Strengthening sapphire at elevated temperatures by SiO2 films

SiO₂ films have been prepared on sapphire by radio frequency magnetron reactive sputtering in order to increase the optical and mechanical properties of infrared windows and domes of sapphire at elevated temperatures. Infrared transmission and flexural strength of uncoated and coated sapphires have been investigated at different temperatures. SiO₂ films were shown to have apparent antireflective effect on sapphire substrate at room temperature. With increasing temperature, the coated sapphires have larger average transmission than the uncoated ones. The temperature was proven to only weakly affect the absorption coefficient and antireflection capability of the deposited films. It is also indicated that the flexural strengths of the c-axis sapphire samples coated with SiO₂ films are increased by 1.2 and 1.5 times than those of uncoated at 600 and 800 °C, respectively.