Duration: 01.07.2016 - 31.12.2018
Partners: f-glas GmbH, Chemetall GmbH, kramer&best process engineering GmbH, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und –prüfung
Project type: INNO-KOM-Ost, MF160020
Topic:Optical purity tester for flat glass surfaces "Argus"

The aim of the project is to quantify the glass cleaning condition of flat glass before coating and to develop a near-production measurement technique to determine this cleaning condition.
The further development of imaging scattered light measurement in combination with Brewster's angle reflectometry is the basis of a scanning method that can quantitatively characterize highly sensitive and non-destructive changes of the surface such as dirt, dust, corrosion in early stages, but also thin layers and refractive index differences of the surface over a large area with high resolution.  By evaluating the reflectometry parameters reflectance and angle of reflection measured over a large area, typical defect images can be quantitatively recorded and classified. The method is suitable for quality assurance during production in order to ensure an optimum condition of the glass for the following refinement steps.  The formation of thin, film-like coatings (<50 nm), which change the properties of coatings, can also be detected in this way.
The intention is to create a new type of tool for ensuring high glass quality, which will also be used as an inline process in industrial practice in the future.