Nano-crystals embedded in glass always have interesting quantum effects, while nano-crystal patterns may have wide potential applications in preparing PIC, OEIC and other types of electronic and optoelectronic devices. A direct current electric field, accompanied by heat treatment, was applied on tellurite or silicate glass sheets. The silver ions in a diffused film were introduced into the glass matrix under a high-voltage electric field, instead of supplied during glass melting. The direct diffusion of metal ions, the nucleation and crystallization of nano-crystals in the glass were well controlled by the electric field accompanied by heat treatment. It was found that silver nano-crystal patterns can be transfer printed into tellurite and silicate glass sheets with both patterned diffusion and patterned crystallization.
Keywords: Nano-crystal, Pattern, Glass, Electric field, Transfer print.