Photoactivatable Protean Glass/Ceramic Materials for Imbedded Miniature Devices

ABSTRACT: The emerging technology of protean glass/ceramic materials, where RF and DC electrical properties can be imbued in the material volume by laser excitation and subsequent material transformation processes has great potential especially for the military applications. In this Phase I research, Chemat has successfully prepared a protean glass which is photosensitive. A pattern such as a 3 5 mm line has been made by exposing the masked glass to UV Arc lamp, and the exposed line becomes semi-conductive. Further heat treatment in inert atmosphere transforms the exposed line to be metallic conductor. Preliminary laser direct writing on the glasses cause the change in conductivity in the laser written area. In this Phase II research, we plan to optimize the glass composition and melting conditions to make liter size of the glasses of optical quality. The transformation mechanism of the glasses from insulating to semi-conducting after exposed to UV Arc lamp will be determined and the formation and dynamics of the conductive phase will be studied. A conductive line will be built inside the glass using laser direct-writing and following heat treatment. Two types of antennas embedded inside the glasses: Marconi Antenna and 3D fractal antenna will be fabricated and characterized. BENEFIT: The technology developed in this Phase II project has several unique advantages: (1) building complex 3D structures which cannot make using other technology; (2) a low cost simple process; and (3) fully embedded (protected) inside the glass. The success of this research and development will lead to many potential commercial applications: sensor-rich micro analysis biological systems for point-of-care testing, architectural panels for modern office buildings, optical components, and high temperature ceramics.