Patent ID: 8136372
Filing Date: 2012-03-20
Classification: C03C,G03F

Abstract:
1. A method of making a fused silica article, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a fused silica boule, wherein the fused silica boule has been consolidated, and wherein the fused silica boule has a concentration of hydroxyl groups of less than about 100 ppm by weight; b. diffusing the deuterium into the fused silica boule at a predetermined temperature by: wherein steps (i) and (ii) are repeated for a predetermined time period, wherein the predetermined time period is sufficient to load a region of the fused silica boule with a combined concentration of protium and deuterium, and wherein the deuterium is present in an amount that is greater than its natural isotopic abundance; and c. annealing the fused silica boule after diffusing the deuterium into the fused silica boule at a predetermined annealing temperature to form the fused silica article, wherein the fused silica article has a combined concentration of protium and deuterium in a range from about 1×10