Effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone on the structure and laser damage resistance of sol–gel silica anti-reflective films

The effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on the structure and laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of sol–gel silica anti-reflective films is investigated. The results of dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and small angle X-ray scattering, show that the PVP molecules surrounded the silica sol particles through the strong hydrogen bonds between Si-OH groups and the PVP. As a result, the growth of silica particles was restricted and thus the interface layer between the silica particles and the solvent become thickened with PVP content. Furthermore, the PVP reduced the porosity of the film, so the anti-reflection properties of the film were weakened. A multi-fractal analysis showed that the appropriate addition of PVP, 1 weight percent (wt%), could improve the surface fractal structure of the film, but that higher PVP content resulted in reduced surface uniformity. The addition of PVP lead to improved LIDT.