Electrically conductive articles with discrete metallic silver layers and methods for making same

• US 10,116,035 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2016
• Issued: 10/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Inventors: Borrelli, Nicholas Francis, Ng'oma, Anthony, Ruffin, Alranzo Boh, Schroeder, III, Joseph Francis, Thelen, Dean Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Colgan, Lauren R
• Application Number:
  US15/139,550
• Publication Number:
  US 20160322694A1
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 428426, 428432, 428434, 428357, 428364, 428401, 428688
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 21/002 to perform ion-exchange between alkali ions C03C21/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 21/005 to introduce in the glass such metals or metallic ions as Ag, Cu
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 21/007 in gaseous phase
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 25/602 to perform ion-exchange between alkali ions C03C25/605 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 25/605 to introduce metals or metallic ions, e.g. silver or copper, into the glass
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 25/607 in the gaseous phase
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/12 Supports; Mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/50 Structural association of antennas with earthing switches, lead-in devices or lightning protectors

Abstract

An electrically conductive article that includes a monolithic glass body having a first primary surface; and an electrically conducting element formed in the body. The element includes a discrete layer, or a plurality of discrete layers, of metallic silver. Each layer has a thickness T such that 0.1 μm≤T≤0.5 μm and an electrical resistivity of about 50 nΩ·m to about 2000 nΩ·m. In addition, the element is spaced apart from the first primary surface by a distance D, wherein 0.1 μm≤D≤20 μm. In some aspects, the electrically conducting element and/or the monolithic glass body are configured as an antenna assembly, an optical fiber or a flexible glass substrate.

Claims

1. An electrically conductive article, comprising:

a monolithic glass body having a first primary surface; and

an electrically conducting element formed in the body, the element comprising a discrete layer, or a plurality of discrete layers, of metallic silver,

wherein each layer has a thickness T such that 0.1 μ

m≤

T≤

0.5 μ

m and an electrical resistivity (ρ

) of about 50 nΩ

·

m to about 2000 nΩ

·

m, and

further wherein the element is spaced apart from the first primary surface by a distance D, wherein 0.1 μ

m≤

D≤

20 μ

m article, and

wherein the monolithic glass body is configured as a fiber having a diameter between about 50 μ

m and about 600 μ

m.

2. The article of claim 1, further comprising:

a layer of compressive stress extending into the body having a depth of layer DOL of up to about 60 μ

m and magnitude of compression CS≥

200 MPa.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein each layer has a thickness T such that 0.1 μ

m≤

T≤

0.5 μ

m and an electrical resistivity of about 100 nΩ

·

m to about 500 nΩ

·

m.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein the conducting element comprises a plurality of discrete layers of metallic silver, each layer spaced apart from an adjacent discrete layer of metallic silver by a spacing S such that S≤

500 nm.

5. The article of claim 1, wherein the diameter is about 150 μ

m.

6. An electrically conductive article configured as a fiber, comprising:

a first surface;

a fiber core having a central axis;

a glass body that extends from the first surface to the central axis, wherein the glass body has a diameter of between about 50 μ

m and about 600 μ

m; and

one or more discrete layers of metallic silver embedded in the glass body beneath the first surface configured to provide an electrical connection along the fiber.

7. The article of claim 6, wherein the diameter is about 150 μ

m.

8. The article of claim 6, wherein the fiber is an optical fiber.