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Thin films of gold or silver on fused silica

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To the members, I have a pressing requirement to deposit very thin gold or silver films onto fused silica surfaces. Are there any techniques you can use to do this. In particular I need to deposit gold or silver (50-60 microns thick) without using a thick adhesion layer. If any of your companies are interested in fabricating this coating I would be delighted to hear from you.

Dr John Quinn
Dublin City University - Dublin

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We have different concepts of 'very thin', Dr. Quinn. 50-60 microns is exceptionally thick for gold plating, and I think it's been years since a jewelry plater or electronics supplier applied gold that heavy. Is there a typo in your inquiry?

Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

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The inquiry I mailed did possess a typo and should have read as follows.

I have a pressing requirement to deposit very thin gold or silver films onto fused silica surfaces (10 mm length of stripped declad optical fibre). Are there any solution phase electroless techniques one can use to do this. In particular I need to deposit gold or silver (40-60 nm thick) without using a thick adhesion layer. If any of your companies are interested in fabricating this coating I would be delighted to hear from you.

Dr John Quinn
- Dublin City University - Dublin

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March 1, 2009

Hi, again. PVD processes sound more promising for such a thin film on a non-conductive substrate. Still you should be able to do "two part silvering" (simultaneous spray of silver nitrate and a reducing agent) on a spin table, and gold plate it if you wish. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey