Formation of broadband antireflective and superhydrophilic subwavelength structures on fused silica using one-step self-masking reactive ion etching.
Fused silica subwavelength structures (SWSs) with an average period of ~100 nm were fabricated using an efficient approach based on one-step self-masking reactive ion etching. The subwavelength structures exhibited excellent broadband antireflection properties from the ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelength range. These properties are attributable to the graded refractive index for the transition from air to the fused silica substrate that is produced by the ideal nanocone subwavelength structures. The transmittance in the 400-700 nm range increased from approximately 93% for the polished fused silica to greater than 99% for the subwavelength structure layer on fused silica. Achieving broadband antireflection in the visible and near-infrared wavelength range by appropriate matching of the SWS heights on the front and back sides of the fused silica is a novel strategy. The measured antireflection properties are consistent with the results of theoretical analysis using a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. This method is also applicable to diffraction grating fabrication. Moreover, the surface of the subwavelength structures exhibits significant superhydrophilic properties.
Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621900 (P.R. China).
Xin
X
Ye
Science and Technology on Plasma Physics Laboratory, Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621900 (P.R. China).
Xiaodong
X
Jiang
Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621900 (P.R. China).
Jin
J
Huang
Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621900 (P.R. China).
Feng
F
Geng
Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621900 (P.R. China).
Laixi
L
Sun
School of Physical Electronics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054 (P.R. China).
Xiaotao
X
Zu
Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621900 (P.R. China).
Weidong
W
Wu
Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621900 (P.R. China).
Wanguo
W
Zheng