Gas permeable window and method of fabricating the same

Abstract

A gas permeable glass window, suitable for use with liquid interface additive manufacturing, has an optically transparent glass article greater than about 0.5 millimeters in thickness defining a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of gas channels are disposed through the article from the first surface to the second surface. The gas channels occupy less than about 1.0% of a surface area of the article and are configured such that the article has a gas permeability between about 10 barrers and about 2000 barrers.

Description

BACKGROUND

Generally, polymeric materials have a poor transmissivity to light having a wavelength in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum. Additionally, polymeric materials typically have lower stiffness values than other optically transparent materials. Further, the processing of polymeric materials such that they may be permeable to certain gases may negatively affect the transmissivity and stiffness attributes of the polymeric material. Accordingly, the creation of an article which is both stiff and transparent to ultraviolet light, but which is permeable to gas, is desired.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a gas permeable glass window suitable for use with liquid interface additive manufacturing includes an optically transparent glass article greater than about 0.5 millimeters in thickness. The glass article defines a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of gas channels are disposed through the article from the first surface to the second surface. The gas channels occupy less than about 1.0% of a surface area of the article and are configured such that the article has a gas permeability between about 10 barrers and about 2000 barrers.

According to another embodiment, a method of forming a gas permeable glass window includes steps of providing an optically transparent glass article having a first surface and a second surface, focusing a pulsed laser beam into a laser beam focal line, viewed along the beam propagation direction, and forming a plurality of gas channels in the article by repeatedly directing the laser beam focal line into the optically transparent glass article at an angle of incidence to the first surface of the glass article. The laser beam focal line generates an induced absorption within the article and each induced absorption produces a gas channel along the laser beam focal line from the first surface to the second surface within the article. The number and diameter of the gas channels is determined based on a desired gas permeability through the article.

According to another embodiment, a gas permeable window includes an optically transparent article defining a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of gas channels extend from the first surface to the second surface. The gas channels are disposed at an angle between about 0° to about 15° relative to an axis orthogonal to the first and second surfaces. The angle of the channels increases with an increasing distance from a central point.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary, and are intended to provide an overview or framework to understanding the nature and character of the claims. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments, and together with the description, serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gas permeable window according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2A is an enhanced cross sectional view along line II of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2B is an enhanced cross sectional view along line II of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment;

FIG. 2C is an enhanced cross sectional view along line II of FIG. 1 according to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of an optical assembly for laser drilling;

FIG. 3B is an illustration of an alternate positioning of a laser beam focal line relative to an article;

FIG. 3C is an illustration of a method of laser drilling the window, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 4A depicts use of the window according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 4B is an enhanced view of the window according to an alternate embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivates thereof shall relate to a gas permeable window 10 as oriented in FIG. 1, unless stated otherwise. However, it is to be understood that the gas permeable window 10 may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2C, depicted is an embodiment of the gas permeable window 10. The window 10 may be suitable for use in a liquid interface additive manufacturing device as well as applications where gas pressure equalization is desirable. The window 10 includes an optically transparent article 14 defining a first surface 18 and a second surface 22. Extending through the optically transparent article 14 is a plurality of gas channels 26. The gas channels 26 extend from the first surface 18 to the second surface 22 and facilitate fluid and optical communication between spaces on different sides of the window 10. Although each gas channel 26 is depicted as extending fully through the article 14, it should be understood that some gas channels 26 may not fully extend through the article 14. The article 14 may have a thickness t which may be in the range from about 0.1 millimeters to about 15.0 millimeters, or in the range of about 0.5 millimeters to about 10.0 millimeters, or in the range of about 1 millimeter to about 3.2 millimeters, or in a range of about 0.1 millimeters to about 0.7 millimeters, or as thick as about 30 microns. The article 14 is made of a material which may include at least one of glass, glass laminates, glass composites, sapphire, glass-sapphire stack, and other materials that are substantially transparent. In glass embodiments of the article 14, high-performance glass such as Corning's Eagle X6®, or inexpensive glass such as soda-lime glass, for example, may be utilized. Additionally, in embodiments where the article 14 includes a glass, the glass article 14 may have at least one ion-exchange region present from alkali, alkali-earth, and/or transition metal doping. Further, where the article 14 includes glass, the article 14 may have been thermally tempered. In embodiments where the optically transparent article 14 includes a glass, the article 14, and therefore the window 10, may be optically transparent to light having a wavelength in the range of between about 100 nanometers and about 1,200 nanometers, or in a range of about 250 nanometers to about 1,100 nanometers.

In the depicted embodiment, the gas channels 26 are evenly spaced in a grid pattern across the first and second surfaces 18, 22 of the article 14, but may additionally or alternatively be arranged in other configurations and patterns. For example, the gas channels 26 may be randomly spaced across the article 14, in an aperiodic pattern, or in other patterns or arrangements not susceptible to easy recognition by a human eye. The density, or number of gas channels 26 per unit area, may range between about 10 per square millimeter to about 40,000 per square millimeter, or range between about 50 per square millimeter to about 20,000 per square millimeter, or range between about 100 per square millimeter to about 400 per square millimeter. Additionally, portions of the article 14 may have higher or lower densities of gas channels 26 relative to other portions. For example, the density of gas channels may vary according to a pattern, randomly, and may incorporate areas where there are no gas channels (e.g., direct center or edges of the article 14). The distance d between each of the gas channels 26 may range, depending on the gas channel 26 orientations, between about 1 micron to about 400 microns, more specifically between about 5 microns to about 250 microns, and more specifically between about 50 microns to about 100 microns.

The diameter of the gas channels 26 may be in the range of about 0.1 microns to about 250 microns, or in the range of about 0.2 microns to about 100 microns, or in the range of about 0.25 microns to about 50 microns. It should be understood that the diameter of the gas channels 26 may vary from channel to channel, or may vary as a function of the gas channel's location within the article 14. The diameter of the gas channels 26, and the thickness t of the optically transparent article 14, may be set based on a desired aspect ratio of the gas channels 26. The aspect ratio is measured as the length of the gas channels 26 (e.g., the thickness t of the article 14) to the diameter of the gas channels 26. The aspect ratio of the gas channels 26 may be in the range of about 20:1 to about 50,000:1, or may be in the range of about 10:1 to about 12,000:1, or may be in the range of about 50:1 to about 500:1. In some embodiments, each gas channel 26 has the same or a substantially similar aspect ratio across the article 14, while in other embodiments the aspect ratios of the gas channels 26 may vary (e.g., via increasing or decreasing the diameter of individual gas channels 26). For example, in some embodiments, the aspect ratio of the gas channels 26 may be assigned randomly, while in other embodiments, the aspect ratio may change or vary from channel to channel based on a larger pattern or location of the individual gas channel 26 on the article 14. In some embodiments, high aspect ratios of the gas channels 26 are desirable, as thin gas channels 26 may minimize optical distortions of light passing through the optically transparent article 14. Additionally, high aspect ratio gas channels 26 may reduce any artifacts in images created from light transmitted through the article 14. Further, the fraction of surface area of the article 14 that is occupied by the gas channels 26 may also affect the light transmittance of the gas permeable window 10. The fraction of surface area of the article 14 covered by the gas channels 26 may be less than about 2.0%, more specifically less than about 1.0%, even more specifically less than about 0.1%, and in some embodiments, less than about 0.01%.

The formation of gas channels 26 through the optically transparent article 14 allows fluids such as gases (e.g., air or pressurized gases) to pass through the gas permeable window 10, from one side to another. Depending on a desired level of permeability through the gas permeable window 10, the diameter, number, and/or distance d between the gas channels 26 may be altered. The gas permeability of the article 14 may range between about 0.1 barrers to about 3000 barrers, or range between about 10 barrers and about 2000 barrers, or range between about 100 barrers to about 500 barrers. Quantified differently, as a system leak rate, the window 10 may have a permeability greater than about 5 PSI per hour, or greater than 10 PSI per hour, or greater than 20 PSI per hour. Under a pressure of about 1 atmosphere, the article 10 should deflect less than about 200 microns, more specifically less than about 100 microns, and even more specifically, less than about 50 microns.

In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 2A, the gas channels 26 extend in a direction orthogonal to each of the first and second surfaces 18, 22 through the optically transparent article 14. The gas channels are substantially cylindrical, but may take a variety of shapes including ellipse, triangular, square, or polygons having a greater number of sides. It should also be understood that the gas channels 26 may vary in shape across the window 10. The gas channels 26 are depicted as having a substantially uniform size, but may also vary in diameter between the first and second surfaces 18, 22 causing the gas channels 26 to taper through the article 14.

Referring now to the depicted embodiment of FIG. 2B, the gas channels 26 of the gas permeable window 10 vary in angle a with respect to an axis Z orthogonal to the first and second surfaces 18, 22. The angle by which the gas channels 26 vary from the orthogonal axis may range between about 0° to about 20°, or range between about 0.1° to about 15°, or range between about 0.1° to about 10°, In the depicted embodiment, the angle by which the gas channels 26 are tilted increases with increasing distance from a central region, or point, of the article 14. In other embodiments, the angle by which the gas channels 26 are tilted may change irrespective of the location on the article 14 or may form patterns. The slanting of the gas channels 26 may be done to facilitate the flow of gas through the article 14 and/or to minimize the production of artifacts in light transmitted through the article 14 from a point source located on one side of the gas permeable window 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2C, in some embodiments the optically transparent article 14 may include multiple optically transparent sheets 40. A plurality of the optically transparent sheets 40 may be bonded in assembly to form the optically transparent article 14. Each of the sheets 40 defines a plurality of holes 44. The holes 44, when the sheets 40 are in assembly, may be substantially aligned to form the gas channels 26. Embodiments where the article 14 is composed of multiple sheets 40 such as this are advantageous in that it allows for the processing of smaller components, yet still offers high aspect ratio gas channels 26. In should be understood that the gas channels 26 may also be drilled through the plurality of sheets 40 at an angle α relative to the orthogonal axis Z, similar to that described in connection with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-C, according to one embodiment, an ultra-short pulsed laser may be used to create the gas channels 26 through the article 14 of the window 10. The details of the optical setup that enables the creation of the gas channels 26 are described below, and in U.S. application Ser. No. 61/752,489 filed on Jan. 15, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. Additionally, U.S. application Ser. No. 14/530,410 filed on Oct. 31, 2014, is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. The essence of the short-pulsed laser concept is to use an axicon lens element in an optical lens assembly to create a region of high aspect ratio gas channels 26 using ultra-short (picoseconds or femtosecond duration) Bessel beams. In other words, the axicon condenses the laser beam into a high intensity region that is generally cylindrical in shape and has a high aspect ratio in the body of the article 14. Due to the high intensity of the condensed laser beam, nonlinear interaction of the electromagnetic field of the laser and the material article 14 occurs and the laser energy is transferred to the article 14 to effect formation of defects that become constituents of the gas channels 26. However, it is important to realize that in the areas of the article 14 where the laser energy intensity is not high (e.g., article first surface 18, volume of the article 14 surrounding the central convergence line), the material is transparent to the laser and there is no mechanism for transferring energy from the laser to the material. Within the context of the present disclosure, a material is substantially transparent to the laser wavelength when the absorption is less than about 10%, and preferably, less than about 1% per millimeter of material depth at this wavelength. As a result, nothing happens to the article 14 in the regions where the laser intensity is below the nonlinear threshold.

Through use of the ultra-short pulsed laser, it is possible to create microscopic (e.g., in a range of between about 0.1 microns to about 0.5 microns in diameter, or in a range between about 0.1 microns to about 2.0 microns) gas channels 26 in the optically transparent article 14 using one or more high energy pulses or one or more bursts of high energy pulses. The gas channels 26 are regions of the article 14 material modified by the laser. The laser-induced modifications disrupt the structure of the article 14 material. Structural disruptions include compaction, melting, dislodging of material, rearrangements, and bond scission. The gas channels 26 extend into the interior of the article 14 and have a cross-sectional shape consistent with the cross-sectional shape of the laser (generally circular). In embodiments where the gas channels 26 have a different shape, the gas channel 26 may be formed via multiple pulses while moving the article 14 and/or laser. The average diameter of the as manufactured gas channels 26 may be in the range from about 0.1 microns to about 50 microns, or in the range from about 1 microns to about 20 microns, or in the range from about 2 microns to about 10 microns, or in the range from about 0.1 microns to about 5 microns. The disrupted or modified area (e.g, compacted, melted, or otherwise changed) of the material surrounding the gas channels 26 in the embodiments disclosed herein, preferably has a diameter of less than about 50 microns, and, more specifically, less than about 10 microns.

The individual gas channels 26 can be created at rates of several hundred kilohertz (several hundred thousand per second, for example). Thus, with relative motion between the laser source and the article 14, the gas channels 26 can be placed adjacent to one another and in whatever pattern desired. The spatial separation and the size of the gas channels 26 may be at least partly selected based on a desired permeability of the window 10.

Turning to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a method of laser drilling the article 14 includes focusing a pulsed laser beam 50 into a laser beam focal line 54, viewed along the beam propagation direction. The laser beam focal line 54 can be created by several ways, for example, Bessel beams, Airy beams, Weber beams and Mathieu beams (i.e, non-diffractive beams), whose field profiles are typically given by special functions that decay more slowly in the transverse direction (i.e. direction of propagation) than the Gaussian function. The laser (not shown) emits the pulsed laser beam 50 at a beam incidence side 58 of an optical assembly 62, the pulsed laser beam 50 being incident onto the optical assembly 62. The optical assembly 62 turns the incident laser beam into the laser beam focal line 54 on the output side over a defined expansion range along the beam direction (a length L of the focal line). The article 14 to be processed is positioned in the beam path after the optical assembly 62 and overlapping at least partially the laser beam focal line 54 of laser beam 50.

As FIG. 3A depicts, article 14 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal beam axis and thus behind the same focal line 54 produced by the optical assembly 62 (the substrate is perpendicular to the drawing plane) and viewed along the beam direction it is positioned relative to the focal line 54 in such a way that the focal line 54 viewed in beam direction starts before the first surface 18 of the article 14 and stops after the second surface 22 of the article 14, i.e. extending through the article 14. In the overlapping area of the laser beam focal line 54 with article 14, i.e. in the article 14 covered by focal line 54, the laser beam focal line 54 thus generates (in case of a suitable laser intensity along the laser beam focal line 54) a section 66 aligned with the longitudinal beam direction, along which an induced nonlinear absorption is generated in the article 14. The induced nonlinear absorption induces gas channel 26 formation in the article along section 66. The defect line formation is not only local, but extends over the entire length of section 66 of the induced absorption. It should be noted that although depicted as extending through the article 14, the focal line 54 may extend only partially into the article 14, thereby forming a gas channel 26 which does not extend between the first and second surfaces 18, 22. The average diameter or extent of the section of the induced absorption (or the sections in the material of article 14 undergoing the gas channel 26 formation) is labeled with reference D. The average extension D generally corresponds to the average diameter of the laser beam focal line 54, that is, an average spot diameter. It should be noted that due to localized heating and expansion of the article 14, micro-crack formation may take place because of the tension induced from the expansion of heated material, with the tension being the highest at the surface (e.g., first or second surface 18, 22) where the pulsed laser beam 50 contacts the article 14.

As shown in FIG. 3B, creating an angle between an orthogonal axis of the first and second surface article 14 and the pulsed laser beam 50 alters the angle at which the laser beam focal line 54 will be formed in the article 14. By altering the angle at which the beam focal line 54 contacts the article 14, the gas channel 26 may also be formed at an angle though the article 14 along section 66. The laser beam focal line 54 may be incident on the article 14 at an angle in the range of about 0° to about 20°, or in a range of about 0.5° to about 15°, or in a range of about 1° to about 10°.

In an alternative embodiment, the gas channels 26 may be formed in the article 14 via laser percussion drilling. Percussion drilling is performed using a laser having a suitable wavelength and intensity, the laser spot size determining the final hole size. Wavelengths that may be used range between about 100 nanometers to about 1070 nanometers, or in a range of about 150 nanometers to about 400 nanometers. In an exemplary embodiment, the laser may utilize an ultraviolet laser beam having a wavelength of about 355 nanometers. During drilling, the laser is focused to a Gaussian spot on a surface (e.g., the first or second surface 18, 22) of the article 14, the Gaussian spot having a diameter in the range of about 1 micron to about 20 microns, or in a range of about 3 microns to about 10 microns. The laser is pulsed to repetitively strike the same location on the article 14. The laser pulse duration may range between about 1 nanosecond and about 100 nanoseconds, or range between about 10 nanoseconds to about 25 nanoseconds. The laser may be capable of between about 50,000 pulses per second to about 150,000 pulses per second, more specifically about 100,000 pulses per second. With each pulse, a portion of material is removed from the article 14 and the gas channel 26 begins to form. As the gas channel 26 is formed in the article 14, the gas channel 26 confines the laser beam and creates a long thin hole through the article 14. The laser is pulsed until the gas channel 26 is of a desired depth (e.g., fully through the article 14) within the article 14 and the laser is shut off. The laser beam and article 14 are then moved relative to one another and the process repeated to form the next gas channel 26. Percussion drilling may allow the gas channels 26 may be tapered. For example, in an embodiment where the percussion drilling laser is incident on the first surface 18 of the article 14, the gas channel 26 may have an opening at the first surface 18 of about 15 to about 25 microns in diameter, and an opening on the second surface 22 of the article 14 having a diameter of about 5 microns to about 10 microns.

Regardless of the laser drilling method employed, after formation of the gas channels 26 it may be desirable to increase the diameters of, or to heal any micro-cracks present in, the gas channels 26. In one embodiment, a chemical etching process may be employed to widen the gas channels 26 and heal any micro-cracks or areas of mechanical weakness that formed during laser drilling. An etchant 70 (FIG. 3C) may include hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and/or combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the etchant may include about 5% hydrofluoric acid, about 10% nitric acid, and the balance being water. The process is typically carried out by submersing the article 14 in a liquid solution of the etchant 70. By controlling the concentration of the acid, the temperature of the solution and the exposure time, the total amount of material removed from the article 14 can be adjusted. Additionally, the etching can be performed while agitating the article 14, or in the presence of ultrasound, to increase the fluid exchange inside the damage regions to lower the total amount of etching time.

As depicted in FIG. 3C, embodiments of the article 14 utilizing multiple optically transparent sheets 40 arranged in a stack may have the gas channels 26 formed in an expedited process. In a first step, the plurality of sheets 40 are arranged on top of one another to form a stack 74 positioned under the laser, and are then laser drilled according to one of the laser drilling methods outlined above to form a plurality of holes 44 through the sheets 40. During stacking, the sheets 40 may be marked with additional holes or fiducial markings to allow for reassembly of the stack 74 later. For example, one or more openings may be positioned at the edge of the sheets 40 and may be configured to accept a retaining pin that may be used during assembly and reassembly of the stack 74. Such a retaining pin would allow for quick and easy alignment of the sheets 40 within the stack 74. Each of the sheets 40 may have a thickness between about 0.1 millimeters and about 2.0 millimeters. In embodiments of laser drilling utilizing the laser beam focal line 54, the line 54 may extend through the entire stack of sheets 40 or only a portion of the sheets 40. For example, the focal line 54 may be positioned within the stack 74, pulsed, and moved downward though the stack 74. It should be understood that although FIG. 3C is depicted as using the ultra-short pulsed laser, laser percussion drilling may be used with similar results.

Once the first step is completed, a second step of separating the sheets 40 from one another is performed and the sheets 40 are etched in the etchant 70 as described above. Etching of the sheets 40 separately ensures that the liquid etchant 70 fully enters the holes 44 such that the healing and widening of the gas channels 26 is done evenly. Finally, after etching, the sheets 40 are cleaned and assembled to form the article 14. In embodiments where the article 14 is composed of multiple sheets 40, the article 14 may be held together via retaining pins or other suitable bonding and alignment techniques. Aligning of the sheets 40 causes the holes 44 to be substantially in alignment, thereby forming the gas channels 26. By utilizing this technique, proper etching of high aspect ratio gas channels 26 within the article 14 can be assured because there is less distance for the etchant 70 to flow through. Additionally, laser drilling the plurality of sheets 40 at the same time may provide a manufacturing advantage in increased throughput.

It should be understood that the laser drilling of the gas channels 26 may be performed on articles 14 before or after an ion-exchange process has been carried out on the article. Exemplary ion-exchange processes include alkali, alkali-earth, and/or transition metal doping of the article 14.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, the gas permeable window 10 may be suitable for use in a liquid interface additive manufacturing device 100. In such an embodiment, the gas permeable window 10 may include a glass, glass laminates, and/or glass composites. In the depicted embodiment, the device 100 includes a housing 104 holding a bath 108 of liquid polymer. The device 100 has a mechanical stepper 112 which may be moved into and out of the bath 108. The mechanical stepper 112 includes a build surface 116 on which a polymeric part 120 may be grown. The gas permeable window 10 is positioned along a bottom portion of the housing 104 and allows ultraviolet light 124 from a light source 128, which has been reflected off of a mirror 132, to enter the bath 108. In some embodiments, the gas permeable window 10 may be held in place via mechanical clamps. In a specific embodiment, the gas permeable window 10 may have approximate dimensions from about 10.16 centimeters (4 inches) by 17.78 centimeters (7 inches) to about 22.86 centimeters (9 inches) by 40.64 centimeters (16 inches).

The light source 128 may be a projector coupled with a controller and a memory and configured to project an image with the ultraviolet light 124 of sections of a polymeric part 120 to be constructed. As a portion of the polymeric part 120 is formed on the build surface 116, the mechanical stepper 112 is advanced upward, moving the polymeric part 120 away from the gas permeable window 26 and allowing fluid in the bath 108 to flow between the polymeric part 120 and the gas permeable window 26. The light source 128 then projects a different image of the polymeric part 120 which causes the bath 108 to polymerize on the polymeric part 120 such that the next portion of the polymeric part 120 is formed. To prevent the polymeric part 120 from forming directly on the gas permeable window 10, the gas channels 26 allow a polymerization inhibiting gas (e.g., oxygen) to be passed into the bath 108 thereby forming a “dead zone” where the polymerization of the bath 108 does not take place. The polymerization inhibiting gas is supplied via a gas source 136. The gas source 136 may provide gas at a pressure in a range of about 0.1 atmospheres to about 10 atmospheres. By determining the desired rate of growth of the polymeric part 120, the thickness of the dead zone, and therefore the required amount of polymerization inhibiting gas introduced, may be determined. By varying the diameter and number of gas channels 26 disposed through the gas permeable window 10, the necessary permeability may be met to allow proper part 120 growth.

As depicted in FIG. 4B and explained above, the gas channels 26 may be disposed at an angle through the article 14 of the gas permeable window 10. Such an angling allows for a greater transmittance of the ultraviolet light 124 through the window 10 because it is not attenuated by the glass article 14. Additionally, by aligning the gas channels 26 along the axis of the reflected ultraviolet light rays 124, less of the ultraviolet light 124 is scattered by the window 10 because it passes through the angled gas channels 26 without contacting the article 14. This is beneficial because as the ultraviolet light 124 is the mechanism by which the polymeric part 120 is shaped and grown, distortions to that light may result in optical artifacts being produced in the polymeric part 120.

In another embodiment, the gas permeable window 10 may be utilized in aeronautical applications where differential pressures across the gas permeable window 10 would desirably be minimized. For example, the gas permeable window 10 may form a pane of a dual pane window for an airplane. In such an embodiment, it would be desirable for gas trapped between the panes to be allowed to equalize with the air space of a cabin of the airplane such that the differential pressure does not cause the window to shatter or otherwise break.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A gas permeable glass window, comprising: an optically transparent glass article greater than about 0.1 millimeters in thickness defining a first surface and a second surface; anda plurality of gas channels disposed through the article from the first surface to the second surface, wherein: the gas channels occupy less than about 1.0% of a surface area of the article,the gas channels are configured such that the article has a gas permeability between about 10 barrers and about 2000 barrers, andthe gas channels are randomly distributed throughout the article and are spaced apart between about 5 microns and about 400 microns.

2. The gas permeable window of claim 1, wherein the gas permeability is between about 100 barrers and about 500 barrers.

3. The gas permeable window of claim 2, wherein the gas channels occupy less than about 0.05% of the surface area of the article.

4. The gas permeable window of claim 1, wherein the glass article comprises a plurality of stacked glass sheets, each glass sheet having a plurality of holes extending therethrough, and further wherein the glass sheets are stacked such that the holes are substantially aligned to form the gas channels.

5. The gas permeable window of claim 1, wherein the gas channels have an aspect ratio of between about 10:1 and about 12,000:1.

6. The gas permeable window of claim 1, wherein the gas channels have a diameter between about 0.25 microns and about 50.0microns and the gas permeability of the article is less than about 500 barrers.

7. The gas permeable window of claim 6, wherein the gas channels are disposed through the article at an angle between about 0° to about 15° relative to an axis orthogonal to the first and second surfaces.

8. The gas permeable window of claim 7, wherein the angle of the channels increases with an increasing distance from a central point.

9. A method of forming a gas permeable glass window, comprising: providing an optically transparent glass article having a first surface and a second surface;focusing a pulsed laser beam into a laser beam focal line, viewed along the beam propagation direction; andforming a plurality of gas channels in the article by repeatedly directing the laser beam focal line into the optically transparent glass article at an angle of incidence to the first surface of the glass article such that: (i) the gas channels disposed in a central region of the article are disposed at an angle of about 0° relative to an axis orthogonal to the first and second surfaces, and the angle of the gas channels disposed outside the central region increases with an increasing distance from the central region; or (ii) the gas channels are randomly distributed throughout the article and are spaced apart between about 5 microns and about 400 microns, the laser beam focal line generating an induced absorption within the article, each induced absorption producing a gas channel along the laser beam focal line from the first surface to the second surface within the article, wherein: a pulse duration of the pulsed laser beam is less than about 15 picoseconds, andthe number and diameter of the gas channels is determined based on a desired gas permeability through the article.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of enlarging the gas channels by applying an etching agent.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the angle of incidence to the surface of the substrate is varied such that the gas channels are disposed through the article at an angle between about 0° to about 15° , the angle of the channels increasing with an increasing distance from a central point.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the gas channels have an aspect ratio of between about 10:1 and about 12,000:1.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the gas permeability of the article is between about 100 barrers to about 500 barrers.

14. A gas permeable window comprising: an optically transparent article defining a first surface and a second surface; anda plurality of gas channels extending from the first surface to the second surface, wherein: the gas channels disposed in a central region of the article are disposed at an angle of about 0° relative to an axis orthogonal to the first and second surfaces, andthe angle of the gas channels disposed outside the central region increases with an increasing distance from the central region.

15. The gas permeable window of claim 14, wherein the gas channels have an aspect ratio of between about 10:1 and about 12,000:1 and occupy less than about 0.01% of a surface area of the article.

16. The gas permeable window of claim 15, wherein the optically transparent article comprises a plurality of stacked transparent sheets, each sheet having a plurality of holes extending therethrough, and further wherein the transparent sheets are stacked such that the holes are substantially aligned to form the gas channels.

17. The gas permeable window of claim 16, wherein the gas permeability of the article is greater than about 100 barrers.

18. The gas permeable window of claim 17, wherein the optically transparent article comprises a glass having at least one ion-exchange region.