Method for local reversible glass swelling
A method of forming, on the surface of a glass material, a raised feature having a height within a target range, comprising ( 1 ) providing a glass material having a surface, ( 2 ) providing the glass material locally, at a location at or below the surface, with an amount of energy causing local expansion of the glass material so as to raise a feature on the surface at the location, ( 3 ) detecting the height of the raised feature or the height over time of the raised feature, ( 4 ) ( a ) if the height is below or approaching a value below the target range, providing the glass material at the location with energy in a greater amount, or ( b ) if the height is above or approaching a value above the target range, providing the glass material at the location with energy in a lesser amount, and ( 5 ) repeating steps ( 3 ) and ( 4 ) as needed to bring the height within the target range. Methods and devices for automating this process are also disclosed.
1. A method of forming, on the surface of a glass material, a raised feature having a height within a target range, the method comprising:
(1) providing a glass material having a surface;
(2) providing the glass material locally, at a location at or below the surface, with an amount of energy causing local expansion of the glass material so as to raise a feature on the surface at the location;
(3) detecting the height of the raised feature or the height over time of the raised feature; and
(4)( a ) if the height is below or approaching a value below the target range, providing the glass material at the location with energy in a greater amount,
( b ) if the height is above or approaching a value above the target range, providing the glass material at the location with energy in a lesser amount,
(5) repeating steps (3) and (4) as needed to bring the height within the target range.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the height is at least 10 μm and the target range is equal to or less than ±500 nm of the height.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the target range is equal to or less than ±200 nm of the height.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the target range is equal to or less than ±100 nm of the height.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the height is at least 30 μm.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the height is at least 80 μm.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the dose of energy is supplied by one or more of: electromagnetic radiation and friction.
8. The method according claim 1 further comprising the step of automatically performing steps (2)-(5).
9. The method according to claim 1 wherein (1) providing the glass material locally, at a location at or below the surface, with an amount of energy, and providing the glass material at the location with energy in a greater amount, and providing the glass material at the location with energy in a lesser amount, together comprise providing the glass material with a varying but continuous dose of energy; or (2) providing the glass material locally, at a location at or below the surface, with an amount of energy, and providing the glass material at the location with energy in a greater amount, and providing the glass material at the location with energy in a lesser amount, each comprise providing the glass material with a discrete dose of energy.
10. The method according to claim 1 wherein providing the glass material with energy in a greater amount increases the height and providing the glass material with energy in a lesser amount decreases the height.
11. The method according to claim 1 comprising applying steps (4 a ) and (4 b ).