MICROSTRUCTURE OF LASER-FIRED, SOL-GEL-DERIVED TUNGSTEN-OXIDE FILMS

Half-micron-thick tungsten oxide films were deposited by the sol-gel m ethod onto indium tin oxide (ITO) coated soda lime silicate substrates . Following a 100 degrees C prebake, the samples were fired with a car bon dioxide laser at a variety of power densities and translation spee ds. The laser-fired tungsten oxide films were characterized by spectro photometry, electrochemistry, multiangle ellipsometry, and transmissio n electron microscopy and compared to-similar furnace-fired films. The data showed an increase in electrochromic response with increased fir ing temperature up to the point where crystallization of the tungsten oxide retarded electrochromic response. A window with graded electroch romic properties was made by laser firing.