abstract |
The present invention relates to a method of preparing glasses from metal alkoxides. Glasses are crack-free and prepared rapidly in a single step. Optically clear polysiloxane glasses as thin films may be prepared in a matter of minutes. A glow discharge curing method is disclosed which rapidly cures a wide range of condensation polymers, including polyamide resins and polymethylsiloxane glass films. Fracture-free films up to 100 mu m have been prepared. The glass films may be used as waveguides and to incorporate metals, donor-acceptor molecules and dyes. Stable, crack-free multiple-layered films may be prepared by the disclosed method which can be modified according to desired properties of the glasses. |