This paper concentrates on sintering characteristics of nano-sized ceramic SiO 2 particles. The sintering process is studied as a function of temperature using a conventional furnace and using a laser beam. The underlying idea is to combine the nanoceramic sol-gel concept with inkjet technology and laser treatment. A solution containing nano-sized ceramic particles is fed to an inkjet nozzle that generates a software-controlled pattern on a surface. Afterwards the drops are exposed to an intense laser beam that gives rise to drying and densification of the drops, thereby forming a sintered ceramic layer. The question addressed in the paper is whether the laser treatment leads to the same densified layers as obtained with conventional heat treatments. It turns out that the morphologies are similar but that laser treatment provides much faster the same results.

This paper concentrates on the densification of sol gel derived thin nano-ceramic coatings by laser radiation and by furnace treatment. Deposition of the film is done by means of spin coating of Zirconia. The sintering of the layer is observed using a number of different measuring techniques. Especially, attention is paid to the densification behavior and the grain growth in the layer, investigated by scanning electron microscopy and ellipsometry. Also the different crystal phases observed are addressed. During sintering at a constant temperature a change in the sintering behavior with time is observed. This change is observed for most temperatures. Both the initial fast sintering of the process (for all sintering temperatures), and the final slow sintering (only at the higher sintering temperatures) are explained.

Densification of sol-gel derived thin nanoceramic observed change in sintering behaviour of the sol-gel layer. Both the initial fast sintering (for all sintering coatings by laser irradiation and furnace treatment is temperatures) and the final slow sintering (at only the discussed. Deposition of the zirconia coatings is by higher sintering temperatures) are explained. means of spin coating. Sintering of the coated layer is observed using a number of diVerent measuring tech-T he authors are in the Department of Applied Physics/ niques, with special attention paid to densification Netherlands Institute for Metals Research, University behaviour and to grain growth in the coating layer of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, T he using scanning electron microscopy and ellipsometry.Netherlands. Contribution to the 13th International T he diVerent crystal phases observed are also examined.Conference on Surface Modification T echnologies held During sintering at constant temperature a change in in Singapore on 8-10 September 1999. the sintering behaviour with time is observed at most temperatures. A theory is presented to explain this