Hybrid Sol-gel thin films for magneto-optical applications: Chemical, optical and tribological study

For various applications, tribological studies on these new materials cannot be bypassed since these future components may be submitted to various mechanical solicitations. The resulting thin films, exhibiting a high transparency with a modulable refractive index, have a great potential to be used for components in integrated optical devices. The friction and wear behavior of the films has been investigated depending on the deposition conditions, mainly the organic conversion ratio ranging between 6 and 98%. The organic conversion ratio corresponds to the range of organic network within the film. For the lowest organic conversion ratios, the films do not withstand the friction tests and exhibit poor wear resistance. For conversion ratios above 60%, friction coefficients in the 0.1 range have been recorded, with a significant wear resistance. The tribological behaviors of such inorganic-organic hybrid nanocomposite thin films tested in standard conditions are discussed in agreement with their structure and composition. The potentiality to reach both wear resistance and outstanding optical properties will be evaluated.