Nanostructure formation and regulation during low-energy ion beam sputtering of fused silica surfaces

Wenlin Liao; Yi-Fan Dai; Xutao Nie; Xuqing Nie; Mingjin Xu

doi:10.1117/1.OE.56.12.125102

23 December 2017 Nanostructure formation and regulation during low-energy ion beam sputtering of fused silica surfaces

Wenlin Liao, Yi-Fan Dai, Xutao Nie, Xuqing Nie, Mingjin Xu

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 56, Issue 12, 125102 (December 2017). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.56.12.125102

Abstract

Ion beam sputtering (IBS) possesses strong surface nanostructuring behaviors, where dual microscopic phenomenon can be aroused to induce the formation of ultrasmooth surfaces or regular nanostructures. Low-energy IBS of fused silica surfaces is investigated to discuss the formation mechanism and the regulation of the IBS-induced nanostructures. The research results indicate that these microscopic phenomena can be attributed to the interaction of the IBS-induced surface roughening and smoothing effects, and the interaction process strongly depends on the sputtering conditions. Alternatively, ultrasmooth surface or regular nanostructure can be selectively generated through the regulation of the nanostructuring process, and the features of the generated nanostructures, such as amplitude and period, also can be regulated. Consequently, two different technology aims of nanofabrication, including nanometer-scale and nanometer-precision fabrication, can be realized, respectively. These dual microscopic mechanisms distinguish IBS as a promising nanometer manufacturing technology for the optical surfaces.

Citation Download Citation

Wenlin Liao, Yi-Fan Dai, Xutao Nie, Xuqing Nie, and Mingjin Xu "Nanostructure formation and regulation during low-energy ion beam sputtering of fused silica surfaces," Optical Engineering 56(12), 125102 (23 December 2017). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.56.12.125102

Received: 25 August 2017; Accepted: 5 December 2017; Published: 23 December 2017

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