate various parameters, including flowability, density at fresh and hardened state, compressive strength, impact numbers indicative of cracking and failure occurrences, ductility index, and analysis of failure modes. Additionally, the variations in the impact test outcomes were analyzed using the Weibull distribution, and the findings corresponding to survival probability were offered. Furthermore, the microstructure of UHPGC was scrutinized through scanning electron microscopy. Findings reveal that the specimens incorporating glass powder exhibited lower cracking impact number values than those utilizing silica fume, with reductions ranging from 18.63% to 34.31%. Similarly, failure impact number values decreased from 8.26% to 28.46% across glass powder contents. The maximum compressive and impact strength was recorded in UHPGC, comprising 10% silica fume with fibres.

Design and simulation of solid‐core octagonal photonic crystal fiber for terahertz wave propagation

AbstractA solid‐core (SC) octagonal photonic crystal fiber (O‐PCF) designed for operation in the terahertz regime aims to enhance its performance. The effective material loss, confinement loss, effective mode area, and nonlinear coefficient have been investigated and compared for two different media: silica glass and Teflon. The terahertz frequency range from 0.7 to 3.0 THz has been utilized to analyze all the results using a full‐vectorial finite element method, with COMSOL Multiphysics software employed for the simulations. With a suitable selection of parameters, the proposed SC O‐PCF demonstrates the potential to minimize losses and increase the effective mode area of the fundamental mode.

The effect of degree of sintering on the structural and mechanical properties of Si3N4–SiO2 glass ceramics

Silica-based glass ceramics have been extensively used in biomedical applications due to their superior biocompatibility and controllable properties. However, their low mechanical strength limits their application. This could be addressed by optimizing the crystalline phase which determines their final properties. Silicon nitride has attracted attention due to its combination of good mechanical and biological properties. Therefore, to combine the advantage of silica-based glass and silicon nitride ceramic, this study developed a silicon nitride-silicon dioxide (Si3N4–SiO2) glass ceramics. The effects of spark plasma sintering parameters on the structural and mechanical properties of Si3N4–SiO2 glass ceramics were investigated. Full densification was reached at a sintering temperature of 1300 °C, a holding time of 10 min and an applied pressure of 80 MPa (relative density = 99.19 %). No silicon oxynitride (Si2N2O) crystalline phase was formed in the sintered glass ceramics, as confirmed by XRD. The interface between the β-Si3N4 crystalline and amorphous SiO2 was investigated by HRTEM, and the results indicated that an amorphous interfacial oxide was formed at the interface. The mechanical properties increased with increasing sintering temperature, as a result of the increased density. The Si3N4–SiO2 glass ceramics sintered at 1500 °C exhibited the highest value of toughness and flexural strength, at 4.6 ± 0.28 MPa m1/2 and 360 ± 27 MPa. The indentation cracks observed by SEM showed that the large β-Si3N4 grains promoted crack deflection, while the equiaxed Si3N4 grains with a lower aspect ratio led to transgranular fracture. The mechanical properties of these Si3N4–SiO2 glass ceramics are comparable to commercial glass ceramics, indicating their promising aspects in biomedical applications.

High-temperature resistance performance of silica aerogel composites through fiber reinforcement

Aiming to meet the fireproof requirements for bridges, three fiber/silica aerogel composites were fabricated using basalt fiber, a composite of basalt fiber and high silica glass fiber, and high silica glass fiber as the matrix. The dimensional, structural, mechanical, and thermal insulation stability of these composites under high-temperature heating ranging from 800 °C to 1000 °C were systematically studied. Upon high-temperature heating, the fracture and deformation basalt fiber occurred, leading to the breakage of the fiber skeleton and the aerogel integrity. This resulted in significant densification and a consequent decrease in porosity in the heated basalt fiber/aerogel composite and basalt fiber-high silica glass fiber/silica aerogel composite. Crystallization of basalt fiber began after heating to 800 °C and fully completed at 1000 °C. Besides, part of the high silica glass fiber in the basalt fiber-high silica glass fiber/silica aerogel composite crystallized at 900 °C and 1000 °C. These variations in micro-macro structures and phase compositions led to a substantial degradation of mechanical property and thermal insulation performance in the composites containing basalt fiber. In sharp contrast, the fiber skeleton and aerogel integrity remained relatively stable under high-temperature heating, enabling a synergistic thermal insulation effect of fiber and aerogel. The integrated fiber skeleton reduced the radiative thermal conductivity of the aerogel, while the unbroken aerogel protected the fiber from crystallization. Consequently, the mechanical property and thermal insulation performance of the high silica glass fiber/silica aerogel composite remained stable after high-temperature heating. The ultimate tensile strength and thermal conductivity of the pristine and 1000 °C-heated high silica glass fiber/silica aerogel composite were 0.74 MPa and 0.53 MPa, 0.0213 W/(m·K), and 0.0279 W/(m·K), respectively. This novel composite, exhibiting low thermal conductivity, high strength, excellent thermal stability, is expected to be a desirable candidate for bridge fireproof applications.

Advancing mechanical durability and radiation shielding properties in Silicon dioxide (SiO2) glasses through various incorporations: A comparative analysis

Silicon dioxide (SiO2) glasses, known for their high thermal stability, excellent optical transparency, and substantial mechanical strength, are crucial in numerous technological applications, including radiation shielding. This research explores the impact of compositional variations in SiO2-based glasses on their mechanical and radiation shielding properties, particularly focusing on the inclusion of heavy metal oxides (HMO) and rare earth elements (REE) like neodymium (Nd). Through the systematic investigation of fifteen distinct glass samples with varying concentrations of specific oxides and elements, we investigate the compositional changes and their influence on physical properties and their effectiveness in attenuating radiation. Our findings demonstrate that the incorporation of Nd significantly enhances the glass's radiation shielding capabilities. Glasses doped with Nd exhibited higher effective atomic numbers and electron densities, which translate to superior attenuation characteristics at lower photon energies. This is highlighted by the exceptional performance of the 20Nd sample, showing the lowest exposure build-up factors (EBF) at 10 mean free paths (mfp), indicating its potential as a premier candidate for shielding applications against various energy levels of radiation. Moreover, the variation in the Elastic Modulus of the glass samples underscores the significant impact of the glass matrix composition on its mechanical properties, suggesting a delicate balance between network formers and modifiers in determining the glass properties. It can be concluded that the neodymium-doped SiO2-based glasses may be considered as targeted compositions in fine-tuning material properties to meet specific application requirements. As the demand for efficient radiation shielding materials grows across medical, industrial, and space exploration sectors, our findings provide a solid foundation for the development of new glass formulations tailored for enhanced mechanical properties and superior radiation protection levels.

HfTiO4 transparent thick film phosphors activated with Eu3+, Dy3+, and Tb3+ ions

Hafnium (Hf)-based double oxides show promise as high-efficiency scintillators due to large effective atomic numbers and high relative density. However, the preparation of these scintillation crystals is challenging due to their high melting points and incongruent melting behavior. In the present study, we demonstrated that the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of single-phase HfTiO4 films on quartz glass substrate was successfully deposited at temperatures ranging from 973 to 988 K, with a TiO2 molar ratio in the precursor vapor of 25–45 mol% TiO2. The deposition rate of HfTiO4 reached 36 µm h−1. The films exhibited an in-line transmittance of 78 % relative to the raw glass substrate at a wavelength of 600 nm. When activated with Eu3+, Dy3+, and Tb3+ ions, the HfTiO4 films displayed red, yellow, and green photoluminescence emissions originated from the 4f–4f transitions of each trivalent rare-earth ion under ultraviolet light irradiation. HfTiO4 exhibited no intrinsic background emission, suggesting that the addition of a selected activator could yield a phosphor with the desired emission color range.

Preparation of porous silicon using magnesiothermic reduction of porous silica glass and electrode characteristics for lithium-ion batteries

Preparation of porous silicon using magnesiothermic reduction of porous silica glass and electrode characteristics for lithium-ion batteries

Controlling ultrafast laser writing in silica glass by pulse temporal contrast.

We demonstrate that the temporal contrast of femtosecond light pulses is a critical parameter in laser writing inside transparent dielectrics, allowing different material modifications. In particular, anisotropic nanopores in silica glass are produced by high-contrast of 107 femtosecond Yb:KGW laser pulses rather than low-contrast of 103 Yb fiber laser pulses. The difference originates in the fiber laser storing a third of its energy in a post-pulse of up to 200 ps duration. The absorption of this low-intensity fraction of the pulse by laser-induced transient defects with relatively long lifetime and low excitation energy, such as self-trapped holes, drastically changes the kinetics of energy deposition and the type of material modification. We also demonstrate that low-contrast pulses are effective in creating lamellar birefringent structures, possibly driven by a quadrupole nonlinear current.

Formation of Stable Radicals by Mechanochemistry and Their Application for Magic Angle Spinning Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy.

High-field magic angle spinning (MAS) dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is becoming a common technique for improving the sensitivity of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) by the hyperpolarization of nuclear spins. Recently, we have shown that gamma irradiation is capable of creating long-lived free radicals that are amenable to MAS DNP in quartz and a variety of organic solids. Here, we demonstrate that ball milling is able to generate millimolar concentrations of stable radical species in diverse materials such as polystyrene, cellulose, borosilicate glass, and fused quartz. High-field electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) was used to obtain further insight into the nature of the radicals formed in ball milled quartz and borosilicate glass. We further show that radicals generated in quartz by ball milling can be used for solid-effect DNP. We obtained 29Si DNP enhancements of approximately 114 and 33 at 110 K and room temperature, respectively, from a sample of ball milled quartz.

Low-loss and polarization insensitive 32 × 4 optical switch for ROADM applications

Integrated switches play a crucial role in the development of reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADMs) that have greater flexibility and compactness, ultimately leading to robust single-chip solutions. Despite decades of research on switches with various structures and platforms, achieving a balance between dense integration, low insertion loss (IL), and polarization-dependent loss (PDL) remains a significant challenge. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a 32 × 4 optical switch using high-index doped silica glass (HDSG) for ROADM applications. This switch is designed to route any of the 32 inputs to the express ports or drop any channels from 32 inputs to the target 4 drop ports or add any of the 4 ports to any of the 32 express channels. The switch comprises 188 Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) type switch elements, 88 optical vias for the 44 optical bridges, and 618 waveguide-waveguide crossings with three-dimensional (3D) structures. At 1550 nm, the fiber-to-fiber loss for each express channel is below 2 dB, and across the C and L bands, below 3 dB. For each input channel to all 4 drop/add channels at 1550 nm, the loss is less than 3.5 dB and less than 5 dB across the C and L bands. The PDLs for all express and input channels to the 4 drop/add channels are below 0.3 dB over the C band, and the crosstalk is under −50 dB for both the C and L bands.

The influence of the types of cluster composite abrasives on the performance of fixed abrasive pads in processing quartz glass

To enhance the material removal rate (MRR) and surface quality of quartz glass lapping, a new method is proposed utilizing a fixed cluster composite abrasive pad (FCCAP) for processing quartz glass. Firstly, cluster composite abrasives (CCA) with a particle size of 28 μm were prepared using the normal temperature and pressure sintering method, including cluster Al2O3-diamond composite abrasives (CADCA), cluster diamond-diamond composite abrasives (CDDCA), and cluster SiO2-diamond composite abrasives (CSDCA). Secondly, using CCA as the abrasive and relying on ultraviolet curing technology, three types of FCCAP were prepared: fixed cluster Al2O3-diamond composite abrasive pads (FCADCAP), fixed cluster diamond-diamond composite abrasive pads (FCDDCAP), and fixed cluster SiO2-diamond composite abrasive pads (FCSDCAP). Simultaneously, to validate the performance of the prepared FCCAPs, three types of fixed single crystal abrasive pads were prepared using the same process with single crystal Al2O3 (SCA), single crystal diamond (SCD), and single crystal SiO2 (SCS) with a particle size of 28 μm. Using quartz glass as the processing object, lapping experiments and friction and wear experiments were conducted, with MRR, surface roughness Ra, and coefficient of friction (COF) selected as evaluation indexes to compare and study the lapping performance of the six pads. FCCAP demonstrated higher machining efficiency, with FCDDCAP achieving the highest MRR of 3.611 μm/min. Additionally, after FCCAP lapping, the surface roughness Ra of quartz glass is lower, to some extent repairing surface damage such as large scratches. Among them, FCSDCAP achieved the lowest surface roughness of 91.564 nm. Finally, FCCAP exhibits superior friction and wear performance, with FCSDCAP samples having the highest average COF of 0.127. Under the same abrasive particle size conditions, FCCAP has better processing capabilities, enabling efficient lapping of quartz glass.

A novel packaging method for FBG temperature sensors based on ultrasonic-assisted soldering technology

The packaging technology of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors is the key to determining their operational performance. A method for encapsulating FBG temperature sensors using ultrasonic-assisted soldering technology has been proposed and attempted. This packaging method is based on the successful connection between SiO2 quartz glass and Invar alloy. Implementing this soldering connection depends on the active components in the solder, which are dispersed into SiO2 and metal alloys to form more stable substances. The FBG with the removed coating is reliably connected to the metal capillary through ultrasonic soldering. The fragile FBG is adequately protected in the capillary. Sn-based solder with a melting point of 297 ℃ has been selected. The soldering temperature of 330 ℃ avoids significant residual stress caused by the difference in the thermal expansion coefficient of the material at the joint. Excellent bonding strength between optical fibers, solder, and capillaries is necessary for encapsulating sensors. Compared to adhesive, solder packaging is no longer affected by the creep of the sealant. The results show that the working range of FBG temperature sensors encapsulated in epoxy resin is −25 ℃ −115 ℃, while temperature sensors encapsulated by welding can operate stably at −50 ℃ −280 ℃. Sensors packaged using ultrasonic-assisted soldering technology have the potential to be embedded in metal substrates, creating favorable conditions for the development of intelligent electromechanical components.

Proton and muon beam tests for ultra-fast MCP-PMT detectors

In collaboration with the North Night Vision Science and Technology (Nanjing) Research Institute Co. Ltd, researchers at the Institute of High Energy of Physics in China have successfully developed the 20-inch micro-channel-plate photomultiplier tube (MCP-PMT) that exhibits high detection efficiency (DE) for use in the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO). Due to the long drift path of electrons from photocathode to MCP, the 20-inch MCP-PMT has a time resolution on the order of nanoseconds. Recently, the team has made advancements in ultra-fast MCP-PMTs (FPMTs), achieving picosecond-level time resolution with both 1-inch and 2-inch types. By now, prototypes featuring single-anode, 2 × 2 anodes, 4 × 4 anodes, and 8 × 8 anodes have been successfully manufactured and tested. The 8 × 8 anode FPMT, in particular, demonstrates a transit time spread (TTS) of 36 ps (Sigma) in single photon mode, thanks to its meticulously engineered structure. To assess the FPMT’s time performance under beam conditions, two beam tests were conducted at Fermi Lab and CERN. In these tests, the 8 × 8 pixel arrays of four distinct radiators, including LYSO, BGO, Pb glass and quartz glass, were paired with the 8 × 8 anodes FPMT. This setup involved the use of two radiator-coupled FPMT detectors for particle detection. The best coincidence time resolution recorded was 64 ps (Sigma) with a 120 GeV proton beam and 56 ps (Sigma) with a 108 GeV muon beam.

Role of silicate-rich and silicate-less industrial solid wastes in the physicomechanical properties and durability of low quality metakaolin-blended cement.

Although calcined clay-blended cement offers higher performance and durability compared to neat Portland cement (PC), its extensive use of natural clay leads to the depletion of natural non-renewable resources. To address this concern, this study focuses on the utilization of supplementary cementitious materials-based waste products as a substitute for PC. The blended cement was optimized with a low replacement level of 10 wt.% calcined Fanja clay (FNJ) as a low-grade metakaolin (MK) and 90 wt.% PC. Various types of industrial solid wastes (ISWs) were incorporated into the PC-FNJ blend in place of PC. The ISWs utilized included silicate-rich wastes, such as silica fume (SF) and glass waste (GW) powder, as well as silicate-less waste, such as marble dust (MD). The results revealed that incorporating 10 wt.% SF into the PC-FNJ mixture resulted in a considerable decrease in the flow rate while improving its early mechanical strength. GW, as another silicate waste, also enhanced early mechanical properties but not as much as SF. However, the composite of PC-FNJ-GW exhibited higher workability than the neat PC, PC-FNJ, and PC-FNJ-SF. The mixtures of PC-FNJ-MD demonstrated the same trend. Embedding SF into PC-FNJ-GW and PC-FNJ-MD substantially decreased both their flowability and mechanical properties. Nonetheless, all composites containing ISWs showed higher flexural strength, higher resistivity to chloride diffusivity, and higher or comparable acid and salt resistivity.

Reduction in Apparent Permeability Owing to Surface Precipitation of Solutes by Drying Process and Its Effect on Geological Disposal

Disposal tunnels in geological repositories are ventilated continuously for over 50 years until their closure. Under these conditions, an unsaturated zone of mixed liquid and gas phases forms around the tunnels. Moreover, drying is assumed to progress from the host rock to the tunnels. To understand these drying processes, this study investigated the migration and precipitation of solutes via capillary forces during drying in packed columns using silica sand or glass beads as packed layers and X-ray CT analysis. In addition, the apparent permeability of a column packed with silica sand containing precipitation was examined using a flow experiment. The results indicate that the precipitation and accumulation of solutes were significant near the drying surfaces of the columns. The apparent mass transfer coefficient at a relatively early stage of the drying process indicates that the migration rate of solutes depends strongly on the capillary forces during the drying process. Furthermore, the apparent permeability of the columns with precipitation decreased significantly. These indicate that the precipitation and accumulation of solutes with drying in the groundwater reduce the porosity and permeability, and the advection of groundwater around the repository may be suppressed.

Crackless high-aspect-ratio processing of a silica glass with a temporally shaped ultrafast laser.

In this Letter, we propose a crackless high-aspect-ratio processing method based on a temporally shaped ultrafast laser. The laser pulse is temporally split into two sub pulses: one with smaller energy is used to excite electrons but without ablation so that the applied pressure to the sample is weak, and the other one is used to heat the electrons and achieve material removal after it is temporally stretched by a chirped volume Bragg grating (CVBG). Compared with the conventional ultrafast laser processing, the crack generation is almost suppressed by using this proposed method. The hole depth increases more than 3.3 times, and the aspect ratio is improved at least 2.2 times. Moreover, processing dynamics and parameter dependence are further experimentally studied. It shows that the processing highly depends on the density of electrons excited by the first pulse (P1) and the energy of the second pulse (P2). This novel, to the best of our knowledge, method provides a new route for the precise processing of wide-bandgap materials.

Scalable Nanophotonic Structures Inside Silica Glass Laser‐Machined by Intense Shaped Beams

AbstractAll‐dielectric nanophotonic devices are usually fabricated by engraving arrays of nanoholes at the surface of high‐index materials, to engineer dedicated optical functions. However, their direct 3D integration in the volume of a material is challenging, inaccessible to current planar nanolithography methods. Here is introduced an ultrafast laser‐machining method that opens the possibility to realize scalable arrays of hollow nanochannels directly inside the bulk of silica glass within a single‐step, maskless, and digital approach. Using a custom‐shaped micro‐Bessel beam and by tuning laser pulse durations from femtoseconds to picosecond to boost processing versatility, dense assemblies of nanochannels with adjustable lengths (up to 30 µm), and submicron lattice periodicity (down to 0.7 µm) are achieved. As a proof‐of‐principle demonstration, a gradient‐index metaphotonic structure is realized and its performance is experimentally characterized, demonstrating its relevancy for imprinting phase functions with magnitude up to in the short‐wave infrared spectral range. Results show that the unique flexibility and scalability provided by individual control of each channel opens a new realistic alternative approach for 3D fabrication of monolithic integrated nanophotonic devices inside a wide range of low‐index standard optical materials.