How do you make dichroic glass?

Making Dichroic Glass

To get this effect, thin layers of metallic oxides, such as titanium, silicon, and magnesium are deposited upon the surface of the glass in a high temperature, vacuum furnace.

The glass to be coated is carefully cleaned, and fastened to a planetary arm in the top of the furnace chamber. The oxides are placed in a crucible on the bottom of the chamber. Air inside of the chamber is removed with a high vacuum-producing cyro-pump, and the chamber is heated to 300 °F. The metallic oxides are vaporized by an electron beam, and the rotating glass target is evenly coated with many thin layers. The resulting color is determined by the individual oxide compositions and the coatings sequence, totaling about 700 angstroms thick, (3 to 5 millionths of an inch). All of this is tightly controlled by a computer. Since the total thickness is so minute, the filter has very little mechanical integrity of its own and must be supported on a mechanically stable substrate. Glass is the ideal candidate for this substrate. It is transparent, has adequate rigidity, is stable, withstands relatively high temperatures, and is not affected by moisture, solvents or most acids.

(taken from <a href="http://www.inspirationfarm.com/GG/articles/article9.html">Gossamer Glass Flamework Gallery's website<a>)

First answer by ID1132598206. Last edit by ID1132598206. Question popularity: 8 [recommend question]