Abstract Scope |
Ceramic nanomultilayers, which are layered thin films of alternating materials, were selected for their inherent optical performance in the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared wavelength range. AlN/Al₂O₃, TiO₂/SiO₂, and AlN/SiO₂ layer thicknesses were optimized via calculations for improved optical transmittance. Microstructural and interfacial changes were shown to depend on layer thicknesses and composition. Mechanical behavior of the non-optimized and optically optimized nanomultilayers was tested in compression and tension to understand the functional relationship between optical and mechanical performance. Nanoindentation, micropillar compression, and microtensile testing were used to ascertain hardness, fracture toughness, elastic modulus, and yield strength for analysis with respect to the films’ optical configurations. Overall, the optically optimized AlN/Al₂O₃ system, having a crystalline/amorphous interface, demonstrated the best mechanical performance, while the behavior of the optically optimized TiO₂/SiO₂, having an amorphous/amorphous interface, was the lowest. The identified fracture mechanisms highlight interfacial and microstructural features that affect both optical and mechanical behaviors. |